HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/06/2001, C4 - RESOLUTION EXTENDING HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS TO DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF CITY EMPLOYEES Council
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C I T Y OF SAN LU I S O B I S P O
FROM: Ann Slate,Director of Human Resources
Prepared By: Karen Jenny,Risk Manager4
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION EXTENDING HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS TO
DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF CITY EMPLOYEES
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution electing to be subject to Section 22873 of the Public Employees' Medical and
Hospital Care Act (PEMCHA), which will enable the domestic partners of City employees to
become eligible for health insurance benefits through Ca1PERS.
DISCUSSION
Legislation passed in late 1999 (AB26, Migden) allows domestic partners to register with the
Secretary of State and be eligible to enroll in a California Public Employees' Retirement System
(Ca1PERS) health plan. Public agencies who contract with Ca1PERS for health insurance
benefits may elect to make this benefit available to their employees by adopting a resolution.
Both Cal Poly and PG&E provide domestic partner coverage and the County of San Luis Obispo
is in the process of adding domestic partners coverage to their PERS health insurance contract.
The City has contracted with CalPERS for health insurance benefits since 1993.
Once the resolution has been adopted by the Council and forwarded to Ca1PERS, employees
who wish to participate must register the domestic partnership with the Secretary of State and
provide the employer with a copy of the Declaration of Domestic Partnership. Specified same-
sex domestic partnerships between persons who are both at least 18 years of age, and specified
opposite sex domestic partnerships when both persons are over the age of 62, are eligible to
register with the Secretary. Ca1PERS will use the same enrollment policies for domestic
partnerships as are currently used for traditional marriages.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the City to provide health insurance benefits to domestic partners of
employees or retirees. The City's contribution to the cafeteria plan will remain the same;
employees who choose to cover their domestic partners will spend additional cafeteria plan
dollars for the additional coverage.
ALTERNATIVES
Not elect to provide health benefit coverage for domestic partners. Since this is an optional
benefit with no cost to the City, this is not recommended. Staff also believes it is an appropriate
action in recognizing and meeting the needs of the City's diverse work force.
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Council Agenda Report—Resolution Extending Health Insurance Benefits to Domestic Partners
Page 2
CONCURRENCES
This issue was discussed and agreed to with the general unit during recent contract negotiations.
Presidents of the other employee associations/unions have been notified of the City's intent to
adopt the resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
G:\agenda reports\Health Benefits for Domestic Partners
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RESOLUTION NO. (2001 Series)
RESOLUTION ELECTING TO BE SUBJECT TO SECTION 22873 OF THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 22850 and/or 22850.3 provides the benefits of
the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act to employees of local agencies contracting
with the Public Employees' Retirement System; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo, hereinafter referred to as Contracting Agency,
is a local agency contracting with the Public Employees' Retirement.System under the Act; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 22873 allows a Contracting Agency to provide
benefits to domestic partners of employees and annuitants of local agencies contracting under the
Act upon proper application; and
WHEREAS, the Contracting Agency desires to obtain for its employees and annuitants
the benefit of Section 22873 and to accept the liabilities and obligations of a contracting agency
under the Section.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the governing body of the Contracting
Agency elects, and it does hereby elect, to be subject to the provisions of Section 22873 of the
Government Code
Upon motion of , seconded by ,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of , 2001.
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Resolution No. (2001 Series)
Page 2
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
Lee Price, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Jeffrey G. JorgensenOffty Attorne
GAagenda reports\Health Benefits for Domestic Partners