SF 4566

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 05/04/2022 08:02am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; modifying the public employees insurance program;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.316, subdivisions 5, 7.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.316, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Public employee participation.

(a) Participation in the program is subject to
the conditions in this subdivision.

(b) Each exclusive representative for an eligible employer determines whether the
employees it represents will participate in the program. The exclusive representative shall
give the employer notice of intent to participate at least 30 days before the expiration date
of the collective bargaining agreement preceding the collective bargaining agreement that
covers the date of entry into the program. The exclusive representative and the eligible
employer shall give notice to the commissioner of the determination to participate in the
program at least 30 days before entry into the program. Entry into the program is governed
by a schedule established by the commissioner.

(c) Employees not represented by exclusive representatives may become members of
the program upon a determination of an eligible employer to include these employees in
the program. Either all or none of the employer's unrepresented employees must participate.
The eligible employer shall give at least 30 days' notice to the commissioner before entering
the program. Entry into the program is governed by a schedule established by the
commissioner.

(d) Participation in the program is for a two-year term. Participation is automatically
renewed for an additional two-year term unless the exclusive representative, or the employer
for unrepresented employees, gives the commissioner notice of withdrawal at least 30 days
before expiration of the participation period. A group that withdraws must wait two years
before rejoining. An exclusive representative, or employer for unrepresented employees,
may also withdraw if premiums increase deleted text begin 50 deleted text end new text begin 20 new text end percent or more from one insurance year to
the next.

(e) The exclusive representative shall give the employer notice of intent to withdraw to
the commissioner at least 30 days before the expiration date of a collective bargaining
agreement that includes the date on which the term of participation expires.

(f) Each participating eligible employer shall notify the commissioner of names of
individuals who will be participating within two weeks of the commissioner receiving notice
of the parties' intent to participate. The employer shall also submit other information as
required by the commissioner for administration of the program.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 43A.316, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Premiums.

The proportion of premium paid by the employer and employee is
subject to collective bargaining or personnel policies. If, at the beginning of the coverage
period, no collective bargaining agreement has been finalized, the increased dollar costs, if
any, from the previous year is the sole responsibility of the individual participant until a
collective bargaining agreement states otherwise. Premiums, including an administration
fee, shall be established by the commissioner. new text begin School district groups with 400 or fewer
eligible employees who are currently enrolled or elect to enroll, measured at the time of
enrollment, shall receive a direct contribution to assist in the cost of coverage for small
employers. This contribution shall be equivalent to $2,000 per insurance-eligible employee
in the group and shall be used to reduce the cost of the premium before the contractual
premium proportion is applied. new text end Each employer shall pay monthly the amounts due for
employee benefits including the amounts under subdivision 8 to the commissioner no later
than the dates established by the commissioner. If an employer fails to make the payments
as required, the commissioner may cancel program benefits and pursue other civil remedies.