By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 42
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of certain postdoctoral fellows and
  graduate students to participate in health benefit programs at
  public institutions of higher education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1551.1022 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1551.1022.  PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY:  CERTAIN
  POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS. (a)  An individual is
  eligible to participate in the group benefits program if the
  individual, at an institution of higher education:
               (1)  holds a postdoctoral fellowship; or
               (2)  holds other graduate fellowships awarded to the
  individual on a competitive basis that, either singly or in
  combination, are valued at not less than $10,000.
         (b)  An institution of higher education at which an
  individual holds a fellowship described by Subsection (a) is
  responsible for payment of the contributions for the individual.  
  Each participant shall contribute that portion of the cost of the
  group coverage selected by the individual that exceeds the amount
  of contribution funded by the institution.  All portions of the
  contribution funded by the institution shall be made in proportion
  to the source of funds from which the fellowship is paid.
         (c)  An institution of higher education shall, at the time of
  initial eligibility, notify each of the individuals eligible to
  participate in the group benefits program under Subsection (a) of
  the individual's eligibility to participate in the program.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 1601, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 1601.1021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1601.1021.  PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY:  CERTAIN
  POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS. (a)  An individual is
  eligible to participate in the uniform program if the individual,
  at an institution in a system:
               (1)  holds a postdoctoral fellowship; or
               (2)  holds other graduate fellowships awarded to the
  individual on a competitive basis that, either singly or in
  combination, are valued at not less than $10,000.
         (b)  An institution of higher education at which an
  individual holds a fellowship described by Subsection (a) is
  responsible for payment of the contributions for the individual.  
  Each participant shall contribute that portion of the cost of the
  group coverage selected by the individual that exceeds the amount
  of contribution funded by the institution.  All portions of the
  contribution funded by the institution shall be made in proportion
  to the source of funds from which the fellowship is paid.
         (c)  An institution of higher education shall, at the time of
  initial eligibility, notify each of the individuals eligible to
  participate in the group benefits program under Subsection (a) of
  the individual's eligibility to participate in the program.
         SECTION 3.  Effective January 1, 2010, Subsection (d),
  Section 1601.101, Insurance Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 4.  (a)  The board of trustees of the Employees
  Retirement System of Texas shall include coverage under Section
  1551.1022, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, in an insurance
  policy or contract or evidence of coverage delivered, issued for
  delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2010. The board of
  trustees may include coverage under Section 1551.1022, Insurance
  Code, as added by this Act, in an insurance policy or contract or an
  evidence of coverage delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed
  before January 1, 2010, if the board of trustees determines that the
  coverage may reasonably be included.
         (b)  The governing board of The University of Texas System or
  The Texas A&M University System, as applicable, shall include
  coverage under Section 1601.1021, Insurance Code, as added by this
  Act, in an insurance policy or contract or evidence of coverage
  delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1,
  2010. The governing board of a system may include coverage under
  Section 1601.1021, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, in an
  insurance policy or contract or an evidence of coverage delivered,
  issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2010, if the
  governing board determines that the coverage may reasonably be
  included.
         SECTION 5.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2009.