HBA-SEB H.B. 2424 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2424
By: Coleman
Pensions and Investments
3/25/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 75th Texas Legislature amended Article 3.51-14 of the Insurance Code,
which relates to coverage for certain serious mental illnesses.  In the
Insurance Code, however, some conflicting language exists regarding serious
mental illnesses with respect to the Texas State Employees Uniform Group
Insurance Benefits Act, the Texas State College and University Employees
Uniform Insurance Benefits Act, and local government insurance provisions.
As a result, the Texas Department of Insurance has encountered difficulties
in the application of Article 3.51-14.  H.B. 2424 modifies the language of
that article to specify that it does not apply to coverage under the
aforementioned plans. 
  
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2(b), Article 3.51-14, Insurance Code, to
provide that this article (Coverage for Certain Serious Mental Illnesses)
does not apply to coverage under a plan offered under the Texas Employees
Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act or the Texas State College and
University Employees Uniform Insurance Benefits Act or in accordance with
Article 3.51-5A (Local Governments Prohibited from Excluding or Limiting
Certain Coverages) of this code.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive
changes.   

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.