Connecticut House Bill HB05139

Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/15/24
• Refer: 2/15/24

Caption

An Act Concerning Health Insurance For Retired Part-time Faculty Of The State System Of Public Higher Education.

Impact

If enacted, HB05139 would establish a new health insurance provision for a demographic that typically struggles with post-retirement benefits. This change would expand the reach of health insurance to include adjunct faculty, thereby acknowledging their contributions to higher education while also addressing their needs in retirement. With the increasing number of part-time educators within the system, this could also set a precedent for further benefits for similar roles across various educational institutions, potentially reshaping labor relations in higher education.

Summary

House Bill 05139 seeks to amend the general statutes to provide health insurance for retired part-time faculty members of the Connecticut State University System. Specifically, the bill targets professionals who have contributed significantly, defined as having taught not less than 180 credit hours in total over their teaching career. The intent behind this legislation is to address the gaps in healthcare coverage that retired part-time faculty face, who are often excluded from benefits that full-time faculty receive upon retirement.

Contention

Discussion around HB05139 may raise concerns regarding the financial implications of implementing health insurance benefits for retired part-time faculty. Some lawmakers might question the cost ramifications on the state budget and the sustainability of such an initiative. Critics could argue that extending health insurance to part-time faculty may create disparities in employment practices or lead to demands for additional benefits from other marginally employed academics, thereby complicating budgetary allocations and university funding structures. The bill's passage may also spur debates on the broader issue of adjunct faculty rights and their compensation in the state’s educational framework.