H.B. No. 2171
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of certain retired firefighters and
emergency medical services providers to purchase continued health
benefits coverage.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 175.001, Local Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 175.001. APPLICABILITY. This chapter applies to a
person who:
(1) retires from:
(A) county employment in a county with a
population of 75,000 or more;
(B) employment by an appraisal district in a
county with a population of 75,000 or more; [or]
(C) municipal employment in a municipality with a
population of 25,000 or more; or
(D) employment as a firefighter or emergency
medical services provider by an emergency services district located
wholly or partly in a county with a population of 150,000 or more;
and
(2) is entitled to receive retirement benefits from a
county, appraisal district, or municipal retirement plan or
emergency services district.
SECTION 2. (a) Chapter 175, Local Government Code, as
amended by this Act, applies according to its terms to all eligible
persons who leave employment with an emergency services district on
or after January 1, 2022.
(b) An emergency services district that is required by
Chapter 175, Local Government Code, as amended by this Act, to
provide continued health benefits coverage but that is not allowed
to provide the coverage under the terms of the district's existing
group health plan shall ensure that the required continued health
benefits coverage is provided for in any new plan that is adopted by
the district on or after January 1, 2022, unless the district is
exempted under Section 175.007, Local Government Code.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2171 was passed by the House on April
23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 132, Nays 14, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 2171 on May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0,
1 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2171 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor