South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 64

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

February 19, 2003

S. 64

Introduced by Senators Gregory and Reese

S. Printed 2/19/03--S.

Read the first time January 14, 2003.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 64) to amend Section 1-11-730 of the 1976 code to provide that the spouse or dependant of a person killed in the line duty shall continue coverage, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, Section 1-11-730(D), page 2, beginning on line 3 by deleting /without a work-related disability and/

Amend the bill, further, Section 1-11-730(E), page 2, line 10 after /duty/ by inserting /after December 31, 2001/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

HUGH K. LEATHERMAN, SR. for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

Minimal (Some additional costs expected but can be absorbed)

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES IS:

Minimal (Some additional costs expected but can be absorbed)

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

According to information provided the Office of State Budget, State Budget and Control Board, there have been twelve officers killed in the line of duty in the last six years. To cover the cost of the full premium for an officer's spouse or dependent for the first twelve months would be approximately $4,500. Except for the conditions included in the bill, to cover the cost of the state paid premium for a spouse or dependent each year thereafter would be approximately $3,429.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 1-11-730 OF THE 1976 CODE TO PROVIDE THAT THE SPOUSE OR DEPENDANT OF A PERSON KILLED IN THE LINE DUTY SHALL CONTINUE COVERAGE UNDER THE STATE HEALTH PLAN FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS AND THE STATE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE FULL PREMIUM COSTS AND AFTER THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD THE SPOUSE OR DEPENDANT IS ELIGIBLE FOR STATE-PAID PREMIUMS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.    Section 1-11-730 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 387 of 2000, is amended to read:

"Section 1-11-730.    (A)    A person covered by the state health and dental insurance plans who terminates employment with at least twenty years retirement service credit by a state-covered entity before eligibility for retirement under a state retirement system is eligible for the plans effective on the date of retirement under a state retirement system, if the last five years are consecutive and in a full-time permanent position with a state-covered entity.

(B)    A member of the General Assembly who leaves office or retires with at least eight years credited service in the General Assembly Retirement System is eligible to participate in the plans by paying the full premium costs as determined by the State Budget and Control Board.

(C)    An active employee retiring with ten or more years of state-covered entity service credited under a state retirement system is eligible for state-paid premiums, if the last five years are consecutive and in a full-time permanent position with a state-covered entity.

(D)    A person covered by the plans who retires without a work-related disability and with at least five years' state-covered entity service credited under a state retirement system is eligible to participate in the plan by paying the full premium costs as determined by the board, if the last five years are consecutive and in a full-time permanent position with a state-covered entity.

(E)    A spouse or dependant of a person covered by the plans who is killed in the line of duty shall receive equivalent coverage under the plans for a period of twelve months and the State shall be responsible for paying the full premium costs. After the twelve-month period, a spouse or dependant is eligible for state-paid premiums. A spouse is eligible for state-paid premiums under this subsection until the spouse remarries. A dependant is eligible for state-paid premiums under this subsection until the dependant's eligibility for coverage under the plans would ordinarily terminate.

(EF)    All state and school district employees employed before July 1, 1984, who were or would have been eligible for the plans upon completion of five years' service are exempt from the provisions of this section and are eligible for the plan effective on the date of their retirement.

(FG)    A former municipal or county council member of a county or municipality which participates in the state health and dental insurance plans who served on the council for at least twelve years and who was covered under the plans at the time of termination is eligible to maintain coverage under the plans if the former member pays the full employer and employee contributions and if the county or municipal council elects to allow this coverage for former members.

(GH)    A person covered by the state health and dental plans who terminated employment with at least eighteen years retirement service credit by a state-covered entity before eligibility for retirement under a state retirement system prior to 1990 is eligible for the plans effective on the date of retirement, if this person returns to a state-covered entity and is covered by the state health and dental plans and completes at least two consecutive years in a full-time, permanent position prior to the date of retirement."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:18 A.M.