A. An affected former state employee who:

1. Had a vested or retirement benefit pursuant to the provisions of any of the state public retirement systems;

2. Was separated from state service as a result of a reduction-in-force since July 1, 1997; and

3. Was offered severance benefits pursuant to the State Government Reduction-in-Force and Severance Benefits Act,

may reinstate health insurance coverage any time within two (2) years following the date of the reduction-in-force from the state, and be eligible for the purchase of all other benefits available to former employees with a vested benefit of the state public retirement system of which the employee is a member.

B. Former employees who elect to reinstate health insurance coverage pursuant to this section shall provide satisfactory evidence of insurability after a break in coverage of one hundred eighty (180) days or more.

C. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall apply to an affected former state employee who may have elected non-state-sponsored health insurance coverage or who initially may have elected one of the available state-sponsored health insurance plans but later cancels either of those elected coverages.

D. A former employee who reinstates health insurance coverage pursuant to this section shall pay the full cost of the insurance premium at the then available rate and pursuant to the rules and enrollment procedures established by the State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board. The former employee will be subject to the same rate changes as those made available to all other state vested or retired employees. The former employee may elect coverage for the employee's current dependents if the election is made within thirty (30) days of reinstatement of health insurance.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 256, § 4, eff. July 1, 1998.