TITLE: Relating to eligibility of certain dependents for coverage under the state employee group benefits program.

SUMMARY: Relating to eligibility of certain dependents for coverage under the state employee group benefits program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to eligibility of certain dependents for coverage under the state employee group benefits program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1551.004(a), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) In this chapter, "dependent" with respect to an individual eligible to participate in the group benefits program means the individual's: (1) spouse; (2) unmarried child younger than 26 years of age; (3) child of any age who the board of trustees determines lives with or has the child's care provided by the individual on a regular basis if [: [(A)] the child is mentally or physically incapacitated to the extent that the child is dependent on the individual for care or support, as determined by the board of trustees; [(B) the child's coverage under this chapter has not lapsed; and [(C) the child is at least 26 years old and: [(i) was enrolled as a participant in the health benefits coverage under the group benefits program on the date of the child's 26th birthday; or [(ii) on the date the individual became eligible to participate in the group benefits program, was enrolled as the individual's dependent in health benefits coverage under Chapter 1575, 1579, or 1601 or in continuation of that dependent coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Pub. L. No. 99-272) and its subsequent amendments;] (4) child of any age who is unmarried, for purposes of health benefit coverage under this chapter, on expiration of the child's continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Pub. L. No. 99-272) and its subsequent amendments; and (5) ward, as that term is defined by Section 601, Texas Probate Code, who is 26 years of age or younger. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.