An Act Regarding Maine Public Employees Retirement System Life Insurance Policies . Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the . following: . Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to provide beneficiaries of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System's group life insurance and group accidental death insurance benefits as soon as possible; and Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1657
Committee Amendment CA_A_S376 (Senate)
Amends: 5 MRSA §18057, 5 MRSA §18657

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "It " to S.P. 622, L.D. 1657, Bill, "An Act 
Regarding Maine Public Employees Retirement System Life Insurance Policies" 
. Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
. following: 
. 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order to provide beneficiaries of the Maine Public Employees Retirement 
System's group life insurance and group accidental death insurance benefits as soon as 
possible; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §18057, as amended by PL 1991, c. 480, §5, is further amended 
to read: 
§18057. Payments 011 death 
Any amount of group life insurance and group accidental death insurance in force on 
any employee at the date of fl-i.s the employee's death sflatI. must be paid, upon the 
establishment of a valid claim, in the following order of precedence. 
.1. Designated beneficiary. 
First, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries whom the 
employee designated in writing, if the written designation was received in the retirement 
system office or postmarked before the employee's death. 
2. Widow 01' widower. Second, if no beneficiary qualifies under subsection 1, to the 
widow or widower of the employee. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMlTIEE AMENDMENT .;4" to S.P. 622, LD_ 1657 
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Executor or personal representative. 
Third. if no one qualifies under 
subsection 1 or 2. to the employee's duly appointed executor or personal representative 
for distribution according to the provisions of a lawfully executed will. This subsection is 
applicable only if the retirement system is notified of the appointment of the executor or 
personal representative within 6 months ofthe date of death of the employee. 
3. Children. +fl.i.fEl Fourth, if no one qualifies under subsection I Sf,. 2 or 2-A, to the 
child or children of the employee and descendants of deceased children by representation. 
4. Parents. Fooftfl Fifth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1, 2. 2-A or 3, to the 
surviving parent or parents of the employee. 
5. Executor or consen'ator. Fifth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1, 2, 3 or 1, 
to the duly appointed executor or conservator or tl1e estate oftl1e employee. 
6. Next of kin. Sixth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1, 2, 2-A, 3, or 4 er--§., to 
other next of kin of the employee entitled under the laws of domicile of that employee at 
the time of1ti5 the employee's death. 
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §18657, as amended by PL1991, c. 480, §10, is fUliher amended 
to read: 
§18657. Payments on death 
Any amount of group life insurance and group accidental death insurance in force on 
any employee at the date of 1ti5 the employee's death sfl.a.I..l must be paid, upon the 
establishment of a valid claim, in the following order of precedence. 
1. Designated beneficiary. First, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries whom the 
employee designated in writing, if the written designation was received in the retirement 
system office or postmarked before the employee's death. 
2. Widow or widower. Second, if there is no beneficiary qualifying qualifies under 
subsection 1, to the widow or widower of the employee. 
2-A. 
Executor or personal representative. 
Third. if no one qualifies under 
subsection 1 or 2. to the employee's duly appointed executor or personal representative 
for distribution according to the provisions of a lawfully executed will., This subsection is 
applicable only if the retirement system is notified of the appointment of the executor or 
personal representative within 6 months of the date of death of the employee. 
3. Children. +fl.i.fEl Fourth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1 Sf,. 2 or 2-A, to the 
child or children of the employee and descendants of deceased children by representation. 
4. Parents. Fooftfl Fifth, ifno one qualifies under subsection 1,2. 2-A or 3, to the 
surviving parent or parents of the employee. 
. 
5. Executor or conservator. Fifth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1, 2, 3 or 1, 
to the duly appointed executor or conservator or the estate of the employee. 
6. Next of lun. Sixth, if no one qualifies under subsection 1, 2, 2-A, 3, or 4 er-§., to 
other next of kin of the employee entitled under the laws of domicile of that employee at 
the time of1ti5 the employee's death. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,A "to S.P. 622, L.D. 1657 
Sec. 3. Retroactivity; application. This Act applies retroactively to January 1, 
2009 to group life insurance and group accidental death insurance claims that have not 
been paid by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System on the effective date of this 
Act.' 
Amend the bill by inseliing at the end before the summary the following: 
'Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill and moves the deceased employee's duly appointed 
executor or personal representative of the employee's will after widow or widower in 
precedence for payment of group life insurance and group accidental death insurance 
benefits by the Maine Public Employees Retirement System to state employees and 
teachers. The amendment also amends the law governing coverage for employees of 
pmiicipating local districts in order to maintain consistency across the program. The 
amendment establishes a time frame within which an executor or personal representative 
must contact the retirement system in order for the claim proceeds to be distributed to the 
estate. The amendment removes all references to "conservator." The amendment makes 
the changes retroactive to January I, 2009 for group life insurance and group accidental 
death claims not yet paid by the retirement system. The amendment also adds an 
emergency preamble and clause to the bill. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT