HBA-CMT S.B. 770 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 770
By: Harris
Insurance
5/8/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In many cases, a person eligible for health insurance coverage as a
dependent child of an enrollee loses coverage when the person turns 18; or
if the person is a full-time student and financially dependent on the
parent, when the person turns 23.  Senate Bill  770 extends the coverage
eligibility as a dependent of an enrollee to a person who is under 25 years
of age, unmarried, and financially dependent on the parent.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 770 amends the Insurance Code to provide that a health benefit
plan that offers coverage for dependent children of an enrollee must make
dependent coverage available for a child of an enrollee who is under 25
years of age, unmarried, and financially dependent on the parent.  The bill
sets forth the health benefit plans to which the provisions of the bill do
and do not apply. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.  The Act applies only to a health benefit plan
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002.