Report Title:

Insurance; 24-hr Coverage

Description:

Funds a study group to address 24-hour coverage.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

981

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for a study on 24-hour coverage.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. There is established a legislative study group to address the issue of implementing 24-hour coverage in Hawaii. The study group shall address the means by which the State can combine prepaid health care, temporary disability insurance, motor vehicle insurance, and other related insurance systems in order to prevent duplication of coverage and avoid delays in the delivery of health care. The study group shall specifically address the issue of allowing an employee to access medical services through the routes normally used under prepaid health care.

The study group shall develop initiatives to effectuate 24-hour coverage, including recommended statutory changes to the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The study group shall be exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and its members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The chairs of the house committee on labor and the senate committee on labor shall serve as co-chairs of the study group. Members of the study group shall include:

(1) The director of labor and industrial relations or the director's designee;

(2) The director of commerce and consumer affairs or the director's designee;

(3) The commissioner of the insurance division or the commissioner's designee; and

(4) Any other individuals deemed to have expertise and experience.

SECTION 2. The study group shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2006.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, to support the study group on 24-hour coverage.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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