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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to employer participation in the Healthy Texas Program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 1508.051, Insurance |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A small employer may participate in the program if: |
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(1) during the 6-month [12-month] period immediately |
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preceding the date of application for a qualifying health benefit |
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plan, the small employer does not offer employees group health |
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benefits on an expense-reimbursed or prepaid basis; and |
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(2) at least 25 [30] percent of the small employer's |
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eligible employees receive annual wages from the employer in an |
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amount that is equal to or less than 300 percent of the poverty |
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guidelines for an individual, as defined and updated annually by |
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the United States Department of Health and Human Services. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 1508.052, Insurance |
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Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The commissioner by rule may adjust the 6-month |
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[12-month] period described by Section 1508.051(a)(1) to a 12-month |
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[an 18-month] period if the commissioner determines that the |
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6-month [12-month] period is insufficient to prevent inappropriate |
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substitution of other health benefit plans for qualifying health |
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benefit plan coverage under this chapter. |
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SECTION 3. The commissioner of insurance shall adopt any |
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rules necessary to implement the change in law made by this Act not |
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later than October 1, 2013. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |