NOTE:  This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor.  To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
      history, or the Session Laws.
      
      
      HOUSE BILL 10-1427
      
      
      BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Todd, Hullinghorst, Kerr A., Levy,
      Primavera, Solano, Summers, Ryden, Apuan, Labuda, McFadyen,
      Merrifield, Priola, Carroll T.;
      also SENATOR(S) Heath, Bacon, Hodge, Hudak, King K., Williams,
      Newell.
      
      
      Concerning the authority of institutions of higher education to
           offer group benefit coverage to employees of the institution
           who are in the state personnel system.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  24-50-104 (1) (a) (I), Colorado Revised Statutes, is
      amended to read:
      
           24-50-104.  Job evaluation and compensation.  (1)  Total
      compensation philosophy.  (a) (I)  It is the policy of the state to provide
      prevailing total compensation to officers and employees in the state
      personnel system to ensure the recruitment, motivation, and retention of a
      qualified and competent work force.  For purposes of this section, "total
      compensation" includes, but is not limited to, salary, group benefit plans,
      retirement benefits, performance awards, incentives, premium pay practices,
      and leave.  For purposes of this section, "group benefit plans" means group
      benefit coverages contracted for or administered by the state personnel
      director for medical, dental, and life benefits as described in section
      24-50-603 (9).
      
           SECTION 2.  24-50-603 (9), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended
      to read:
      
           24-50-603.  Definitions.  As used in this part 6, unless the context
      otherwise requires:
      
           (9)  "Group benefit plans" means any group benefit coverages
      contracted for or administered by the director, including but not limited to,
      medical, dental, life, and disability benefits.  For purposes of section
      24-50-104 (1) (a) (I), "group benefit plans" includes any group
      benefit coverages offered by a state institution of higher
      education to employees of such institution who are in the state
      personnel system.
      
           SECTION 3.  24-50-607 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended
      to read:
      
           24-50-607.  Employees - eligibility - election of coverage.  (1)  Any
      state employee eligible as determined by the director for membership in a
      group benefit plan contracted for pursuant to section 24-50-604 (1) (b) upon
      the effective date of such plan shall be enrolled in the plan by upon making
      application according to the director's procedures.
      
           SECTION 4.  Part 6 of article 50 of title 24, Colorado Revised
      Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
      
           24-50-618.  Group benefit plans - institutions of higher
      education.  A state institution of higher education that has, in the
      plan year immediately preceding the effective date of this section,
      offered one or more group benefit plans other than a plan
      contracted for by the director pursuant to this part 6 to
      employees of the institution who are in the state personnel system
      may continue to offer group benefit plans to such employees. 
      Nothing in this part 6 shall be construed to otherwise limit or
      expand the authority of any institution of higher education to
      establish and offer benefit plans to its employees.
      
           SECTION 5.  Safety clause.  The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ________________________________________________________
      Terrance D. Carroll                Brandon C. Shaffer
      SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE                     PRESIDENT OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Marilyn Eddins                          Karen Goldman
      CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE                 SECRETARY OF
      OF REPRESENTATIVES                         THE SENATE
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    Bill Ritter, Jr.
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO