PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 347

[8-102.] 2-502.

(a)     There is a State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program,
to be developed and administered by the Secretary.

(b)     (1) The Program:

(i) subject to the regulations adopted under [ § 8-103] § 2-503 of this
subtitle, shall encompass all units in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of
State government, including any unit with an independent personnel system;

(ii) shall include the health insurance benefit options established by
the Secretary; and

(iii) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, may include
any other benefit option that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2) The Program may not contain any of the benefits provided under
Division II or Title 35 or Title 37 of this article.

[8-103.] 2-503.

(a)     The Secretary shall:

(1)     adopt regulations for the administration of the Program;

(2)     ensure that the Program complies with all federal and State laws
governing employee benefit plans; and

(3)     each year, recommend to the Governor the State share of the costs of
the Program.

(b)     The Secretary may arrange as the Secretary considers appropriate any benefit
option for inclusion in the Program.

(c)     The Secretary shall specify by regulation the types or categories of State
employees who:

(1)     are eligible to enroll and participate in the Program with State subsidies;

(2)     are eligible to enroll and participate in the Program without State
subsidies; and

(3)     are not eligible to enroll or participate in the Program.

(d)     (1) The regulations adopted by the Secretary shall include provisions for the
enrollment and participation of employees of all:

(i) organizations and entities that were participating in the Program
as satellite organizations on January 1, 1993; and

(ii) employee organizations that qualify for payroll deductions under
the provisions of [ § 6-402] § 2-403 of this [ article] TITLE.

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