H.B. No. 1265
AN ACT
relating to providing information to state employees about
insurance available to those employees under a group coverage plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1551.2011 to read as follows:
Sec. 1551.2011. EMPLOYEE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION. (a) The
board of trustees by rule shall ensure that employees receive
information about life coverage, accidental death and
dismemberment coverage, and long-term and short-term loss of salary
coverage, if those coverages are included in a group coverage plan
established under Section 1551.201.
(b) The information must contain descriptions of:
(1) probabilities of death and disability; and
(2) policy exclusions and limitations, including:
(A) limitations based on multiple sources of
benefits;
(B) preexisting condition exclusions; and
(C) required waiting periods for benefits.
(c) The board of trustees by rule may provide the
information described by Subsections (a) and (b) in printed
materials for new employees distributed on the first day of
employment. The board of trustees may consider using printed
materials, online presentations, and educational presentations to
ensure the information described by Subsections (a) and (b) is
provided to employees.
(d) If applicable, the board of trustees shall annually
review the materials and presentations described by Subsection (c)
to determine if changes to the contents of the materials or
presentations are necessary. If applicable, the department shall
adopt rules necessary for considering and making changes to the
materials or presentations.
(e) The board of trustees shall publish the information
described by Subsections (a) and (b) on the Employees Retirement
System of Texas website.
SECTION 2. The board of trustees shall adopt rules to
implement the changes in law made by this Act not later than January
1, 2014.
SECTION 3. 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, 2013.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1265 was passed by the House on April
18, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1265 was passed by the Senate on May
15, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor