By: Blanco H.B. No. 1597
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state assistance for school employees uniform group
health coverage.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 42.260(c), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a
school district or participating charter school may use the
following amount of funds only to pay contributions under a group
health coverage plan for district or school employees:
(1) an amount equal to 75 percent of the amount
certified for the district or school under Subsection (b); or
(2) if the following amount is less than the amount
specified by Subdivision (1), the sum of:
(A) the amount determined by multiplying the
amount of $1,800 [$900] or the amount specified in the General
Appropriations Act for that year for purposes of the state
contribution under Section 1579.251 [9, Article 3.50-7], Insurance
Code, by the number of district or school employees who participate
in a group health coverage plan provided by or through the district
or school; and
(B) the difference between the amount necessary
for the district or school to comply with Section 1581.052 [Section
3, Article 3.50-9], Insurance Code, for the school year and the
amount the district or school is required to use to provide health
coverage under Section 1581.051, Insurance Code, [2 of that
article] for that year.
SECTION 2. Section 1579.251, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1579.251. STATE ASSISTANCE. (a) The state shall
assist employees of participating school districts and charter
schools in the purchase of group health coverage under this chapter
by providing for each covered employee the amount of
$1,800 [$900]
each state fiscal year or a greater amount as provided by the
General Appropriations Act. The state contribution shall be
distributed through the school finance formulas under Chapters 41
and 42, Education Code, and used by school districts and charter
schools as provided by Section 42.260, Education Code.
(b) The state shall assist employees of participating
regional education service centers and educational districts
described by Section 1579.002(5)(B) in the purchase of group health
coverage under this chapter by providing to the employing service
center or educational district, for each covered employee, the
amount of $1,800 [$900] each state fiscal year or a greater amount
as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.