BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 437

By: Raney

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is a growing recognition of the need to reassure the state and university system employees who must leave their employment for military service that their health benefits will be restored immediately on their return to employment. Military deployments to the border and to overseas locations are becoming more frequent and as those deployments increase so do concerns and worries regarding any possible ambiguity in state law that has the potential to leave affected families and individuals in a coverage gap. H.B. 437 seeks to resolve any such ambiguity and ensure that these employees are eligible for health benefits immediately on their reemployment after military service.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 437 amends the Insurance Code to establish that eligibility for coverage under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act or the State University Employees Uniform Insurance Benefits Act for an employee reemployed after military service begins on the first day of reemployment on which the employee performs services for a state agency or university system, as applicable.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.