This bill amends the existing laws regarding insurance benefits for state employees in Rhode Island by expanding eligibility to include adjunct faculty members at state community colleges, colleges, and universities. The new language specifies that adjunct faculty who teach at least fifty percent (50%) of the faculty load hours worked by regular full-time faculty in an academic semester will be eligible for the same hospital care and surgical-medical service benefits as other state employees.

Additionally, the bill introduces definitions related to employees, explicitly recognizing adjunct faculty as employees under the law. The act is set to take effect upon passage, thereby immediately extending these benefits to eligible adjunct faculty members.