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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain claims against the third-party administrator or |
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vendor of health benefits for the employees of a political |
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subdivision. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 180, Local Government Code, is amended |
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by adding Section 180.008 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 180.008. LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT |
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CLAIMS. Notwithstanding any other law, a political subdivision's |
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third-party health benefits administrator or other health benefits |
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vendor is liable for a claim based on a dispute under an employment |
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benefit, including health benefit plan coverage, provided to an |
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employee of the political subdivision by the political subdivision |
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if the underlying claim is based on the vendor's duty under the |
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vendor's agreement with the political subdivision. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 180, Local Government |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 180. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AFFECTING OFFICERS AND |
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EMPLOYEES OF MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, AND [CERTAIN] OTHER LOCAL |
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GOVERNMENTS |
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SECTION 3. Section 180.008, Local Government Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to an action that commences on or after |
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the effective date of this Act. An action that commences before the |
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effective date of this Act is governed by the law applicable to the |
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action immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |