BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 687
88R1959 CJD-D	By: Cole et al. (Blanco)
	Health & Human Services
	5/12/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently in Texas, new parents covered under certain employer health benefit plans have only 31 days to enroll their newborn in their insurance plan. Concerns have been raised over the lack of sufficient time to do so given the many new responsibilities that come with parenthood.

H.B. 687 seeks to extend the period for new parents covered under these plans to enroll their newborn in their insurance plan from 31 days after the date the child is born to 60 days after that date.

H.B. 687 amends current law relating to the enrollment period for newborns under certain employer health benefit plans.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 846.258(b), Insurance Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that coverage of a newborn child of a participating employee under Section 846.258 (Coverage for Newborn Children) ends on the 61st day, rather than the 32nd day, after the date of the child's birth unless:

(1)� makes no change to this subdivision; and

(2)� not later than the 60th day, rather than the 31st day, after the date of birth, the arrangement receives notice of the birth and any required additional premium.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 1501.157(b), Insurance Code, to provide that coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under Section 1501.157 (Coverage for Newborn Children) ends on the 61st day, rather than the 32nd day, after the date of the child's birth unless, not later than the 60th day, rather than the 31st day, after the date of birth, the small employer health benefit plan issuer receives notice of the birth and any required additional premium.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 1501.607(b), Insurance Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under Section 1501.607 (Coverage for Newborn Children) ends on the 61st day, rather than the 32nd day, after the date of the child's birth unless:

(1) makes no change to this subdivision; and

(2) not later than the 60th day, rather than the 31st day, after the date of birth, the large employer health benefit plan issuer receives notice of the birth and any required additional premium.

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2024.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2023.