AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE HAMPSHIRE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purposes, which are forthwith to make supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2019 and to make certain changes in law, each of which is immediately necessary to carry out those appropriations or to accomplish other important public purposes, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
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. To provide for certain unanticipated obligations of the commonwealth, to provide for an alteration of purpose for current appropriations and to meet certain requirements of law, the sum set forth in section 2A is hereby appropriated from the General Fund unless specifically designated otherwise in this act, for the several purposes and subject to the conditions specified in this act and subject to the laws regulating the disbursement of public funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The sum set forth in section 2A shall be made available until June 30, 2020.
SECTION 2A.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Reserves
1599-1850.. For a reserve to meet the expenses related to the dissolution of the Hampshire council of governments; provided, that funds may be transferred to the Hampshire county group insurance trust to ensure continued health care coverage and related benefits for retired employees of Hampshire county and the surviving spouses of retired employees of Hampshire county whose employer contributions were paid or payable by the Hampshire council of governments; and provided further, that funds may be transferred to the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund, established pursuant to section 24 of chapter 32A of the General Laws, for the provision of health care coverage for retirees whose employer contribution was paid or payable by the Hampshire council of governments................................... $250,000
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, retired employees of Hampshire county and the surviving spouses of retired employees of Hampshire county who are eligible for group insurance coverage under chapter 32B of the General Laws or who are insured under said chapter 32B shall have such eligibility and coverage transferred to the jurisdiction of the group insurance commission and such persons shall cease to be eligible or insured under said chapter 32B. The group insurance commission shall provide uninterrupted coverage to such retired employees and surviving spouses for benefits available to state retirees to the extent authorized under chapter 32A of the General Laws. All questions relating to group insurance rights, obligations, costs and payments shall be determined by the group insurance commission and shall include the manner and method for the payment of all required premiums applicable to all such coverage.
Approved, August 29, 2019.