Senate Bill No. 404–Senators James, Townsend, O’Connell, Rawson, Carlton, Amodei, Care, Coffin, Jacobsen, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, Porter, Raggio, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Washington and Wiener

March 12, 1999

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Referred to Committee on Finance

 

SUMMARY—Revises provisions governing benefits of surviving family members of certain police officers and firemen. (BDR 23-1416)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Yes.

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to programs for public employees; authorizing continued coverage under the state’s program of group insurance without charge for the surviving spouse and any surviving child of certain police officers and firemen; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 287 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. The surviving spouse and any surviving child of a police officer or

1-4 fireman who was employed by a participating public agency and was

1-5 killed in the line of duty may continue the coverage under the state’s

1-6 program of group insurance that was in effect for the surviving spouse or

1-7 child on the date on which the police officer or fireman died. If the

1-8 surviving spouse or child decides to continue such coverage, the spouse

1-9 or child must notify in writing the participating public agency that

1-10 employed the police officer or fireman within 60 days after the date of

1-11 death of the police officer or fireman.

1-12 2. After receiving notification from the surviving spouse or child

1-13 pursuant to subsection 1, the participating public agency that employed

1-14 the police officer or fireman shall pay the entire cost of the premiums or

1-15 contributions for group insurance for the surviving spouse or child:

2-1 (a) For the duration of the surviving spouse’s life or until the

2-2 surviving spouse remarries.

2-3 (b) Until the surviving child reaches 18 years of age.

2-4 3. As used in this section, "police officer" has the meaning ascribed

2-5 to it in NRS 617.135.

2-6 Sec. 2. NRS 287.043 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-7 287.043 The committee on benefits shall:

2-8 1. Act as an advisory body on matters relating to group life, accident or

2-9 health insurance, or any combination of these, a program to reduce taxable

2-10 compensation or other forms of compensation other than deferred

2-11 compensation, for the benefit of all state officers and employees and other

2-12 persons who participate in the state’s program of group insurance.

2-13 2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, negotiate and

2-14 contract with the governing body of any public agency enumerated in NRS

2-15 287.010 which is desirous of obtaining group insurance for its officers,

2-16 employees and retired employees by participation in the state’s program of

2-17 group insurance. The committee shall establish separate rates and coverage

2-18 for those officers, employees and retired employees based on actuarial

2-19 reports.

2-20 3. Give public notice in writing of proposed changes in rates or

2-21 coverage to each participating public employer who may be affected by the

2-22 changes. Notice must be provided at least 30 days before the effective date

2-23 of the changes.

2-24 4. Purchase policies of life, accident or health insurance, or any

2-25 combination of these, or a program to reduce the amount of taxable

2-26 compensation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 125, from any company qualified to

2-27 do business in this state or provide similar coverage through a plan of self-

2-28 insurance for the benefit of all eligible public officers, employees and

2-29 retired employees who participate in the state’s program.

2-30 5. Consult the state risk manager and obtain his advice in the

2-31 performance of the duties set forth in this section.

2-32 6. Except as otherwise provided in this Title, develop and establish

2-33 other employee benefits as necessary.

2-34 7. Adopt such regulations and perform such other duties as are

2-35 necessary to carry out the provisions of NRS 287.041 to 287.049, inclusive,

2-36 and section 1 of this act, including the establishment of:

2-37 (a) Fees for applications for participation in the state’s program and for

2-38 the late payment of premiums;

2-39 (b) Conditions for entry and reentry into the state’s program by public

2-40 agencies enumerated in NRS 287.010; and

2-41 (c) The levels of participation in the state’s program required for

2-42 employees of participating public agencies.

3-1 8. Appoint an independent certified public accountant. The accountant

3-2 shall provide an annual audit of the plan and report to the committee and

3-3 the legislative commission.

3-4 For the purposes of this section, "employee benefits" includes any form of

3-5 compensation provided to a state employee pursuant to this Title except

3-6 federal benefits, wages earned, legal holidays, deferred compensation and

3-7 benefits available pursuant to chapter 286 of NRS.

3-8 Sec. 3. NRS 287.044 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-9 287.044 1. A part of the cost of the premiums or contributions for

3-10 that group insurance, not to exceed the amount specified by law, applied to

3-11 both group life and group accident or health coverage, for each public

3-12 officer, except a senator or assemblyman, or employee electing to

3-13 participate in the group insurance program, may be paid by the department,

3-14 agency, commission or public agency which employs the officer or

3-15 employee in whose behalf that part is paid from money appropriated to or

3-16 authorized for that department, agency, commission or public agency for

3-17 that purpose. Participation by the state in the cost of premiums or

3-18 contributions must not exceed the amounts specified by law. If an officer or

3-19 employee chooses to cover his dependents, whenever this option is made

3-20 available by the committee on benefits, except as otherwise provided in

3-21 section 1 of this act, he must pay the difference between the amount of the

3-22 premium or contribution for the coverage for himself and his dependents

3-23 and the amount paid by the state.

3-24 2. A department, agency, commission or public agency shall not pay

3-25 any part of those premiums if the group life insurance or group accident or

3-26 health insurance is not approved by the committee on benefits.

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