FL S0366

School districts must procure health, accident, and hospitalization insurance through an interlocal agreement beginning July 1, 2013, unless a school board determines purchasing outside the plan is financially advantageous.

Establishes the School District Insurance Consortium governed by a nine-member board comprising three school board members, three superintendents, two teachers or support personnel, and one benefits systems expert, with 2-year terms.

Consortium must advertise for competitive bids and may award contracts on statewide or regional basis with multiple providers; school districts must engage in collective bargaining regarding coverage, deductibles, and dependent coverage costs.

Department of Management Services shall provide technical services to the consortium; the board may employ staff or contract for staffing services.

Water management districts may provide group insurance for their own employees or jointly for employees of multiple water management districts following the same provisions as other public employees.