2013 -- S 0737

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LC01931

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - HEALTH BENEFITS PREVIOUSLY

NEGOTIATED

     Introduced By: Senator David E. Bates

     Date Introduced: March 13, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 27 of the General Laws entitled "INSURANCE" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 77

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RHODE ISLAND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE UNIFORM BENEFIT ACT

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     27-77-1. Short title - Purpose. – (a) This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the

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“Rhode Island Municipal Employee Uniform Benefit Act.”

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     (b) The purpose of this chapter is to create uniform medical and prescription drug benefit

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plan designs for Rhode Island municipal employees.

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     27-77-2. Board of directors established. – (a) There is established the board of directors

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of the Rhode Island municipal employees’ health care benefits program (“board”).

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     (b) The board shall consist of five (5) members, as follows:

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     (1) One member shall be appointed by the president of Rhode Island council 94 of the

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American federation of state, county and municipal employees;

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     (2) Two (2) members shall be appointed by the president of the Rhode Island league of

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cities and towns.

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     (3) One member shall be appointed by the executive director of the Rhode Island

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Interlocal trust.

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     (4) One member shall be appointed by the director of the state department of revenue.

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     (c) Each appointing authority may remove or replace any member appointed by that

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appointing authority at any time.

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     (d) Members of the board shall serve without compensation.

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     (e) The board shall review the work and report of the Rhode Island uniform school

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employees health care benefits program board and make such recommendations and

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modifications as it sees fit based upon the characteristics of the municipal employment

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population.

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     (f) The board shall report to the governor, general assembly, and the executive board of

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the Rhode Island league of cities and towns by February 1, 2012 with recommendations on the

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means, feasibility and benefits of developing a statewide health benefit purchasing arrangement

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for municipal employees.

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     SECTION 2. Title 28 of the General Laws entitled "LABOR AND LABOR

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RELATIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 9.8

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HEALTH BENEFITS PREVIOUSLY NEGOTIATED

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     28-9.8-1. Retiree health insurance. – Retiree health benefits collectively stated pursuant

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to chapters 28-9.1, 28-9.2, 28-9.3 and 28-9.4 of the general laws shall remain in full force and

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effect, except that all future negotiated changes for active employees relating to cost sharing and

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plan upon design of health insurance shall be applicable to all new and existing retirements.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01931

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - HEALTH BENEFITS PREVIOUSLY

NEGOTIATED

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     This act would create a board to make recommendations for the means, feasibility and

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benefits for developing a statewide municipal employees’ health benefit purchasing arrangement.

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It would require that the negotiated medical benefits for fire fighters, municipal police, teachers

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and municipal employee retirees remain in full force and effect, except that all future negotiated

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changes for active employees relating to cost sharing and plan design of health insurance shall be

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applicable to all new and existing retirees.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01931

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