By: Watson S.B. No. 762
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study concerning the minimum participation
requirement for small employer health benefit plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "department" means the
Texas Department of Insurance.
SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The department shall conduct a
study concerning the minimum participation requirement for small
employer health benefit plans under Section 1501.154, Insurance
Code.
(b) The study must include:
(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of a minimum
collective employee participation level of 60 percent; and
(2) a comparison of the effectiveness of the current
minimum collective employee participation level of 75 percent to a
minimum collective employee participation level of between 60 and
75 percent.
SECTION 3. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. The department shall
include a report of the results of the study conducted under this
Act in the biennial report to the 82nd Legislature made under
Section 32.022, Insurance Code. The report must describe the
results of the study conducted under this Act and may contain:
(1) a recommendation concerning whether the minimum
collective employee participation level should be reduced from 75
percent to 60 percent; and
(2) the reasons for the recommendation described by
Subdivision (1) of this section.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.