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MaineLD 707132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Amend the Membership of the State Employee Health Commission and Make Referential Changes to the Office of Employee Health, Wellness and Workers' Compensation

Sponsored By: Kristi Mathieson (Democratic)

Became Law

INSURANCEINSURANCE - STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH COMMISSION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New funds to stabilize state health plan

The state creates a non-lapsing internal service fund for health plan premiums and other receipts. Interest stays in the fund. The law also creates a separate reserve fund to cover unexpected or self-insured losses. The Treasurer invests the reserve, and money can come from premiums, appropriations, and agency payments. These funds protect the plan and can help steady premiums.

Employees with 25 years can keep coverage

If you leave state service but do not retire and have at least 25 years of creditable service, you can elect once to keep state health coverage until you retire. You must remain a Maine PERS member. You must pay the full premium and any administrative charges set by the Office. If you stop paying, coverage can be cancelled under state insurance laws. You still may choose coverage again when you retire.

Annual reports and teacher plan data

The Office sends the Governor a yearly report on participant counts, premiums, benefit use, costs, and recommendations. Providers of retired teachers’ health plans must give the Office premium and related cost data on request. This improves oversight and cost transparency.

Central office runs plan and appeals

The Department of Administrative and Financial Services runs the state employee health program through the Office of Employee Health, Wellness and Workers' Compensation. An Executive Director manages daily operations and follows commission rules. Appeals by eligible employees and retirees go to hearing officers named by the commission. Administrative costs must come from a negotiated allowance with carriers, and the law bans charging indirect costs to the plan.

New health commission structure and voting

The law resets the State Employee Health Commission as a 24-member body with named labor and management seats. Two office leaders serve as ex officio, nonvoting members, and the Executive Director serves as chair. All votes count as one labor vote and one management vote. The commission is the trustee for the group plan and advises state leaders on health, dental, wellness, and workers’ compensation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kristi Mathieson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 48

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    4/23/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/22/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-50) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-50), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    4/17/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-50).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/15/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. Received by the Clerk of the House on February 20, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH COVERAGE, INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    2/20/2025House

Bill Text

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