Relating to health insurance coverage for eligible survivors of certain public servants killed in the line of duty.
Impact
The bill establishes clear entitlements for survivors, specifying that they should not be denied health insurance benefits even if they were enrolled in another employer's group health insurance plan at the time of the public servant's death. Additionally, the bill mandates that employing entities provide written notices of survivor rights within a specific timeframe after the death of the individual, ensuring transparency and access to available benefits.
Summary
House Bill 983 aims to enhance health insurance coverage for the eligible survivors of certain public servants who were killed in the line of duty. This legislation amends various sections of the Government Code to ensure that surviving spouses and dependents can continue to purchase or obtain health insurance benefits under specific conditions. The goal of this bill is to provide continued support and security for those who have lost loved ones serving their communities, thereby recognizing the sacrifices made by these public servants.
Contention
There could be potential contention regarding the financial implications of this bill for state and local governments and how these changes might affect existing health insurance plans. Stakeholders may have differing views on the appropriateness of extending such benefits and the potential administrative burden on public entities required to comply with these new provisions. The discussions surrounding the efficacy of these changes in truly supporting survivors or simply adjusting legal frameworks could emerge, especially in terms of costs and administrative responsibilities.
Services for sexual assault patients; provision of information for sexual assault patients; Task Force on Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault; work group; report.