Minnesota Session Laws - 1999, Regular Session

                             CHAPTER 12-H.F.No. 49 
                  An act relating to public employees; making certain 
                  changes relating to health coverage for survivors of 
                  police officers and firefighters killed in the line of 
                  duty; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 
                  299A.465, subdivision 2. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 299A.465, 
        subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [OFFICER OR FIREFIGHTER KILLED IN LINE OF DUTY.] 
        (a) This subdivision applies when a peace officer or firefighter 
        is killed while on duty and discharging the officer's or 
        firefighter's duties as a peace officer or firefighter. 
           (b) The officer's or firefighter's employer shall continue 
        to cover the deceased officer's or firefighter's dependents, 
        including the officer's or firefighter's spouse: 
           (1) if the officer or firefighter was receiving dependent 
        coverage at the time of the officer's or firefighter's death 
        under the employer's group health plan; or 
           (2) if the officer's or firefighter's spouse was not 
        covered as a dependent at the time of the officer's or 
        firefighter's death, but at that time was eligible, or afterward 
        becomes eligible, to be a dependent on the employer's group 
        health plan. 
           (c) The employer is responsible for the employer's 
        contribution for the coverage of the officer's or firefighter's 
        dependents.  Coverage must continue for a dependent of the 
        officer or firefighter for the period of time that the person is 
        a dependent up to the age of 65. 
           Sec. 2.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment 
        and applies to health coverage on or after that date with 
        respect to dependents of peace officers and firefighters killed 
        on or after November 1, 1997. 
           Presented to the governor March 12, 1999 
           Signed by the governor March 16, 1999, 2:15 p.m.