1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to public safety; providing for health 
  1.3             coverage continuation for peace officers and 
  1.4             firefighters disabled before July 1, 1997; amending 
  1.5             Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 299A.465, by adding a 
  1.6             subdivision. 
  1.7   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.8      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 299A.465, is 
  1.9   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  1.10     Subd. 1a.  [DISABILITY OCCURRING BEFORE JULY 1, 1997.] (a) 
  1.11  This subdivision applies to peace officers and firefighters who 
  1.12  suffered a disabling injury before July 1, 1997, that: 
  1.13     (1) resulted in the officer's or firefighter's retirement 
  1.14  or separation from service; 
  1.15     (2) occurred while the officer or firefighter was acting in 
  1.16  the course and scope of duties as a peace officer or 
  1.17  firefighter; and 
  1.18     (3) the officer or firefighter has been approved to receive 
  1.19  the officer's or firefighter's duty-related disability pension. 
  1.20     (b) The officer or firefighter may re-enroll in the health 
  1.21  plan under which the officer or firefighter was enrolled prior 
  1.22  to retirement or separation from service, or enroll in any 
  1.23  similar plan now offered by the employer, with a waiver of the 
  1.24  preexisting condition limitation if the person applies for 
  1.25  coverage within 90 days of the effective date of this act.  The 
  1.26  availability of conversion rights does not affect a person's 
  2.1   rights under this subdivision.  Coverage must be provided for: 
  2.2      (1) the officer or firefighter; and 
  2.3      (2) the officer's or firefighter's dependents if the 
  2.4   officer or firefighter was receiving dependent coverage at the 
  2.5   time of the injury under the employer's group health plan. 
  2.6      (c) The employer is responsible for the continued payment 
  2.7   of the employer's contribution for coverage of the officer or 
  2.8   firefighter and, if applicable, the officer's or firefighter's 
  2.9   dependents.  The officer or firefighter is responsible for the 
  2.10  continued payment of the remaining cost of this coverage.  
  2.11  Coverage must continue for the officer or firefighter and, if 
  2.12  applicable, the officer's or firefighter's dependents until the 
  2.13  officer or firefighter reaches the age of 65.  However, coverage 
  2.14  for dependents does not have to be continued after the person is 
  2.15  no longer a dependent.  
  2.16     Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.17     Section 1 is effective July 1, 2001.