By Mr. Pacheco, a petition (accompanied by bill,
Senate, No. 2157) of Marc Pacheco and Susan W. Gifford (by
vote of the town) for legislation relative to provision of
health insurance to surviving spouses of long-term
employees of the town of Wareham. Public Service. {Local
approval received.} |
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 the provisions of chapter 32B of the General Laws, or of any other general or special law to the contrary, upon the death of an employee or a retired employee who has been continuously employed by the town of Wareham for at least 20 years, the surviving spouse may continue the group general or blanket insurance coverage for the surviving spouse and dependents of the deceased employee providing hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health benefits on the same terms and conditions and upon payment of the same premium as retired employees of the town, until the remarriage or death of said surviving spouse; provided, that application for such insurance coverage shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with the appropriate public authority’s rules and regulations.
SECTION 2. Upon the death of any other employee or retired employee of the town of Wareham, the surviving spouse may continue the group general or blanket insurance coverage for the surviving spouse and dependents of the deceased employee providing hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health benefits, until the remarriage or death of said surviving spouse; provided, that application for such insurance coverage shall be filed with the appropriate public authority and a method for the payment of premiums shall be determined in accordance with its rules and regulations; and provided, further, that said surviving spouse shall pay the entire cost of such premiums without any contribution by the town of Wareham.
SECTION 3. The provisions of this act shall be applicable to all surviving spouses of a deceased employee or retired employee who has been continuously employed by the town of Wareham for at least 20 years and who are participating in the town’s health insurance plans as of the effective date of this act.
SECTION 4. The Wareham board of selectmen is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations, as may be necessary or desirable to implement the provisions of this act.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.
