HB1252 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 06419 AEK 46501 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1252

Introduced 02/08/11, by Rep. Deborah Mell

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 1005/1005-10	was 20 ILCS 1005/43a
20 ILCS 1005/1005-165 new

Amends the Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Employment Security shall create a COBRA Relief Program under which an individual who is receiving regular or extended unemployment insurance benefits and is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage may apply to the Department for participation in the Program. Provides that, under the program, an individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage are limited to 25% of the amount of his or her unemployment insurance benefits, the individual certifies to the Department, by the first day of each month, the total cost of COBRA benefits paid by the person in the preceding month, and the Department pays the remainder of individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage. Sets forth criteria for expiration of an individual's eligibility and provides for the adoption of rules to implement and administer the Program.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning the Department of Employment Security.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Employment Security Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Section 1005-10 and by adding Section 1005-165 as follows:

(20 ILCS 1005/1005-10) (was 20 ILCS 1005/43a)

Sec. 1005-10. Powers, generally. The Department has the powers and duties enumerated in the following Sections.

(Source: P.A. 91-239, eff. 1-1-00.)

(20 ILCS 1005/1005-165 new)

Sec. 1005-165. COBRA Relief Program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Employment Security shall create a COBRA Relief Program as set forth in this Section.

(b) As used in this Section:

(1) "COBRA continuation coverage" has the meaning ascribed to that term in 29 CFR 2590.701-2.

(2) "Eligible individual" means an individual who: (i) is receiving regular or extended unemployment insurance benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act; and (ii) is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage.

(c) An eligible individual may apply to the Department for participation in the COBRA Relief Program under which: (1) the individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage are limited to 25% of the amount of his or her unemployment insurance benefits; (2) the individual certifies to the Department, by the first day of each month, the total cost of COBRA benefits paid by the person in the preceding month; and (3) the Department pays the remainder of individual's costs of COBRA continuation coverage.

(d) An eligible individual's eligibility under the COBRA Relief Program shall expire when: (1) the individual ceases to meet either of the criteria set forth in subdivision (2) of subsection (b); (2) the individual fails to comply with this Section or the rules of the Department; or (3) the individual elects to discontinue his or her participation in the COBRA Relief Program.

(e) The Department is authorized to adopt all rules necessary to implement and administer the COBRA Relief Program under this Section.