FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 462
92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR GROSS.
Read 1st time February 10, 2003, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
1495S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 103, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to medical coverage for certain state employee retirees, with an emergency clause.
Section A.Chapter 103, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 103.120, to read as follows:
103.120.1.Any state employee who retires after January 1, 2003, and prior to November 1, 2003, and is also eligible for medical coverage as described in section 103.115 shall be eligible to have the following provisions apply to such coverage:
(1)Such retiree may elect to continue coverage for him/herself and any eligible dependents and the state's contribution for such coverage shall be at the same dollar amount as in effect for active employees as of the date of retirement;
(2)Should the rate category for such retiree change after his or her retirement date, the state's contribution for coverage shall be equal to the dollar amount for such rate category for active employees that was in effect as of the date of retirement; and
(3)The total amount the state shall pay per month towards the cost of retiree and dependent coverage shall revert to the applicable amount being paid by the state in place at that time for retirees who did not retire during the time period indicated in subsection 1 of this section upon the occurrence of any of the following factors:
(a)The retiree becomes eligible for Medicare;
(b)The retiree attains the age of 65; or
(c)The amount described in subparagraphs (1) or (2), as applicable, of subsection 1 of this section is less than the amount that would be paid by the state towards the cost of retiree and dependent coverage for retirees who did not retire during the time period indicated in subsection 1 of this section.
2.The board of regents of the educational institutions described in section 174.020, RSMo, the board of curators of Lincoln University, the highway and transportation commission of the department of transportation, and the conservation commission of the department of conservation may elect to provide the same benefits to its employees as described in subsection 1 of this section.
3.The state may hire employees to replace those employees who retired during the time period indicated in subsection 1 of this section, except that in no such event shall the state fill more than twenty-five percent of those positions vacated during such time period.
4.The coverage provided a retiree pursuant to this section shall cease immediately upon the employment of such retiree re-employed either full-time or part-time in a state covered position.
Section B.Because immediate action is necessary in order to address state budget issues, section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.