HI HB978

Excludes children born or legally adopted more than 10 months after the death of an employee or retiree from Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) eligibility, unless they are the natural or adopted child of the deceased employee or retiree.

Distinguishes between surviving spouses and surviving children of employees killed in the performance of duty by establishing separate eligibility criteria for each group as employee-beneficiaries.

Aligns age-based benefit eligibility for surviving children of employees who die while eligible for retirement or of retirees to match the limiting age defined by the board, rather than the fixed age of 19.

Clarifies that surviving spouses of employees killed in duty or deceased retirees remain eligible for benefits only if they do not subsequently remarry.

Effective date: January 1, 2050.