130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2021
Legislative Document No. 293
H.P. 206 House of Representatives, February 3, 2021
An Act To Increase the State's Share of the Cost of Health
Insurance for Retired Teachers
(EMERGENCY)
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 1, 2021. Referred to the Committee on
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to
Joint Rule 401.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative COLLINGS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator: President JACKSON of Aroostook.
Printed on recycled paper
 1 Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3 Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day
4 period in order to provide an increase in the State's share of the cost of health insurance for
5 retired teachers at the beginning of the next fiscal year; and
6 Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
7 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
8 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
9 therefore,
10 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
11 Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §13451, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. H, §3, is
12 further amended to read:
13 3. Payment by State. The State shall pay a percentage of the retired teacher members'
14 share of this insurance according to the following schedule:
15 A. Thirty percent until July 1, 2002;
16 B. Thirty-five percent from July 1, 2002 to July 31, 2003;
17 C. Forty percent from August 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005; and
18 D. Forty-five percent after December 31, 2005. from January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2021;
19 and
20 E. Fifty-five percent after June 30, 2021.
21 Except for individuals who are receiving or who have received retirement benefits under
22 Title 5, section 17907 or 17929, for a teacher who retires after July 1, 2012, the State shall
23 begin paying the percentage of the retired teacher member's share pursuant to this
24 subsection when the retiree reaches normal retirement age.
25 For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015,
26 the State's total cost for retired teachers' health insurance premiums is budgeted at the fiscal
27 year 2010-11 funding level adjusted for projected membership growth. The increase in the
28 State's total cost for retired teachers' health insurance premiums for fiscal years ending after
29 June 30, 2015 is budgeted at no more than any percentage increase in the Consumer Price
30 Index as defined in Title 5, section 17001, subsection 9 plus 3%. A provider of a health
31 insurance benefit plan for retired teachers must make available data related to the provider's
32 premium costs and any related data as requested by the Executive Director of Health
33 Insurance within the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.
34 Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation
35 takes effect when approved.
36 SUMMARY
37 This bill requires the State to pay 55% of a retired teacher's share of the premium for
38 group accident and sickness or health insurance after June 30, 2021. It also removes some
39 outdated language.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 293, HP 206: 20-A.13451