AR HR1004

Authorizes Senator Irvin or Senator Rice to introduce a bill clarifying the definition of "eligible inactive retiree" under Arkansas Code § 21-5-407(5) for the State and Public School Life and Health Insurance Program.

Requires eligible inactive retirees (former General Assembly members or state-elected constitutional officers with sufficient credited service but not yet retirement age) to have participated in the program for at least 5 cumulative years before retirement to qualify for enrollment.

Modifies eligibility requirements under Arkansas Code § 21-5-411 for state and public school employee retirees, requiring 5 cumulative years of program participation before retirement and allowing one-time elections to participate if experiencing qualifying life events after declining coverage.

Allows inactive retirees to re-enroll in the program within 30 days of involuntary loss of other employer-sponsored health insurance coverage if they can provide proof of continuous prior coverage and 5 cumulative years of program participation before retirement.

Declares the act an emergency effective upon the Governor's approval, veto expiration, or veto override, and specifies the act does not apply to employees currently employed on the effective date.