AN ACT REGULATING THE PROVISION OF HEALTH INSURANCE TO SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF WAREHAM.
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 chapter 32B of the General Laws or of any other general or special law to the contrary, upon the death of an employee or retired employee who had 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 the 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 the surviving spouse. An 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.
SECTION 2. Upon the death of an employee or retired employee of the town of Wareham who has not been continuously employed by the town for at least 20 years, the surviving spouse may continue the group general or blanket insurance coverage for the surviving spouse and the dependents of the deceased employee providing hospital, surgical, medical, dental and other health benefits until the remarriage or death of the surviving spouse. An 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. A surviving spouse shall pay the entire cost of premiums for insurance coverage provided under this section without any contribution by the town of Wareham.
SECTION 3. This act shall be applicable to any surviving spouse of a deceased employee or retired employee who had been continuously employed by the town of Wareham for at least 20 years if the surviving spouse is participating in the town’s health insurance plans as of the effective date of this act.
SECTION 4. The Wareham board of selectmen may issue regulations, as may be necessary or desirable to implement this act.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved June 20 , 2008