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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to participation in the state group benefits program by a |
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member of the Texas National Guard called to protect the border. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 437.212, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (f-1) and amending Subsection (g) to read as |
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follows: |
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(f-1) A member of the Texas National Guard who is not a |
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full-time or part-time state employee and who has been called to |
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state active duty by the governor for the purpose of providing |
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border security is eligible to participate in the state group |
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benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, and is |
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considered to be a full-time employee for the purpose of that |
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chapter, including the receipt of a full state contribution for |
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insurance coverage. Notwithstanding Section 1551.1055, Insurance |
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Code, eligibility for a member of the Texas National Guard who |
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elects to participate in the state group benefits program begins on |
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the first day of the month following the month in which the member |
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is called to state active duty. An application for group benefit |
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health insurance coverage under this subsection must be submitted |
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in accordance with procedures established by the Employees |
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Retirement System of Texas. |
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(g) The adjutant general and the Employees Retirement |
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System of Texas shall coordinate and consult to implement the |
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benefits program provided by Subsections [Subsection] (f) and (f-1) |
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and shall adopt a memorandum of understanding to establish: |
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(1) the procedures that a member of the Texas State |
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Guard or of the Texas National Guard may use to elect to participate |
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in the state group benefits program; and |
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(2) an appropriate method to annually confirm |
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continuing eligibility to participate in the group benefits |
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program. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |