Honorable Robert Duncan, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1686 by Ellis (Relating to group health insurance coverage for persons wrongfully imprisoned.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to require that group health insurance be provided to certain wrongfully imprisoned persons that are entitled to receive compensation under Subsection (a) from the Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) as if the person were a TDCJ employee. The claimant would be eligible to receive coverage for a period of time equal to the period of time the claimant served for the crime for which the claimant was wrongfully imprisoned and the claimant's dependents or family members would not be eligible for coverage. The bill would amend the Insurance Code, to correspond with the revision to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
The bill would outline the procedures required for a claimant to apply for coverage under the TDCJ health insurance plan. The bill would require a statement by the Comptroller that the claimant is eligible for compensation.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice anticipates no significant fiscal impact to the State from the bill.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 696 Department of Criminal Justice