SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, all actions, proceedings, and policies of the Town of Huntington, undertaken or adopted under the authority of Chapter 32B of the Massachusetts General Laws are hereby ratified, validated, and confirmed, notwithstanding any defect or omission in the process of acceptance of the said Chapter, or any of its sections.

SECTION 2. The provisions of General Laws Chapter 32B and any sections thereof that are applicable to past and present health insurance benefits offered by the Town of Huntington, including, but not limited to, Sections 7, 7A, 9, 9A, 10, and 16, are hereby deemed to have been accepted by and be in effect with respect to the Town of Huntington.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, including Section 2 above, the Town of Huntington shall contribute 50 percent of the cost of the premium for group health insurance provided by the Town to any eligible retiree who retires after June 30, 2016 and who elects coverage under the Town’s group health insurance; and the Town shall not contribute any portion of the cost of the premium for group health insurance provided by the Town to any eligible retiree who retires on or before June 30, 2016.

SECTION 4. Upon separation from employment with the Town of Huntington after June 30, 2016, an eligible retiree may elect at the time of separation of employment to continue participation in the town’s group health care insurance program, subject to the terms and underwriting conditions of the town’s in-force insurance providers.  An eligible retiree who fails to exercise his or her election within 30 calendar days of retirement from the Town shall be deemed to have waived his or her right to participate in the Town’s group health insurance program.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.