reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32a - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of the Commonwealth › Section 32 - Coverage for Annual Mental Health Wellness Examination

Section 32. (a) For the purpose of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:
''Licensed mental health professional'', a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry, a licensed psychologist, a licensed independent clinical social worker, a licensed certified social worker, a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed supervised mental health counselor, a licensed psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist, a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, a licensed physician assistant who practices in the area of psychiatry, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J, or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist.
''Mental health wellness examination'', a screening or assessment that seeks to identify any behavioral or mental health needs and appropriate resources for treatment. The examination may include: (i) observation, a behavioral health screening, education and consultation on healthy lifestyle changes, referrals to ongoing treatment, mental health services and other necessary supports and discussion of potential options for medication; and (ii) age-appropriate screenings or observations to understand a covered person's mental health history, personal history and mental or cognitive state and, when appropriate, relevant adult input through screenings, interviews and questions.
''Primary care provider'', a health care professional qualified to provide general medical care for common health care problems, who: (i) supervises, coordinates, prescribes or otherwise provides or proposes health care services; (ii) initiates referrals for specialist care; and (iii) maintains continuity of care within the scope of practice.
(b) Any coverage offered by the commission to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth insured under the group insurance commission shall provide coverage for an annual mental health wellness examination that is performed by a licensed mental health professional or primary care provider, which may be provided by the primary care provider as part of an annual preventive visit. The examination shall be covered with no patient cost-sharing; provided, however, that cost-sharing shall be required if the applicable plan is governed by the Federal Internal Revenue Code and would lose its tax-exempt status as a result of the prohibition on cost-sharing for this service.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32a - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of the Commonwealth › Section 33 - Federally-Defined Preventive Services

[ Text of section added by 2023, 28, Sec. 23 effective July 1, 2023. See 2023, 28, Sec. 115.]
Section 33. (a) For the purposes of this section, "federally-defined preventive services'' shall mean: (i) evidence-based items or services that currently have a rating of "A'' or "B'' in the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; (ii) immunizations with routine use in children, adolescents and adults that currently have a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved; (iii) with respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration; and (iv) with respect to women, such additional preventive care and screenings not described in clause (i) as provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration; provided, however, that "federally-defined preventive services'' shall include all other preventive services not subject to cost-sharing, as required by established federal regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance issued on or before July 1, 2023.
(b) The commission shall provide to an active or retired employee of the commonwealth who is insured under the group insurance commission coverage for federally-defined preventive services.
(c)(1) Coverage provided pursuant to this section shall not be subject to any cost-sharing, including, but not limited to, co-payments, co-insurance or any deductible, as required by established federal regulatory and sub-regulatory guidance issued on or before July 1, 2023.
(2) Benefits for an enrollee pursuant to this section shall be the same for the enrollee's covered spouse and covered dependents.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit: (i) coverage for items and services in addition to those recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the federal Health Resources and Services Administration; or (ii) denying coverage for items or services not recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
(e) If a recommendation pursuant to subsection (a) is changed during a plan year, a carrier shall not be required to make changes to the health plan during the plan year.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 1 - Purpose of Chapter

Section 1. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a plan of group life insurance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance and group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for certain persons in the service of counties, except Worcester county, cities, towns and districts and their dependents.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 2a - Traffic Supervisors as Employees

Section 2A. In cities and towns which accept the provisions of this section, traffic supervisors shall be considered employees under this chapter, notwithstanding the definition of ''Employee'' in section two.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 2b - Reserve, Permanent-Intermittent or Call Firefighters as Employees

Section 2B. In governmental units which accept the provisions of this section, reserve, permanent-intermittent or call firefighters shall be considered employees under this chapter, notwithstanding the definition of ''Employee'' in section two, and upon retirement shall be considered retirees under this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 5 - Amount of Employee Insurance Coverage; Schedules of Benefits; Determination; Excess Coverage, Withholding of Premium

Section 5. The amount of group life insurance on each employee and the amount of group accident death and dismemberment insurance on each employee shall be established by the appropriate public authority and shall be not less than two thousand dollars except that those employees desiring to elect optional coverage in excess of the amount or amounts so established may do so as provided in section eleven A. The schedules of hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance benefits and the amount to be provided each employee and his dependents shall be determined by the appropriate public authority subject to the amount of the appropriation made available for such purpose, provided, however, that to the extent such schedules exceed the schedule of benefits established under section eleven of this chapter, the premium applicable to such excess coverage shall be withheld from each payment of salary or wages of such employee and the governmental unit shall make no contribution applicable to such excess coverage. As determined by the rules and regulations of the appropriate public authority all insurance coverages authorized by this chapter may be considered as separable for any employee, retired employee or deferred retiree who applies for any part of such coverage.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 6 - Employees to Furnish Information; Certificate or Booklet of Coverage

Section 6. Each employee to whom this chapter applies shall furnish the treasurer of the governmental unit, in such form as he shall prescribe, such information as is necessary to enroll himself alone, or himself and his dependents, under the policy or policies of insurance.
Each employee shall receive a certificate or booklet from the insurance company, savings bank or non-profit hospital, medical, or other service corporation describing the coverage for which the employee has enrolled. The certificate or booklet shall be printed at the expense of such insurance company, savings bank or nonprofit hospital, medical, dental, or other service corporation which has issued the policy or policies of insurance, and shall be approved by the appropriate public authority prior to distribution.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 7 - Premiums; Withholding, Contribution; Direct Payment

Section 7. (a) With respect to any period of insurance which is in effect for an active or retired employee and dependent there shall be withheld from each payment of salary, wages, other compensation, pension or retirement allowance, subject to the provisions of section nine A, fifty per cent of the premium for the insurance of the employee and his dependents and the governmental unit shall contribute the remaining fifty per cent of such premium. The governmental unit shall also contribute fifty per cent of any additional premium which may be required for coverage of an employee's dependent child who is nineteen years of age or over and mentally or physically incapable of earning his own living.
(b) If an employee is entitled to receive, during a calendar month, salary, wages or other compensation, and the premium has not been withheld from said salary, wages or other compensation, he may continue his insurance in effect by paying directly to the governmental unit the premium which would otherwise have been deducted from his salary or wages and said governmental unit shall contribute the remaining fifty per cent of the cost of the premium. If an employee is not entitled to receive salary, wages or other compensation for a calendar month, for purposes of this chapter, he shall be deemed to have been granted a leave of absence without pay, and shall make payment for the entire cost of his insurance to the governmental unit as aforesaid, and there shall be no contribution by the governmental unit for such employee's insurance. If an employee is not entitled to receive salary, wages or other compensation for any calendar month, due to illness of such employee and not because of illness of his immediate family, for purposes of this chapter he shall be deemed to have been granted sick leave without pay, and subject to the rules and regulations of the appropriate public authority, said employee shall make payment for fifty per cent of the cost of his insurance to the treasurer of the governmental unit, and such governmental unit shall contribute the remaining fifty per cent of said premium.
(c) All amounts withheld from an employee's salary, wages or other compensation as provided in paragraph (a) of this section and all amounts paid by an employee as provided in paragraph (b) of this section and all amounts withheld from retired employees as retirement allowances under the provisions of section nineteen A of chapter thirty-two together with the contribution of the governmental unit as provided in paragraph (a) shall be paid by the treasurer of the governmental unit to the carrier or carriers entitled to the premium.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 8 - Dividends, Refunds and Rate Credits to Inure to Benefit of Governmental Unit

Section 8. Any dividend or other refund or rate credit shall inure to the benefit of the governmental unit or to the governmental units participating under section eleven in proportion to the gross premiums paid by each governmental unit.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9a - Political Subdivision; Contribution for Insurance Premiums of Retired Employees

Section 9A. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners, a city having a Plan D or a Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council, any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor, a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee and a district by vote of the district at a district meeting, may provide that it will pay one-half of the amount of the premium to be paid by a retired employee under the first sentence of section 9. A town shall provide for the payment by vote of the town at a town meeting or if a majority of the votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed on the official ballot to be used at an election in said town is in the affirmative:— ''Shall the town pay one-half the premium costs payable by a retired employee for group life insurance and for group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance?''
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9b - Death of Employee or Retired Employee; Continuation of Insurance Coverage by Spouse

Section 9B. Upon the death of an employee or a retired employee, his surviving spouse may continue the group general or blanket insurance coverage for himself or his dependents providing hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health benefits, until the remarriage or death of said surviving spouse; provided, that application for such insurance coverage shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with its rules and regulations; and provided, further, that said surviving spouse shall pay the entire cost of such premiums without any contribution by the governmental unit.
Said appropriate public authority shall determine the amount of said premium which may be the entire average group premium for hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health benefits applicable to an employee, an employee and his dependents, or a premium computed on a basis considered by said authority to be equitable in relation to all insured employees and all former employees who have retired and who have continued such coverage.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9c - Death of Fire Fighter; Continuation of Insurance Coverage by Spouse; Contribution by Governmental Unit; Acceptance of Provisions

Section 9C. Upon the death of an insured employee who was killed, or who died from injuries received, in the performance of his duty as a fire fighter his surviving spouse may continue the group hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for herself and her dependents under age nineteen, until the remarriage or death of said surviving spouse; provided that application for such insurance shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with its rules and regulations; and provided, further that said surviving spouse shall pay fifty per cent of a premium the amount of which may be changed by the governmental unit from time to time as part of the total cost for such hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance. The governmental unit shall contribute the remaining fifty per cent of said premium together with payment in full of a subsidiary or additional rate which rate may be lower or higher than the governmental unit's share of the aforesaid premium.
This section shall take effect in a county, except Worcester county, city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner:—In a county by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; and in a town by submission for acceptance to the registered voters in the form of the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election:—''Shall the town pay one half of a premium for group hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for the surviving widow and dependents of an insured fire fighter who was killed or who died from injuries received in the performance of his duty, with the survivor paying the remaining one half, and shall the town also pay a subsidiary or additional rate?'' Section nine B shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9c1/2 - Death of Call, Volunteer, Intermittent, Part-Time or Reserve Firefighter, Emergency Medical Services Provider or Police Officer; Continuation of Insurance Coverage by Spouse and Dependents

Section 9C1/2. Upon the death of a call, volunteer, intermittent, part-time or reserve firefighter, emergency medical services provider or police officer who, while in the performance of duties and as a result of an incident, accident or violence, is killed or sustains injuries which are the direct and proximate cause of death, the surviving spouse and dependents, including children under the age of 26, may continue to participate in group hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance until the remarriage or death of the surviving spouse. Application for such insurance shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with its rules and regulations. The surviving spouse shall also file in the office of the city auditor, town accountant or officer having similar duties, a copy of the marriage certificate of the surviving spouse. The municipality shall charge the surviving spouse 100 per cent of the premium for such hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance.
This section shall take effect in a city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner: in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter, by a majority vote of its city council; in any other city, by a vote of the city council and approval by the mayor; in a district, by a vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; and in a town, by a vote of the registered voters at a town meeting.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9d - Insurance Premium Payable by Surviving Spouse; Contribution by Political Subdivisions

Section 9D. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council, any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; a welfare district by vote of the district welfare committee; a district established under the provisions of section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; may provide that it will pay one-half of the amount of the premium to be paid by the surviving spouse of an insured employee or a retired employee for hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance continued as provided in section nine B. A town shall provide for such payment either by a vote of the town, or by a majority of affirmative votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election in said town:—''Shall the town pay one-half of the premium costs payable by the surviving spouse of an employee or retired employee for group general, or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental or other health insurance?''
Payment of the entire premium by the surviving spouse as required by section nine B shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9d1/2 - Insurance Premium Payable by Surviving Spouse; Additional Contribution by Political Subdivisions

Section 9D1/2. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council, any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; a welfare district by vote of the district welfare committee; a district established under the provisions of section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; may provide that it will pay in addition to fifty per cent of a stated monthly payment, as described in section nine D, a subsidiary or additional amount, with a correspondingly lesser amount to be paid by the surviving spouse of an insured or retired employee.
A town may provide for such payment by vote of the town or if a majority of the votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed on the official ballot to be used at an election in said town is in the affirmative:—''Shall the town, in addition to the payment of fifty per cent of premium costs payable by the surviving spouse of an employee or retired employee for group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical and other health insurance pay an additional or subsidiary rate?'' Section nine D shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9d3/4 - Insurance Premium Payable by Surviving Spouse; Additional Contribution by Political Subdivisions Not Accepting Provisions of Secs. 9d or 9d1/2

Section 9D3/4. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council, and any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; a welfare district by vote of the district welfare committee; a district established under the provisions of section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; may if such county, city or district has not accepted the provisions of sections nine D or nine D1/2, provide that it will pay an amount less than one-half the amount of the premium to be paid by the surviving spouse of an insured employee or a retired employee for hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance continued as provided in section nine B. A town which has not accepted the provisions of section nine D or nine D1/2 shall provide for such payment either by vote of the town, or by a majority of affirmative votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election in said town: ''Shall the town pay an amount up to one-half of the premium costs payable by the surviving spouse of an employee or retired employee for group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental or other health insurance?''
Payment of the entire premium by the surviving spouse as required by section nine B shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9e - Subsidiary or Additional Rate; Payment by Political Subdivisions; Premium Payment by Retired Employee; Acceptance of Section

Section 9E. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; a welfare district by vote of the district welfare committee; a health district established under section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee may provide that it will pay in addition to fifty per cent of a stated monthly premium as described in section seven A for contracts of insurance authorized by sections three and eleven C, a subsidiary or additional rate which may be lower or higher than the aforesaid premium and the remaining fifty per cent of said premium is to be paid by a retired employee under the provisions of the first sentence of section nine. A town shall provide for such payment by vote of the town or if a majority of the votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed on the official ballot to be used at an election in said town is in the affirmative:—''Shall the town, in addition to the payment of fifty per cent of a premium for contributory group life, hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for employees retired from the service of the town, and their dependents, pay a subsidiary or additional rate?'' Section nine A shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section. No governmental unit, however, shall provide different subsidiary or additional rates to any group or class within that unit.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9f - Retired Local Employees; Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage; Acceptance of Section

Section 9F. A county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; a district, except as herein provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; a veterans' service district by vote of the district board; a health district established under section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee, shall provide that an employee receiving a pension or annuity allowance having retired from the governmental unit may be insured for such greater amount of group life insurance and for such greater amount of group accidental death and dismemberment insurance as determined by the governmental unit, in lieu of the one thousand dollars of group life insurance as provided in section nine. A town shall provide such insurance coverage if approved by vote of the board of selectmen, or by a majority of the votes cast if in the affirmative in answer to the following question which shall be printed on the official ballot:
''Shall the town provide (X) thousand dollars of group life insurance and (X) thousand dollars of accidental death and dismemberment insurance for a retired employee in lieu of one thousand dollars of group life insurance?''
Acceptance of this section as aforesaid by a governmental unit having accepted section eleven E shall hereby authorize the commission to provide such greater amount of group life insurance and of such greater amount of group accidental death and dismemberment insurance, in lieu of one thousand dollars of group life insurance, to retired teachers insured under section twelve of chapter thirty-two A.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9g - Surviving Spouse of Police Officer Killed in Line of Duty; Continuation of Group Coverage; Payment of Premiums; Acceptance of Section

Section 9G. Upon the death of an insured employee who was killed, or who died from injuries received, in the performance of his duty as a police officer, a surviving spouse may continue the group health and dental insurance for the benefit of such spouse and any dependents under age nineteen, until the remarriage or death of said surviving spouse; provided that application for such insurance shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with its rules and regulations; and provided, further, that said surviving spouse shall pay fifty per cent of a premium the amount of which may be changed by the governmental unit from time to time as part of the total cost for such health and dental insurance. The governmental unit shall contribute the remaining fifty per cent of said premium together with payment in full of a subsidiary or additional rate which rate may be lower or higher than the governmental unit's share of the aforesaid premium.
This section shall take effect in a county, except Worcester county, city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner:—In a county by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; and in a town by submission for acceptance to the registered voters in the form of the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election:—''Shall the town pay one half of a premium for group health and dental insurance for the surviving spouse and dependents of an insured police officer who was killed or who died from injuries received in the performance of duty, with the surviving spouse paying the remaining one half, and shall the town also pay a subsidiary or additional rate?'' Section nine B shall not apply in any governmental unit which accepts the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 9i - Employees on Military Leave of Absence for Active Service; Payment of Premiums; Acceptance of Section

Section 9I. A governmental unit which has accepted the provisions of section ten and which accepts the provisions of this section as hereinafter provided, shall consider an employee on a military leave of absence because said employee is a member of the army national guard or air national guard or a reservist in the armed forces of the United States called to active service in the armed forces of the United States, for the purposes of this chapter, to be deemed to have been granted leave without pay, and subject to the rules and regulations of the appropriate public authority, said employee shall make payment of the portion of the total monthly premium or rate that would have otherwise been deducted from his salary, wages or other compensation.
For purposes of this section, the term ''active service'' shall not include active duty for training in the army national guard or air national guard or as a reservist in the armed forces of the United States.
This section shall take effect in a county, except Worcester county, city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner:— in a county by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; in a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; in a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; in a health district established under section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; and in a town by vote of the town meeting or town council.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 10 - Acceptance of Chapter by County, City, Town, Municipality or District

Section 10. This chapter, except sections seven A, eight A, nine A, nine C, nine D, nine E, nine F, eleven A, eleven B, eleven D, eleven E, eleven F and sixteen, may be accepted in a county, except Worcester county, by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council, in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor, in a municipality having a town council form of government, by vote of the town council, subject to the provisions of the charter of such municipality; in a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; in a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; in a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; in a welfare district by vote of the district welfare committee; in a health district established under section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; and in a town by submission for acceptance to the registered voters in the form of the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election:—''Shall certain provisions of chapter thirty-two B of the General Laws, authorizing any county, except Worcester county, city, town or district to provide a plan of contributory group life insurance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for certain persons in the service of such county, city, town or district and their dependents, be accepted by this town?'' If a majority of the voters voting on the question shall vote in the affirmative, this chapter, except sections seven A, eight A, nine A, nine C, nine D, nine E, nine F, eleven A, eleven B, eleven D, eleven E, eleven F and sixteen, shall take effect in such town.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general law to the contrary, neither the acceptance of this chapter nor the acceptance of any individual section thereof by a governmental unit shall be revoked or rescinded.
This chapter shall not apply to Worcester county nor to its employees, and they shall be eligible for coverage under the provisions of chapter thirty-two A. This action shall be a transferral and not a revocation or rescission.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 10a - Purchase of Insurance by Public Authority Following Acceptance of Chapter

Section 10A. The appropriate public authority shall provide for the purchase of insurance, or include the cost thereof, for dental expenses under those sections of this chapter which provide for the purchase of hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance benefits but only upon the acceptance of this section in the following manner:—in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; in a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; in a veterans' services district by vote of the district board; in a health district established under section twenty-seven A of chapter one hundred and eleven by vote of the joint committee; and in a town by vote of the board of selectmen or, by vote of the town at a town meeting or, by submission for acceptance to the registered voters in the form of the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election:—''Shall certain provisions of chapter thirty-two B of the General Laws, authorizing any county, except Worcester county, city or town or district to provide dental benefits as part of group general or blanket insurance providing hospital, surgical, medical, and other health insurance benefits for certain persons in the service of such county, town or district and their dependents, be accepted by this town?'' If a majority of the voters voting on the question shall vote in the affirmative, the chapter shall take effect in such town.
Any town which is a member of the Cape Cod municipal health group which does not provide dental benefits under this chapter may provide that any general, group or blanket insurance policy it purchases makes dental benefits available to employees at said employees' expense.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general law to the contrary, acceptance of this section shall not be revoked or rescinded. This section shall not apply to Worcester county nor its employees, and they shall be eligible for coverage under the provisions of chapter thirty-two A. This action shall be a transferral and not a revocation or rescission.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 11b - Insurance for Elderly Government Retirees

Section 11B. Any political subdivision, subject to the provisions of section ten B of chapter thirty-two A, shall appropriate funds or apply therefor for the payment of group general or blanket insurance providing hospital, surgical, chiropractic, medical, dental and other health insurance for elderly governmental retirees as defined in paragraph (f) of section two of said chapter thirty-two A, and for the payment of the surcharge or subsidiary rate required to be paid by paragraph (c) of section ten B of chapter thirty-two A if accepted in a county, city, town or district in the following manner:—In a county, by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district by vote of the voters of the district at a district meeting; and in a town by vote of the town or if a majority of the votes cast in answer to the following question, which shall be printed on the official ballot to be used at an election in said town, is in the affirmative:—''Shall the town extend contributory group hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance to elderly persons retired from the service of the town?''.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 14 - Rules and Regulations

Section 14. The appropriate public authority in each governmental unit shall adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, as may be necessary for the administration of this chapter. At the option of the appropriate public authority, a copy of any such proposed agreement or contract may be submitted to the commission for review and comment by it upon all or such portions thereof as the appropriate public authority may request.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 15 - Insurance Coverage for Employees of Governmental Units; Appropriation or Expenditure of Public Funds for Payment of Premiums

Section 15. (a) Upon acceptance of this subsection by its appropriate public authority and subject to any necessary appropriation, a governmental unit, acting by and through its appropriate public authority, may offer its employees a policy or policies of group long-term disability insurance, group dental insurance or group vision care insurance. A governmental unit may contract for such insurance coverage individually or through its membership in a trust or joint purchase group as provided in section twelve of this chapter. A governmental unit may elect to pay any part or none of the premium cost for such insurance coverage for its employees, and may bargain for such insurance coverage collectively.
(b) No governmental unit may appropriate or expend public funds for the payment of premiums for group life insurance, group accidental death and dismemberment insurance and group general or blanket hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health insurance for its active or retired employees, or their dependents, unless such insurance is procured pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or unless such payments are authorized by section five of chapter forty, or unless such payments are made, pursuant to an agreement of an employer and an employee organization, to a health and welfare trust fund agreement for the purposes of (i) providing health benefits not otherwise provided to such employees by said governmental unit under the provisions of this chapter or (ii) paying contributions by said governmental unit toward premium costs or rates in excess of the level of such premium cost or rate contributions otherwise provided for under the provisions of this chapter or (iii) providing health benefits required under this chapter. This subsection shall not apply to the county of Worcester.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title IV - Civil Service, Retirements and Pensions › Chapter 32b - Contributory Group General or Blanket Insurance for Persons in the Service of Counties, Cities, Towns and Districts, and Their Dependents › Section 18a - Transfer of Retiree, Spouse or Dependent to Medicare Health Plan

Section 18A. (a) A retiree, spouse or dependent insured or eligible to be insured under this chapter, if enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependent or eligible for coverage under Medicare Part A at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependent, shall be required to transfer to a Medicare health plan offered by the governmental unit under section 11C or section 16, if the benefits under the plan and Medicare Part A and Part B together shall be of comparable actuarial value to those under the retiree's existing coverage, but a retiree or spouse who has a dependent who is not enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost shall not be required to transfer to a Medicare health plan if a transfer requires the retiree or spouse to continue the existing family coverage for the dependent in a plan other than a Medicare health plan offered by the governmental unit.
(b) Each retiree shall provide the governmental unit, in such form as the governmental unit shall prescribe, such information as is necessary to transfer to a Medicare health plan. If a retiree does not submit the information required, the retiree shall no longer be eligible for the retiree's existing health coverage. The governmental unit may, from time to time, request from a retiree, a retiree's spouse or a retiree's dependent, proof certified by the federal government, of eligibility or ineligibility for Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.
(c) The governmental unit shall pay any Medicare Part B premium penalty assessed by the federal government on the retiree, spouse or dependent as a result of enrollment in Medicare Part B at the time of transfer.