Substitute Senate Bill No. 331, identified as File No. 299, amends the group hospitalization and medical and surgical insurance plan for various groups associated with the state of Connecticut. The bill includes the insertion of state marshals to the list of individuals eligible for the state-provided insurance plan and modifies the definitions of "employee" and "municipality" to clarify insurance eligibility, particularly for the surviving spouse and dependent children of municipal employees who die in the line of duty. It outlines the state's contribution to insurance premiums for eligible individuals, including full coverage of individual premiums for retirees from state-sponsored retirement systems and 70% of the additional cost for their coverage. The bill also allows for modifications to the insurance coverage for active state employees and members of the General Assembly who are over 65 years old, reflecting benefits available through Social Security and federal medical programs, and continues to allow payroll deduction services for employees participating in existing authorized plans.

The bill further extends coverage eligibility to adoptive and foster parents and their dependents, with the requirement that they pay 100% of the premium, and specifies premium coverage responsibilities for probate judges and employees. It allows for voluntary participation of municipalities, nonprofit corporations, community action agencies, small employers, and individuals eligible for a health coverage tax credit in the state's insurance plan, with certain conditions. The bill replaces the date "December 1, 2000," with "October 1, 2024," for the effective date when state marshals can participate in the plan, and mandates an annual review by the Comptroller to the General Assembly. The fiscal impact includes costs to the State Comptroller – Fringe Benefits account and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for processing forms, with the provisions set to take effect on October 1, 2024.