By: Rodriguez S.B. No. 659
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to state assistance for school employees uniform group
  health coverage.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 42.260(c), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a
  school district or participating charter school may use the
  following amount of funds only to pay contributions under a group
  health coverage plan for district or school employees:
               (1)  an amount equal to 75 percent of the amount
  certified for the district or school under Subsection (b); or
               (2)  if the following amount is less than the amount
  specified by Subdivision (1), the sum of:
                     (A)  the amount determined by multiplying the
  amount of $1,800 [$900] or the amount specified in the General
  Appropriations Act for that year for purposes of the state
  contribution under Section 1579.251 [9, Article 3.50-7], Insurance
  Code, by the number of district or school employees who participate
  in a group health coverage plan provided by or through the district
  or school; and
                     (B)  the difference between the amount necessary
  for the district or school to comply with Section 1581.052 [Section
  3, Article 3.50-9] Insurance Code, for the school year and the
  amount the district or school is required to use to provide health
  coverage under Section 1581.051, Insurance Code, [2 of that
  article] for that year.
         SECTION 2.  Section 1579.251, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1579.251.  STATE ASSISTANCE.  (a)  The state shall
  assist employees of participating school districts and charter
  schools in the purchase of group health coverage under this chapter
  by providing for each covered employee the amount of $1,800 [$900]
  each state fiscal year or a greater amount as provided by the
  General Appropriations Act.  The state contribution shall be
  distributed through the school finance formulas under Chapters 41
  and 42, Education Code, and used by school districts and charter
  schools as provided by Section 42.260, Education Code.
         (b)  The state shall assist employees of participating
  regional education service centers and educational districts
  described by Section 1579.002(5)(B) in the purchase of group health
  coverage under this chapter by providing to the employing service
  center or educational district, for each covered employee, the
  amount of $1,800 [$900] each state fiscal year or a greater amount
  as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
  school year.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.