The bill amends Section 36-12-4 of the General Laws regarding insurance benefits for non-Medicare-eligible retired employees. It establishes that correctional officers, as defined in 28-9.7-3, and those members described in 36-10-9.2, who have a minimum of twenty-five (25) years of service and are at least fifty-five (55) years of age, shall be entitled to receive a non-Medicare-eligible retiree health care insurance benefit as described in 36-12-1.

Additionally, the bill outlines provisions for retired employees who retired on or before September 30, 2008, entitling them to coverage for themselves and their non-Medicare-eligible dependents, provided they agree to pay the total cost at the group rate for active state employees. It also includes a formula for determining the state's share of healthcare costs based on years of service and age at retirement for those who retired between July 1, 1989, and September 30, 2008.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for non-Medicare-eligible state retirees who retire on or after October 1, 2008, allowing them to purchase coverage for themselves and their dependents at their own cost. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8352: 36-12-4