Requires employers to offer participation in the employer's group medical insurance plan to part-time employees that would otherwise not qualify for health benefits. Requires that such nonqualifying part-time employees pay for 100% of health insurance premiums if they choose to participate.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 371, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§371-   Offer of participation in group or group-type medical insurance plan to part-time employees working less than twenty hours per week. No later than July 1, 2001, every employer may offer as a benefit to employees that work less than twenty hours per week the same group or group-type medical insurance offered to the employer's full-time employees. Any part-time employee choosing to participate in a group or group-type medical insurance plan offered pursuant to this section shall bear all premium costs associated with participation in the medical insurance plan chosen."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.