84R13514 TSR-F

By: King of Parker H.B. No. 2123

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2123:

By: King of Taylor C.S.H.B. No. 2123

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to participation of the state military forces in the state group benefits program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 437.212, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (f) and (g) and adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:

(f) A member of the state military forces [volunteer in the Texas State Guard] who is not a full-time or part-time state employee and who has been on state active duty or on state training or other duty for more than 60 [90] days is, notwithstanding Section 1551.1055, Insurance Code, eligible to participate in the state group benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, and is considered to be a full-time state employee for the purposes of that chapter, including the receipt of a full state contribution for [to purchase health or dental] insurance coverage, subject to Subsection (f-1) and the following requirements:

(1) the participant must be a member of the state military forces [Texas State Guard] at the time of enrollment in the group benefits program; and

(2) [the participant must pay the full cost of health or dental insurance coverage under the group benefits program and may not receive a state contribution for premiums; and

[(3)] an application under this subsection for [group benefit health or dental] insurance coverage must be submitted in accordance with procedures established by the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

(f-1) The department may require payment of the cost associated with paying the state contribution of a service member who elects to participate in the state group benefits program under Subsection (f) by the person responsible for paying for the mission for which the service member is on state active duty or state training and other duty. The department shall reimburse the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas for that cost.

(g) The adjutant general and the Employees Retirement System of Texas shall coordinate and consult to implement the benefits program provided by Subsection (f) and shall adopt a memorandum of understanding to establish:

(1) the procedures that a member of the state military forces [Texas State Guard] may use to elect to participate in the state group benefits program; [and]

(2) an appropriate method to annually confirm continuing eligibility to participate in the group benefits program; and

(3) an appropriate method of administering the reimbursement of the state contribution as required by Subsection (f-1).

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.