WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 995

An Act relative to GIC healthcare coverage for group 4 members pending disability retirement

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Cronin

Keeps GIC health coverage for Group 4 members during disability retirement review; coverage stays active until retirement is approved.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 995

Summary: Senate Docket No. 995 — An Act relative to GIC healthcare coverage for group 4 members pending disability retirement

Overview

This bill seeks to protect health coverage under the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) for Group 4 state employees who apply for, or are in the process of, accidental or ordinary disability retirement. Specifically, it would amend existing law to prevent termination of GIC health benefits during the disability retirement review and until retirement is approved.

  • Bill number: SD 995
  • Title: An Act relative to GIC healthcare coverage for group 4 members pending disability retirement
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Sponsor: Senator John J. Cronin
  • Status: House concurred (as of the provided information)
  • Related action: Similar matter previously filed in 2023-2024 as Senate No. 1634
  • Filed/ docketing: Senate Docket No. 995, filed January 15, 2025; petition filed with accompanying bill

Key Provisions

  • Core change: Adds a new paragraph to Section 28N of Chapter 32 of the General Laws.
  • Specific text (proposed): “(b) When any Group 4 member has applied and/or going through the accidental or ordinary disability retirement process said member's GIC health care benefits will not be terminated and be continued until the member's retirement is approved.”
  • Scope: Applies only to Group 4 members while they are in the disability retirement process; does not alter the entitlement or terms of disability retirement itself, nor does it explicitly extend coverage beyond retirement approval.
  • Mechanism: The bill would codify continued health coverage by GIC during the disability determination and processing period, preventing lapse of benefits prior to retirement approval.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Group 4 state employees who have applied for or are undergoing accidental or ordinary disability retirement.
  • Beneficiary impact: Maintains uninterrupted GIC health coverage during the disability retirement review, reducing potential gaps in coverage during the transition period.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative actions noted:
    • 2025-02-27: Referred to the committee on Public Service
    • 2025-02-27: House concurred
  • Effective date: Not specified in the provided text. If enacted, the change would take effect according to standard statutory language upon passage or a specified effective date.
  • Legislative history: Acknowledges a related measure in the prior session (Senate No. 1634, 2023-2024), indicating ongoing interest in preserving health coverage during disability processes.

Potential Policy and Fiscal Implications

  • Policy aim: Provide continuity of health benefits for employees during disability adjudication, reducing exposure to gaps in coverage.
  • Fiscal considerations: The bill could have short-term implications for GIC, as benefits would continue during disability processing; long-term fiscal impact would depend on the duration of disability determinations and any interactions with other retirement provisions.
  • Administrative impact: Requires alignment of GIC policy with disability determination timelines to ensure uninterrupted coverage.

Notes

  • The bill is a targeted change intended to protect health coverage during disability proceedings for Group 4 members, without broad changes to other groups or to retirement benefits themselves.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.