TITLE: Relating to state assistance for school employees uniform group health coverage.

SUMMARY: Relating to state assistance for school employees uniform group health coverage.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to state assistance for school employees uniform group health coverage. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 42.260(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 following amount of funds only to pay contributions under a group health coverage plan for district or school employees: (1) an amount equal to 75 percent of the amount certified for the district or school under Subsection (b); or (2) if the following amount is less than the amount specified by Subdivision (1), the sum of: (A) 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 [9, Article 3.50-7],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 (B) the difference between the amount necessary for the district or school to comply with Section 1581.052 [Section 3, Article 3.50-9],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, [2 of that article] 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 41 and 42, Education Code, and used by school districts and charter schools as provided by Section 42.260, 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. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.