This bill amends existing laws regarding group insurance contributions for state employees, specifically focusing on school districts and charter schools. It eliminates the option for these entities to obtain waivers for participation in public school insurance authority health, disability income, and term life plans, effective July 1, 2027. The bill also mandates that school districts and charter schools contribute at least eighty percent of the cost of insurance for their employees, a change from previous provisions that included varying contribution percentages based on salary brackets. Additionally, it introduces a requirement for a reference-based pricing program for hospital services, ensuring that hospitals do not charge more than the maximum payment established by the secretary of health care authority.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the contributions for state educational institutions and nonprofit organizations eligible for participation in the authority, allowing for rates to be set by their respective governing bodies. It also specifies that any school district or charter school granted a waiver for health insurance must petition for participation in other types of group insurance coverage before being allowed to participate again. The effective dates for the provisions of the bill are set for July 1, 2026, for Sections 1, 4, and 5, and July 1, 2027, for Sections 2 and 3.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 10-7-4, 13-7-3, 22-29-9, 22-29-10