DHRM: Public Schools Health Insurance Program (language only)

Item 86 #1s

Language
Page 82, following line 46, insert:
“E.1. The Department of Human Resource Management, with the assistance of the Department of Education, shall develop, implement, and administer a statewide health insurance program for employees of Virginia public school divisions that shall be similar in plan design, premium structure, and administration to the state employee health insurance program.  Coverage under the Public Schools Health Insurance Program shall be effective beginning July 1, 2010. Except as provided for in paragraph, I.3 of this item, the Public Schools Health Insurance Program administered by the Department of Human Resource Management shall be the sole health insurance plan for public school divisions.
2. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, each public school division within the Commonwealth shall be required to enroll in the Public Schools Health Insurance Program created in paragraph I.1, unless such school division elects to exercise its rights as provided in paragraph I.3 of this Item.  
3. Subject to policies, procedures and schedules to be promulgated by the Department of Human Resource Management, public school divisions may make an irrevocable election to opt-out of participation in the Public Schools Health Insurance Program authorized in this paragraph.
4. The Department of Human Resource Management shall develop policies and procedures for the enrollment of school divisions and their employees in the Public Schools Health Insurance Program authorized in this paragraph and the one-time election to opt-out of the program authorized in paragraph I.3.”

Explanation
(This amendment authorizes the Department of Human Resource Management to create a statewide health insurance program for employees of Virginia public school divisions.)