88R768 SCL-F     By: Bell of Montgomery H.B. No. 3849       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the eligibility of certain retired firefighters, police   officers, and emergency medical services providers to purchase   continued health benefits coverage.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 175.001, Local Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          Sec. 175.001.  APPLICABILITY.  (a)  In this section,   "township" means a special district with territory that only   includes a census designated place, as designated by the United   States Bureau of the Census.          (b)  This chapter applies to a person who:                (1)  retires from:                      (A)  county employment in a county with a   population of 75,000 or more;                      (B)  employment by an appraisal district in a   county with a population of 75,000 or more;                      (C)  municipal employment in a municipality with a   population of 25,000 or more; [or]                      (D)  employment as a firefighter or emergency   medical services provider by an emergency services district located   wholly or partly in a county with a population of 150,000 or more;   or                      (E)  employment as a firefighter, police officer,   or emergency medical services provider by a township with a   population of 110,000 or more; and                (2)  is entitled to receive retirement benefits from a   county, appraisal district, or municipal retirement plan, [or]   emergency services district, or township.          SECTION 2.  (a)  Chapter 175, Local Government Code, as   amended by this Act, applies according to its terms to all eligible   persons who leave employment with a township on or after January 1,   2024.          (b)  A township that is required by Chapter 175, Local   Government Code, as amended by this Act, to provide continued   health benefits coverage but that is not allowed to provide the   coverage under the terms of the township's existing group health   plan shall ensure that the required continued health benefits   coverage is provided for in any new plan that is adopted by the   township on or after January 1, 2024, unless the township is   exempted under Section 175.007, Local Government Code.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.