Requires health benefits for state and retired state employees have the option to only cover the employee or retiree and their spouse or domestic partner.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A8602
SPONSOR: Jones
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the civil service law, in relation to requiring health
benefits for state and retired state employees to have the option to
only cover the employee or retiree and their spouse or domestic partner
 
PURPOSE:
The proposed legislation would require health benefits for state and
retired state employees have the option to only cover the employee or
retiree and their spouse or domestic partner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 164 of the civil service law is amended by adding a new subdivi-
sion 3 to read as follows: Each employee shall be entitled to choose
between coverage for themselves, coverage for themselves and their
spouse or domestic partner, or coverage for themselves, their spouse or
domestic partner, and 6 of their dependents.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is needed due to a lack of flexibility in the current plan
available to state and retired state employees. Each year, insurance
premiums increase while retiree pensions remain subject to annual Cost-
of-Living Adjustments (COLA). This COLA increase is often insufficient
to offset the costs of increased premiums, especially for married
couples without dependents who must enroll in a family plan. By allowing
for the distinction between a partner and family plan, these two groups
particularly married couples who currently pay family plan rates) can
enjoy lower rates and decreased financial stress.  
LEGISLATIVE
HISTORY:
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8602
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JONES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Governmental Employees
AN ACT to amend the civil service law, in relation to requiring health
benefits for state and retired state employees to have the option to
only cover the employee or retiree and their spouse or domestic part-
ner
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 164 of the civil service law is amended by adding a
2 new subdivision 3 to read as follows:
3 3. Each employee shall be entitled to choose between coverage for
4 themselves, coverage for themselves and their spouse or domestic part-
5 ner, or coverage for themselves, their spouse or domestic partner, and
6 their dependents.
7 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
8 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
9 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
10 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
11 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05460-01-3