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An Act To Allow the Spouse of a Retired Public Employee a Second Chance To Be Enrolled under the Retiree's Insurance Plan
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §285, sub-§3-B, ¶A,  as enacted by PL 2001, c. 641, §1, is amended to read:
 
A. Upon retirement, the retiree may enroll a spouse and dependent or dependents for coverage under the plan effective on the date of retirement; or
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §285, sub-§3-B, ¶B,  as enacted by PL 2001, c. 641, §1, is amended to read:
 
B. Subsequent to retirement, the retiree may enroll a spouse and dependent or dependents for coverage under the plan if:
 
(1) At the time of retirement, the retiree designated in writing the name of the spouse and dependent or dependents to be enrolled at a future date; and
 
(2) The spouse and dependent or dependents can demonstrate coverage for at least 18 months immediately prior to enrollment under another health insurance plan or can demonstrate that health insurance coverage for that person pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 under a prior plan has been exhausted.; or
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §285, sub-§3-B, ¶C  is enacted to read:
 
C.  Subsequent to retirement, if the spouse of a retiree changes jobs or retires, the retiree may make a one-time election to enroll that spouse for coverage under the plan.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows a retiree covered by the state group health insurance plan to enroll a spouse for coverage under that plan if the spouse changes jobs or retires.