This bill amends the eligibility criteria for coverage under the state retiree insurance plan by removing the requirement that young adult children, specifically those aged 19 to 25, must be full-time students to qualify for coverage. The current law stipulates that fully dependent minor children and those between the ages of 19 through 25 are eligible for the plan, but the phrase "[if full-time students]" is deleted from the legal text. This change allows young adult children who are not enrolled in school to still receive health insurance benefits under their retired parent's plan.

The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminable, as the Department of Administrative Services cannot predict how many retirees would choose to cover their dependents aged 19 to 25 without the full-time student requirement. The cost for covering a dependent under the retiree health plan is approximately $1,044.42 per month, which is paid entirely by the retiree. While expanding eligibility may lead to increased enrollment and claims, potentially raising costs for the Retiree Health Benefit Plan, the exact financial implications remain uncertain. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-I:30