80R9192 KCR-F
 
  By: Eissler H.B. No. 973
 
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 973:
 
  By:  Hochberg C.S.H.B. No. 973
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain educational employees to
participate or be enrolled in certain group health benefit
programs.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 22.004, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (k) and (l) to read as follows:
       (k)  Notwithstanding any other law, an employee of a district
participating in the uniform group coverage program under
Subsection (a) or providing group health coverage under Subsection
(b) whose resignation is effective after the last day of an
instructional year is entitled to participate or be enrolled in the
uniform group coverage plan or the group health coverage through
the first anniversary of the date participation in or coverage
under the uniform group coverage plan or the group health coverage
was first made available to district employees for the last
instructional year in which the employee was employed by the
district.
       (l)  If an employee's resignation is effective after the last
day of an instructional year, the district may not diminish or
eliminate the amount of a contribution available to the employee
under Chapter 1581, Insurance Code, before the last date on which
the employee is entitled to participation or enrollment under
Subsection (k).
       SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.
       SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.