2018 -- S 2398

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LC004607

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- HEALTH INSURANCE

BENEFITS

     

     Introduced By: Senator Ryan W. Pearson

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 36-12-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-12 entitled "Insurance

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Benefits" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     36-12-7. Eligibility for benefits.

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     (a) All persons in the service of the state on and after July 1, 1960, whether elected,

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appointed or employed, who elect to participate in an insurance contract or contracts shall be

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eligible to participate therein. The director, however, with the consent of the insurance company

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or companies, may by rule or regulation exclude those classes of temporary, part-time, or

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intermittent employees for whom insurance contracts shall be deemed to be impracticable.

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     (b) The director, with the consent of the insurance company or companies, may authorize

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the inclusion in insurance contracts of employees of public authorities, full-time employees of

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organizations representing state employees, or other appropriate agencies of the state as may be

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designated in the rules or regulations of the director, and may prescribe the rate of contribution

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required from such participating authorities, or other agencies.

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     (c) Any small employer, as defined in § 27-50-3(kk), may purchase health insurance for

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its employees through the group plan of health insurance benefits for state employees as selected

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pursuant to § 36-12-6.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2019.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- HEALTH INSURANCE

BENEFITS

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     This act would allow small business employers to purchase health insurance for its

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employees through the state employee group plan.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2019.

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