AN ACT RELATIVE TO HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON.
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, all actions, proceedings and policies of the town of Huntington, undertaken or adopted pursuant to chapter 32B of the General Laws are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding any defect or omission in the process of acceptance of said chapter 32B or any sections thereof.
SECTION 2. The provisions of chapter 32B of the General Laws and any sections thereof that are applicable to the 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. (a) Notwithstanding section 2 and any other general or special law to the contrary, the town of Huntington shall contribute 50 per cent 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 elects coverage under the town’s group health insurance. 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.
(b) After June 30, 2016, upon separation from employment with the town of Huntington, 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; provided, however, that an eligible retiree who retired after June 30, 2016 and prior to the effective date of this act may elect 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, within 30 days of the effective date of this act. 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 rights or participate in the town’s group health insurance program.
SECTION 4. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the town of Huntington shall contribute 60 per cent of the cost of the premium for group health insurance provided by the town to pay eligible employee who is hired after June 30, 2017 and who elects coverage under the town’s group health insurance.
(b) This section shall not affect the percentage contribution made by the town of Huntington towards the cost of the premium for group health insurance provided by the town for eligible employees hired on or before June 30, 2017 who participate in a health insurance plan offered by the town.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved, January 11, 2019.