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IA HF1016

IA HF1016
A bill for an act providing for the continuation of health insurance in certain circumstances for the surviving spouse and each surviving child of employees of the state of Iowa and including retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly HF 913, HSB 112.)


summary

Introduced
04/17/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill provides for the continuation of health insurance (insurance) in certain circumstances for the surviving spouse (spouse) and each surviving child (child) of an eligible employee of the state of Iowa (eligible employee). The bill defines “eligible employee” as an employee of the state of Iowa, including but not limited to any department, agency, board, bureau, or commission of the state of Iowa, who is participating in a state health or medical group insurance plan under Code chapter 509A which covers the employee at the time of death of the employee and whose death is determined by the department of administrative services to be the direct and proximate result of a traumatic personal injury incurred in the performance of their work duties, and to whom none of the factors detailed in the bill apply. The state must permit continuation of existing insurance, or reenrollment in previously existing insurance, for the spouse and each child of an eligible employee. The bill requires the state to permit continuation of existing insurance for the spouse and each child of an employee who dies and who is reasonably expected to be determined to be an eligible employee, until the determination of eligibility is made. The bill does not require the state to pay for the cost of the insurance; however, the state may pay the full cost or a portion of the cost, in which case the department, agency, board, bureau, commission, or other employing entity of the eligible employee shall bear the cost of such insurance. If the full cost or a portion of the cost of the insurance is not paid by the state, the spouse and each child who is eligible for insurance may elect to continue coverage by paying that portion of the cost of the insurance not paid by the state. The state must notify the provider of the insurance of the identity of the spouse and each child who is to be provided insurance pursuant to the requirements of the bill. The bill does not require continuation of insurance if the spouse or a child who would otherwise be entitled to continuation of insurance was, through the actions of the spouse or of the child, a substantial contributing factor to the death of the eligible employee, or the spouse or a child becomes ineligible for insurance coverage under the terms of the insurance coverage obtained by the state for reasons other than the death of the eligible employee. The bill applies retroactively to January 1, 2024.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a new provision for health insurance coverage for the surviving spouse and children of state of Iowa employees who die due to a traumatic work-related personal injury. Specifically, the bill defines an "eligible employee" as a state employee participating in a health insurance plan whose death is directly caused by a traumatic work injury, with several important exclusions such as deaths resulting from stress, intentional misconduct, voluntary intoxication, or gross negligence. The state is required to allow the surviving spouse and children to continue or reenroll in the existing health insurance coverage, though the state is not mandated to pay for this coverage. If the state chooses not to cover the full cost, the surviving spouse and children may continue the coverage by paying the remaining portion. The bill includes protections to prevent coverage if the spouse or child was responsible for the employee's death or becomes ineligible for insurance for reasons unrelated to the employee's death. The provisions of this bill will apply retroactively to January 1, 2024, providing a meaningful safety net for families of state employees who die in the line of duty.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

Appropriations (House)

Last Action

Withdrawn. H.J. 1069. (on 04/24/2025)

bill text


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