SF2909 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Public employees insurance program participation by certain school employers requirement
Related bill: HF2904
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to regulate the insurance programs for Minnesota's public employees, specifically focusing on school teachers and related staff. It intends to create a mandatory health insurance pool for school employees and standardize the insurance offerings across various educational institutions, ensuring that all school employees receive similar insurance benefits.
Main Provisions
- Public Employees Insurance Program: This will now include an "Educator Group Insurance Program", specifically focused on creating a mandatory health insurance pool for school employees.
- Mandatory School Employee Pool: All eligible school employees must join this new insurance pool by January 1, 2027. School employers will be mandated to submit employee details to this pool, and coverage starts from the first day of employment.
- Insurance Coverage and Administration: Individual school employers will offer dependent coverage tiers similar to those they enter with, and may offer high-deductible plans with health savings accounts.
- Labor Management Committee: A committee of 12 members from various educational and labor organizations will oversee the Educator Group Insurance Program.
- School Employer Contributions: The bill sets a standard that school districts contribute 85% for family plans and 95% for single premium health insurance plans for their employees.
- Transition and Funding: The commissioner may impose a reserve surcharge initially to support the transition and capitalize the new insurance pool.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Repeal of Previous Subdivision: The bill repeals a subdivision from the current statutes, part of the restructuring to accommodate the new insurance pool.
- School Employee Participation Mandate: Unlike current voluntary participation, the bill mandates school employees join the new pool, aligning insurance coverage more uniformly across school districts.
- Financial Aid for Increased Costs: The bill allows school districts to apply for aid if they incur additional costs due to these new insurance requirements.
Relevant Terms
- Public employees insurance
- School employee pool
- Educator group insurance program
- Health insurance premiums
- Labor management committee
- Collective bargaining
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Education Policy |
| March 31, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| April 01, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| April 01, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"The section defined various terms relevant to the public employees insurance program including 'Employee', 'Eligible employer', and 'Exclusive representative'."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to definitions within the public employees insurance program.",
"modified": [
"Clarified the parties involved and expanded the definition sections."
]
},
"citation": "43A.316 subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for the definition of public employees regarding insurance eligibility.",
"modified": [
"Provides criteria for identifying public employees that are eligible for participation."
]
},
"citation": "179A.03 subdivision 14"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for the definition of public employers relating to insurance programs.",
"modified": [
"Used to identify eligible employers participating in the program."
]
},
"citation": "179A.03 subdivision 15"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in relation to the establishment of program models and standards for public employee insurance.",
"modified": [
"Guides the plan structure and benefits offering adjustments."
]
},
"citation": "43A.18 subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides for spousal continuation of benefits upon the death of an employee.",
"modified": [
"Outlines conditions and requirements for continuation of benefits for a spouse."
]
},
"citation": "62A.146"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cited regarding failure of payments and reduction of necessary aid to pay to the educator group insurance program.",
"modified": [
"Provides a protocol for addressing failures to make required payments."
]
},
"citation": "127A.42"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced concerning notice requirements for dissolving a self-insured plan.",
"modified": [
"Explains conditions under which notice or approval is not required."
]
},
"citation": "471.617"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Relates to service cooperatives in terms of funding for revenue equalization and health insurance.",
"modified": [
"Provides context for membership and reserve fund distribution."
]
},
"citation": "123A.21"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Concerns the definition of intermediate districts for purposes of health insurance funding.",
"modified": [
"Establishes eligibility and funding mechanisms in the context of intermediate districts."
]
},
"citation": "136D.01"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced as a law applicable to continuation of coverage rights.",
"modified": [
"Includes provisions ensuring coverage continuation under specific circumstances."
]
},
"citation": "471.61 subdivision 2b"
}
]