BILL NUMBER: AB 1296	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Torrico

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2007

   An act to amend Section 22853 of the Government Code, relating to
public employee health benefits.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1296, as introduced, Torrico. Public employee health benefits.
   The Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act requires the
Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System to
approve health benefit plans for certain public employees and
annuitants, and authorizes the board to contract with carriers
offering health benefit plans.
   This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to a
provision of that act.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 22853 of the Government Code is amended to
read:
   22853.  (a) Each contract shall contain a detailed statement of
benefits offered and shall include maximums, limitations, exclusions,
and other definitions of benefits as the board deems necessary or
desirable.
   (b) Except as otherwise provided by this part, a health benefit
plan or contract may not exclude any person on account of physical
condition, age, race, or  any  other status. Except as
otherwise provided by this part, transfer of enrollment to a health
benefit plan shall be open to all employees and annuitants in
accordance with Section 22841.
   (c) A health benefit plan or contract shall offer to each employee
or annuitant whose enrollment in the plan is terminated other than
by cancellation of enrollment, voluntary separation from employment,
or dismissal from employment for cause, the option to convert to an
individual health  benefits   benefit 
policy, without regard to health status, but within the time limit
approved by the board. An employee or annuitant that exercises this
option shall pay the full periodic charges of the individual policy
according to the terms and conditions prescribed by the carrier and
approved by the board.
   (d) A health benefit plan or contract shall provide grievance
procedures to protect the rights of employees and annuitants.
   (e) The board shall provide a sufficient number of health benefit
plans that provide chiropractic services so that every employee and
annuitant has a reasonable opportunity to enroll in a health benefit
plan that provides chiropractic services without prior referral by a
physician.