79R9681 MCK-D

By:  Averitt                                                      S.B. No. 1531



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring a contractor or subcontractor to provide 
health insurance to its employees to participate in certain state 
contracts.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 2155, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 2155.0771 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2155.0771.  HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE REQUIRED.  (a)  A 
vendor may not be awarded a state contract for goods or services 
that is subject to this subtitle or participate in the contract as a 
subcontractor, including a contract for which purchasing authority 
is delegated to a state agency, unless the vendor provides health 
benefits coverage at least equivalent to a standard health benefit 
plan offered in accordance with Article 3.80, Article 20A.09N, or 
Chapter 1507, Insurance Code, to each full-time employee and the 
employee's dependents.
	(b)  The vendor must pay 50 percent of the health insurance 
premiums for each full-time employee who participates in the 
insurance program.
	SECTION 2.  Section 2155.0771, Government Code, as added by 
this Act, applies only to a contract for the procurement of goods 
and services for which the solicitation of bids or proposals or 
similar expressions of interest is published on or after September 
1, 2005.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.