H. B. 2655
(By Delegates Rodighiero and Reynolds)
[Introduced February 19, 2009; referred to the
Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §5-16-23 of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to participation in the Public
Employees Health Insurance plan.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §5-16-23 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 16. WEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INSURANCE ACT.
§5-16-23. Members of Legislature may be covered, if cost of the
entire coverage is paid by such members; coverage for
crime watch volunteers.
Notwithstanding the definition of the term "employee"
contained in section two of this article and notwithstanding any
other provision of this article to the contrary, the following
groups of public servants are eligible for coverage under the West
Virginia Public Employees Insurance:
(a) Members of the Legislature may participate in and be
covered by any insurance plan or plans authorized hereunder for
state officers and employees, except that all members of the
Legislature who elect to participate in or to be covered by any
such plan or plans shall pay their proportionate individual share
of the full cost for all group coverage on themselves and their
spouses and dependents, so that there will be no cost to the state
for the coverage of any such members, spouses and dependents.
(b) Volunteer members, who have completed approved training
and are actively involved in a neighborhood Crime Watch Patrol,
duly organized under the auspices of the National Crime Prevention
Council, shall be eligible for coverage under the West Virginia
Public Employees Insurance health coverage plan and the cost for
coverage on themselves and their spouses and dependents will be
covered by the state. These members shall also be covered by a
$25,000 life insurance policy under the Public Employees Insurance
policy with the premium costs paid for by the state.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide health and life
insurance coverage for Crime Watch Members.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.