Allow political subdivision to participate in state health plan

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 746

2025-2026

Representative Thomas, D.

Cosponsors: Representatives
Glassburn, Klopfenstein, Salvo, Williams, Daniels

To
enact section 124.826 of the Revised Code
to
allow a political subdivision to participate in the same state health
plan offered to state employees.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 124.826 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
124.826.
(A)
As used in this section, "political subdivision" means a
county, township, municipal corporation, or other body corporate and
politic that is responsible for governmental activities in a
geographic area smaller than the state.

(B)(1)
A political subdivision may elect to participate in any health,
medical, hospital, dental, surgical, or vision benefit the director
of administrative services contracts for under section 124.82 of the
Revised Code or otherwise provides for the benefit of state employees
who are paid directly by warrant of the director of budget and
management. A political subdivision that elects to participate in a
benefit under this section shall notify the director of that
election.

(2)
A political subdivision that has elected to participate in a benefit
under this section may cease participation by notifying the director.
The political subdivision's election to cease participation is
effective on the first day of the next benefit year. A political
subdivision that ceases participation may subsequently elect to
participate in a benefit by complying with division (B)(1) of this
section.

(C)
An employee of a political subdivision that makes an election to
participate in a benefit under division (B)(1) of this section may
enroll in a benefit by filing the election form developed by the
director under division (D) of this section with the employee's
political subdivision. The political subdivision shall forward the
election form to the director.

(D)
The director shall do all of the following:

(1)
Prescribe procedures, in consultation with the director of budget and
management, to administer benefits for political subdivision
employees under this section;

(2)
Develop the required election forms for employees to enroll,
disenroll, or re-enroll in benefits under this section;

(3)
Provide the election forms developed under this division to each
political subdivision that elects to participate in a benefit under
this section;

(4)
Notify a political subdivision when its employee has enrolled,
disenrolled, or re-enrolled in benefits under this section.

(E)
The director of administrative services shall offer to political
subdivision employees who enroll in benefits under this section the
same cost-sharing arrangements, coverage options, contribution rates,
and enrollment periods as are offered to state employees who are paid
directly by warrant of the director of budget and management under
section 124.82 of the Revised Code. All or any portion of the cost,
premium, or charge for the coverage under this section may be paid in
such manner or combination of manners as the director determines and
may include the proration of health care costs, premiums, or charges
for part-time employees.

(F)
To assist the director of administrative services in administering
benefits for political subdivision employees under this section, each
political subdivision that elects to participate in a benefit under
this section shall coordinate with the director to facilitate
enrollment and provide any information, including employee data, that
the director requires to the director or a designated third-party
administrator.

(G)
Nothing in this section requires a political subdivision to elect
coverage for the political subdivision's employees under this section
or prohibits a political subdivision from offering similar coverage
options under any other type of health benefit plan.

(H)
The director of administrative services shall adopt rules in
accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to implement this
section and to address both of the following:

(1)
The determination of the contributions and cost-sharing arrangements
for coverage under this section;

(2)
The administration of claims and benefits for political subdivision
employees under this section.