87R11492 MEW-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 2096
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to education employees uniform group health coverage.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 48.275(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 sum of
  the following amounts of funds only to pay contributions under a
  group health coverage plan for district or school employees:
               (1)   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, 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
               (2)  the difference between the amount necessary for
  the district or school to comply with Section 1581.052, 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, 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 48
  and 49, Education Code, and used by school districts and charter
  schools as provided by Section 48.275, 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.  Section 1581.052(a), Insurance Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A school district, other educational district,
  participating charter school, or regional education service center
  shall, for each fiscal year, use to provide health coverage an
  amount equal to the number of participating employees of the
  district, school, or service center multiplied by $2,400 [$1,800].
         SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
  school year.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.