87R5776 SCL-F
 
  By: Metcalf H.B. No. 2171
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the eligibility of certain retired firefighters and
  emergency medical services providers to purchase continued health
  benefits coverage.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 175.001, Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 175.001.  APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies to a
  person who:
               (1)  retires from:
                     (A)  county employment in a county with a
  population of 75,000 or more;
                     (B)  employment by an appraisal district in a
  county with a population of 75,000 or more; [or]
                     (C)  municipal employment in a municipality with a
  population of 25,000 or more; or
                     (D)  employment as a firefighter or emergency
  medical services provider by an emergency services district located
  wholly or partly in a county with a population of 200,000 or more;
  and
               (2)  is entitled to receive retirement benefits from a
  county, appraisal district, or municipal retirement plan or
  emergency services district.
         SECTION 2.  (a)  Chapter 175, Local Government Code, as
  amended by this Act, applies according to its terms to all eligible
  persons who leave employment with an emergency services district on
  or after January 1, 2022.
         (b)  An emergency services district that is required by
  Chapter 175, Local Government Code, as amended by this Act, to
  provide continued health benefits coverage but that is not allowed
  to provide the coverage under the terms of the district's existing
  group health plan shall ensure that the required continued health
  benefits coverage is provided for in any new plan that is adopted by
  the district on or after January 1, 2022, unless the district is
  exempted under Section 175.007, Local Government Code.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.