Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §13451, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 652, §3 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:

2. Eligibility; retired teacher members. Any retired teacher who receives a retirement benefit from the Maine State Retirement System is eligible for group accident and sickness or health insurance, provided that the retired teacher also meets the eligibility requirements for participation imposed by the group plan that governed the teacher last as an active teacher and participated in the plan for one year immediately prior to retirement or October 1, 1987, whichever comes last. Retired teachers may not be required to maintain a dues-paying membership in any organization as a requirement for participation in a group health insurance plan under this subsection. If a retired teacher who participates in the group health insurance plan under this subsection dies, the surviving spouse of the retired teacher is eligible for the same level of benefits under this subsection provided the surviving spouse also meets the eligibility requirements for participation imposed by the group plan on the retired teacher.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §13451, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 643, Pt. OO, §1 and affected by §3, is further amended to read:

3. Payment by State. The State shall pay 30% of the retired teacher members' share of this insurance. If a retired teacher member who is enrolled in the group accident and sickness or health insurance plan dies, the State shall pay 30% of the surviving spouse's share of this insurance.

SUMMARY

Current law requires the State to pay 30% of the cost of group accident and sickness or health insurance for a retired teacher. This bill allows the surviving spouse of a retired teacher to participate in the group insurance plan and requires the State to pay 30% of the share of the costs of the insurance for that surviving spouse.