TITLE: Relating to the eligibility of certain employees of public institutions of higher education to participate in a state group benefits program.

SUMMARY: Relating to the eligibility of certain employees of public institutions of higher education to participate in a state group benefits program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the eligibility of certain employees of public institutions of higher education to participate in a state group benefits program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1551.1021, Insurance Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) An adjunct faculty member at a public institution of higher education is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as an employee if the faculty member: (1) receives compensation for services rendered to a public institution of higher education as an adjunct faculty member; (2) was [has been] employed as a faculty member by the same public institution of higher education and [has] taught at least one course in the [each] regular fall and spring semester at the public institution of higher education in [each of] the preceding [three] academic year [years];and (3) is under contract or is scheduled to teach at least 12 semester credit hours in the academic year of coverage or, if the person is also employed by the public institution of higher education to perform nonteaching duties, is under contract or is scheduled to teach at least six semester credit hours in the academic year of coverage and has been approved by the public institution of higher education to participate in the group benefits program. (a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(3), an adjunct faculty member at a public institution of higher education who is a professional librarian is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as an employee if the faculty member receives compensation for services rendered to a public institution of higher education as an adjunct faculty member. SECTION 2. The board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas shall include coverage under Section 1551.1021, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, in an insurance policy or contract or evidence of coverage delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2014. The board of trustees may include coverage under Section 1551.1021, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, in an insurance policy or contract or an evidence of coverage delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2014, if the board of trustees determines that the coverage may reasonably be included. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.