HB 430 — The emergency medical services personnel retention benef

90R4269 KRM-D By: Martinez H.B. No. 430 relating to the emergency medical services personnel retention benefit program administered by the Department of State Health Services.

SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 66 to read as follows: CHAPTER 66. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL RETENTION BENEFIT PROGRAM Sec. 66.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Board of trustees" means the board of trustees of the Employees Retirement System of Texas. (2) "Program" means the emergency medical services personnel retention benefit program established under Section 66.002. (3) "Year of service" means a year in which an individual: (A) was employed or volunteered as emergency medical services personnel; and (B) served in that role for at least 1,000 hours. Sec. 66.002. ESTABLISHMENT. The department shall, in coordination with the board of trustees, establish and administer the emergency medical services personnel retention benefit program to provide life and health benefits to certain lifetime emergency medical services personnel and incentivize the retention of those personnel. Sec. 66.003. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS; REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE COVERAGE. (a) An individual may apply to the department in the form and manner prescribed by department rule to receive program benefits. (b) An individual is eligible for program benefits if the individual: (1) holds or held a license or certification under Chapter 773 as: (A) an emergency medical technician; (B) an advanced emergency medical technician; or (C) a licensed paramedic; (2) has accumulated at least 30 years of service; and (3) is a resident of this state at the time of application for program benefits. (c) The department shall provide coverage described by Section 66.004 to an individual the department determines is eligible under this section. Sec. 66.004. LIFE AND HEALTH BENEFIT COVERAGE. (a) A life insurance policy provided under the program must provide a death benefit in the amount of $100,000. (b) Health benefit coverage provided under the program must consist of: (1) for an individual who is not eligible for Medicare coverage, a health benefit plan that provides coverage substantially equivalent to health benefit plan coverage provided under the group benefits program under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code; and (2) for an individual who is eligible for Medicare coverage, both: (A) a Medicare supplement benefit plan, as defined by Section 1652.002(a), Insurance Code; and (B) premium assistance drug coverage under Medicare Part D. Sec. 66.005. CONTINUOUS COVERAGE. An individual who is eligible for program benefits remains eligible for those benefits for the duration of the individual's life. Sec. 66.006. ALLOCATION OF PREMIUM COSTS. The department shall pay insurance premiums for life and health benefit coverage provided to eligible individuals under the program. Sec. 66.007. CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS. The department may enter into contracts and agreements as necessary to implement this chapter, including interagency agreements to provide benefits to individuals who are eligible to receive program benefits. Sec. 66.008. FUNDING. From money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the department shall: (1) administer the program; and (2) provide program benefits to eligible individuals. Sec. 66.009. RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.