PART 3. TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS
CHAPTER 41. HEALTH CARE AND INSURANCE PROGRAMS
SUBCHAPTER A. RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS (TRS-CARE)
The Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) adopts new §41.15 relating to Optional Dental Benefits Plan, of Subchapter A, Chapter 41, Title 34, Part 3, of the Texas Administrative Code without changes to the proposed text as originally published in the March 15, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 1701). The rule will not be republished.
REASONED JUSTIFICATION
TRS adopts new §41.15 to administer and implement new §1575.1601 of the Insurance Code which was introduced and enacted by Senate Bill (S.B.) 1854, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
S.B. 1854 amended Chapter 1575 of the Insurance Code (TRS-Care) by adding a new §1575.1601, concerning Group Benefits for Dental and Vision Care, which requires the Board of Trustees ("the trustee") to establish or contract for and make available under the group program an optional plan that provides coverage for dental care.
New §41.15 establishes the rules that will apply to the optional dental benefits plan, including eligibility terms, definition of the plan year, enrollment and disenrollment terms, payment of contributions towards coverage, effective dates of coverage, expulsion for fraud, and competitive bidding.
COMMENTS
No comments on the proposed adoption were received.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
New §41.15 is being adopted under the authority of Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, which establishes the Texas Public School Retired Employees Group Benefits Act (TRS-Care), §1575.052, which allows the trustee to adopt rules, plans, procedures, and orders reasonably necessary to implement Chapter 1575; Chapter 825, Government Code, which governs the administration of TRS;§825.102 of the Government Code, which authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt rules for the transaction of the business of the board, and Senate Bill (S.B.) 1854 as enrolled by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, on May 26, 2023 and effective on September 1, 2023.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO STATUTE
New §41.15 implements Insurance Code §1575.1601, concerning Group Benefits for Dental and Vision Care.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 6, 2024.
TRD-202402001
Don Green
Chief Financial Officer
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Effective date: May 26, 2024
Proposal publication date: March 15, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 542-3528
The Board of Trustees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) adopts new §41.16 relating to Optional Vision Benefits Plan, of Subchapter A, Chapter 41, in Title 34, Part 3, of the Texas Administrative Code without changes to the proposed text as originally published in the March 15, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 1703). The rule will not be republished.
REASONED JUSTIFICATION
TRS adopts new §41.16 to administer and implement new §1575.1601 of the Insurance Code which was introduced and enacted by Senate Bill (S.B.) 1854, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.
S.B. 1854 amended Chapter 1575 of the Insurance Code (TRS-Care) by adding a new § 1575.1601, concerning Group Benefits for Dental and Vision Care, which requires the Board of Trustees ("the trustee") to establish or contract for and make available under the group program an optional plan that provides coverage for vision care.
New §41.16 establishes the rules that will apply to the optional vision benefits plan, including eligibility terms, definition of the plan year, enrollment and disenrollment terms, payment of contributions towards coverage, effective dates of coverage, expulsion for fraud, and competitive bidding.
COMMENTS
No comments on the proposed adoption were received.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
New §41.16 is being adopted under the authority of Chapter 1575, Insurance Code, which establishes the Texas Public School Retired Employees Group Benefits Act (TRS-Care), §1575.052, which allows the trustee to adopt rules, plans, procedures, and orders reasonably necessary to implement Chapter 1575; Chapter 825, Government Code, which governs the administration of TRS;§825.102 of the Government Code, which authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt rules for the transaction of the business of the board, and Senate Bill (S.B.) 1854 as enrolled by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, on May 26, 2023 and effective on September 1, 2023.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO STATUTE
New §41.16 implements Insurance Code §1575.1601 concerning Group Benefits for Dental and Vision Care.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 6, 2024.
TRD-202402002
Don Green
Chief Financial Officer
Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Effective date: May 26, 2024
Proposal publication date: March 15, 2024
For further information, please call: (512) 542-3528