The bill amends Minnesota Statutes to establish a new "Educator group insurance program" aimed at regulating health insurance for public school employees. It introduces key definitions such as "school employee," "school employer," and "school employee pool," creating a mandatory health insurance pool for eligible school employees. The bill mandates that all school employers transition to this pool by January 1, 2027, and outlines the responsibilities of both employers and employees regarding premium payments and coverage continuation. Additionally, it establishes a labor management committee to oversee the program and allows for the collection of nonidentifiable aggregate claims data to assist in underwriting risks.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that school districts must contribute 85% of family premiums and 95% of single premiums for the highest value health plan available, with provisions for high-deductible plans. It allows for the continuation of employer-paid premiums after employment and provides options for married employees regarding health plan selection. The bill also introduces educator group insurance program aid for school districts to cover additional premium costs and prohibits the use of public resources for broker commissions related to health insurance. Importantly, it emphasizes that the new regulations should not discourage more generous health plans or limit collective bargaining agreements, while repealing a previous requirement for timely responses to school district proposals.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 43A.316