Bill > H2402

This bill establishes a dedicated trust fund, known as the State Universities’ Part-Time Faculty Health Insurance Fund, to cover all or part of the health insurance premium expenses for part-time faculty employees of specific Massachusetts state universities, including Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Salem State University, Westfield State University, and Worcester State University. Part-time faculty employees are defined as those teaching credit courses and belonging to specific bargaining units, who also meet eligibility requirements under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The fund will be managed by the Commissioner of Higher Education as trustee, with oversight from a three-member funding authorization committee composed of the Commissioner (or designee) as chairperson, one member appointed by the council of presidents of the state universities, and one member appointed by the union, which is identified as the Massachusetts Teachers Association/Massachusetts State Colleges Association. The bill specifies that funds can be invested, and the trustee can incur administrative costs, but all obligations are contingent upon appropriation by the general court and allocation by the Governor, and the trustee is indemnified for legal defense unless a breach of fiduciary duty, willful dishonesty, or intentional violation of law is proven.