§ 6-17-1117 - Health insurance. - Arkansas Statutes

6-17-1117. Health insurance.

(a) Beginning on October 1, 2004, local school districts shall pay the health insurance contribution rate of one hundred thirty-one dollars ($131) per month for each eligible employee electing to participate in the public school employees' health insurance program.

(b) (1) (A) The Department of Education shall pay the Employee Benefits Division of the Department of Finance and Administration a minimum of sixty-one dollars ($61.00) per month for each eligible employee electing to participate in the public school employees' health insurance program administered by the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Board.

(B) The Department of Education shall make the total contributions under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section by transferring thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) to the division in eleven (11) equal monthly installments.

(2) The funds provided to the division under this subsection shall be administered by the board for the benefit of the employee participants of the public school employees' health insurance program.

(3) (A) In the event that appropriation or funding is not provided, the department shall not be responsible for the increased payments for the public school employees' health insurance program as established by this section.

(B) If funding and appropriation are provided but are inadequate for the total number of employees electing to participate in the public school employees' health insurance program, the department shall pay a proportional share on behalf of each participant.

(C) If funding and appropriation are provided and exceed the amount needed to make the minimum contribution under subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section, the department shall pay a proportional share of the excess on behalf of each participant.

(c) (1) A school district shall:

(A) Provide the same employer-provided health insurance benefits for all full-time school district employees; and

(B) Pay the same employer contribution rate for each eligible employee electing to participate in the public school employees' health insurance program.

(2) If a school district entered into a contract with a superintendent, teacher, or other personnel prior to April 11, 2006, and the contract provides for a higher employer contribution rate than is paid for a majority of the certified personnel in the school district, then the school district may continue to pay the higher contribution rate as provided under the existing contract but not under extensions, addendums, or new contracts created after April 11, 2006, without increasing all other employees to the same rate.

(3) Any school district that entered into contracts with classified personnel prior to July 31, 2007 and the contracts provided for a higher employer contribution funding amount than is paid for certified personnel in the school district shall freeze the employer contribution funding amount for classified employees until such time as the funding amount contributed for certified personnel equals or exceeds the funding amount provided for classified employees.