By Representative Speranzo of Pittsfield and Senator Downing, joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4137) of Christopher N. Speranzoand  Benjamin B. Downing (with the approval of the mayor and city council) relative to healthinsurance benefits for retired employees of the city of Pittsfield. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Christopher N. Speranzo

Benjamin B. Downing

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act Relative to the Health Insurance of Retired Employees of the City of Pittsfield

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any employee who retires from the service of the City of Pittsfield or has retired from the service of the City of Pittsfield and is enrolled in a health or dental plan offered by the City and who, on the date of their retirement, received an eighty percent contribution to said health or dental plan from the City of Pittsfield and their spouse and dependents shall be entitled to continue to receive an eighty percent of premium contribution from the City of Pittsfield for so long as the retiree remains continuously enrolled in the benefit plan, notwithstanding any alteration in health plan premiums by the City.

SECTION 2.   Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any employee who retires from the service of the City of Pittsfield or has retired from the service of the City of Pittsfield and is enrolled in a health or dental plan offered by the City and who, on the date of their retirement, received a ninety percent contribution to said health or dental plan from the City of Pittsfield and their spouse and dependents shall be entitled to continue to receive a ninety percent of premium contribution from

the City of Pittsfield for so long as the retiree remains continuously enrolled in the benefit plan, notwithstanding any alteration in health plan premiums by the City.

SECTION 3.    If the Commonwealth mandates an increase in the minimum percentage contribution active employees only shall pay toward their health insurance, the provisions of this Act governing the percentages to be paid by retirees shall not be affected.

SECTION 4.   This Act shall take effect upon its passage.