INS CD-CONTINUING COVERAGE House SponsorsRep. Karen May-Barbara Flynn Currie-Carolyn H. Krause-David E. Miller-Frank J. Mautino, Kathleen A. Ryg, Patricia R. Bellock and Fred Crespo Senate Sponsors(Sen. Susan Garrett) 1/13/2009HouseSession Sine Die 215 ILCS 5/367efrom Ch. 73, par. 979e Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an employee or member or the eligible dependent of an employee or member is eligible for continuing coverage under a group insurance policy for up to 12 months (instead of 9 months) after the date the employee's or member's insurance under the policy would otherwise have terminated because of termination of employment or membership or reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan. Provides that the employer must give written notice of the employee's option to elect continuation coverage directly to the employee or send the notice to the employee via certified mail within 10 days after the employee's termination or reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan. Provides that an employee or member who wishes continuation of coverage must request such continuation in writing within the 30 day (instead of ten-day) period following the later of: (i) the date of such termination or reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan, or (ii) the date the employee is given written notice of the right of continuation by either the employer or the group policyholder. Provides that the written notice provided to an employee must include an explanation that his or her option for continuation coverage will expire within the 30 day period following the later of (i) the date of such termination of employment or reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan, or (ii) the date the employee is given written notice of the right of continuation by either the employer or group policyholder. Provides that any employer who fails to provide the notice required in the provision is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined $500. Effective immediately.House Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to:215 ILCS 125/4-9.2from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1409.2-2Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that upon termination or reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan, written notice of continuation shall be presented to the insurer and may be given to the employee by the insurer. Provides that in the event the employer fails or refuses to provide notice of continuation rights to the employee or member, the insurer is required to mail notice of the continuation rights to the employee or member at the last known address of the employee. Provides that in the event the employee or member contacts the insurer regarding continuation rights and advises that notice has not been provided by the employer or group policyholder, the insurer shall mail out notice to that individual. Changes a condition of termination of the continuation of insurance under the group policy for a person when the person becomes eligible for Medicare or is covered by any other insured or uninsured plan that provides certain coverage and under which the person was not covered immediately to 18 months (instead of 12 months) after the date the employee's or member's insurance under the policy would otherwise have terminated because of termination of employment or membership or reduction in hours. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act to incorporate the written notice, penalty, and condition of termination provisions as they relate to continuation of group HMO coverage after termination of employee or membership. Provides that there is no rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion. Effective immediately. 2/7/2008HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Karen May 2/8/2008HouseFirst Reading 2/8/2008HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/3/2008HouseAssigned to Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/11/2008HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Health Care Availability and Access Committee 3/11/2008HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Health Care Availability and Access Committee; by Voice Vote 3/11/2008HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Health Care Availability and Access Committee; 013-000-000 3/13/2008HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 4/1/2008HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/1/2008HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/2/2008HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie 4/2/2008HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Carolyn H. Krause 4/2/2008HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. David E. Miller 4/2/2008HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-001-000 4/2/2008HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Frank J. Mautino 4/2/2008HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg 4/2/2008HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Patricia R. Bellock 4/2/2008HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo 4/3/2008SenateArrive in Senate 4/3/2008SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading 4/3/2008SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Susan Garrett 4/3/2008SenateFirst Reading 4/3/2008SenateReferred to Rules 5/15/2008SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 22, 2008; Substantive House Bills Out of Committee 1/13/2009HouseSession Sine Die