The bill amends the eligibility criteria for certain retired employees under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program in Arkansas. It specifies that state employee retirees and public school retirees must have participated in the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program for at least five cumulative years before retirement and must be vested members of specified retirement systems. The bill also clarifies that retirees who become active retirees can elect to enroll in the program within thirty days of their status change, and it outlines the conditions under which retirees can continue or re-enroll in the program after declining participation due to other health insurance coverage.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding dependents of retirees, stating that dependents who involuntarily lose their employer-sponsored health insurance coverage may qualify for coverage under the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program, provided the loss was not due to fraud or voluntary cessation of premium payments. The amendments aim to ensure that retirees and their dependents have clearer pathways to maintain health insurance coverage after retirement or changes in employment status.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1327 V2 - 2-25-2025 09:30 AM: 21-5-411(a), 21-5-411(d)
Act 451: 21-5-411(a), 21-5-411(d)