An Act To Extend Coverage under the State's Mini-COBRA Law
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0060
Committee Amendment CA_A_H48 (House)
Amends: 24-A MRSA §2809-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " 
to H.P. 53, L.D. 60, Bill, "An Act To Extend 
Coverage under the State's Mini-COBRA Law" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §2809-A, sub-§ll, ~A-l, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 574, 
§ 1, is amended to read: 
A-I. A member or employee is eligible for continued coverage under this section 
only if the member or employee's group insurance coverage terminated for one of the 
following reasons: 
(1) The member or employee was temporarily laid off; 
(2) The member or employee was permanently laid off on or after the effective 
date of this paragraph and is eligible for premium assistance pursuant to fedeml 
law providing premium assistance for laid off employees who continue covemge 
under their former employer's group health plan as determined by the 
superintendent; or 
(3) The member or employee lost employment because of an inj ury or disease 
that the employee claims to be compensable under fonner Title 39 or Title 39-A. 
Sec. 2. 24-A MRSA §2809-A, sub-§l1, ~F, as amended by PL 1991, c. 885, Pt. 
E, §30 and affected by §47, is further amended to read: 
F. 
Except as provided in paragraph G, coverage provided under this section 
continues and may not be terminated until one year 18 months from the last day of 
work. 
Sec. 3. Application. The requirements of this Act apply to a member or employee 
who, on or after the effective date of this Act, loses employment or who has group 
coverage pursuant to an election of continuation of coverage as described in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 2809-A, subsection I I. ' 
Page I - 12SLR0214(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
\ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 53, L.D. 60 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the minority report of the committee and replaces the bill. 
Under existing federal and state law, employees who are laid off are eligible to 
continue health coverage under their employers' group health insurance plans at their own 
expense. The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, known 
as COBRA, contains provisions that apply to employers with 20 or more employees and 
generally allows coverage to continue for up to 18 months. Current state law, which 
applies to employers with fewer than 20 employees, allows the employee to continue 
coverage for up to 12 months. This amendment extends the availability of coverage up to 
months for those eligible under state law. 
The amendment also removes the 
requirement that those employees who are permanently laid off must be eligible for 
federal premium assistance. The requirements of the amendment that extend availability 
of coverage apply to any member or employee who, on or after the effective date of the 
law, loses employment or has group coverage pursuant to an election of continuation of 
coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 24-A, section 
2809-A, subsection It. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 02124111 frac 
LD60 
LR 214(02) 
An Act To Extend Coverage under the State's Mini-COBRA Law 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "~,, 
Committee: Insurance and Financial Services 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to state agencies or programs is expected to be minor and can be absorbed utilizing existing 
budgeted resources. 
LR0214(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1