HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2860
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this Act is to address the health benefits plan provided under the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.  The legislature finds that this Act is necessary to reduce state expenditures during the current budgetary crisis.  The legislature emphasizes that this Act is temporary and intended to implement a cost-saving measure only during the current crisis.

     This Act takes effect on July 1, 2011 and sunsets on June 30, 2015.

     SECTION 2.  Definitions.  The definitions under section 87A-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be applicable for the purposes of this Act.

     In addition, "active state employee" means an "employee" as defined under section 87A-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the state government, but excluding an employee of county government or a retired member of the employees' retirement system, county pension system, or police, firefighters, or bandsmen pension system of the State or county.

     SECTION 3.  Minimum health care benefits for active state employees.  (a)  Notwithstanding section 87A-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law to the contrary, except subsection (b), the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund shall make available to active state employees and their dependent-beneficiaries a health benefits plan providing not more than the minimum health care benefits required under section 393-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The trust fund shall make available such a health benefits plan through an insurer or on a self-funded basis from July 1, 2011, until June 30, 2015.  During this period, the trust fund shall not make available to active state employees or their dependent-beneficiaries any other health benefits plan.

     (b)  The trust fund shall make available to active county and retired state and county employees and their dependent-beneficiaries health benefits plans in accordance with chapter 87A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  This Act is not intended to affect the health benefits plans or coverage of active county or retired state and county employees and their dependent-beneficiaries.

     SECTION 4.  Effective date; repeal.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2011 and shall be repealed on June 30, 2015; provided that the repeal shall not affect any claims, rights, or privileges that matured or liabilities or penalties that were incurred during the period this Act is in effect.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund; Health Benefits Plan

Description:

Requires, from 7/1/2011 until 6/30/2015, the employer-union health benefits trust fund to provide to active state employees and their dependent-beneficiaries the minimum health benefits plan required under the Hawaii prepaid health care act.  Does not affect active county or retired state and county employees and their dependent-beneficiaries.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.