89R1818 CJD-D
By: Blanco S.B. No. 896
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the enrollment period for newborns under certain
employer health benefit plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 846.258(b), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Coverage of a newborn child of a participating employee
under this section ends on the 61st [32nd] day after the date of the
child's birth unless:
(1) children are eligible for coverage under the
multiple employer welfare arrangement's plan document; and
(2) not later than the 60th [31st] day after the date
of birth, the arrangement receives:
(A) notice of the birth; and
(B) any required additional premium.
SECTION 2. Section 1501.157(b), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under
this section ends on the 61st [32nd] day after the date of the
child's birth unless, not later than the 60th [31st] day after the
date of birth, the small employer health benefit plan issuer
receives:
(1) notice of the birth; and
(2) any required additional premium.
SECTION 3. Section 1501.607(b), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Coverage of a newborn child of a covered employee under
this section ends on the 61st [32nd] day after the date of the
child's birth unless:
(1) children are eligible for coverage under the large
employer health benefit plan; and
(2) not later than the 60th [31st] day after the date
of birth, the large employer health benefit plan issuer receives:
(A) notice of the birth; and
(B) any required additional premium.
SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or
renewed on or after January 1, 2026. A health benefit plan that is
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2026,
is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.