Provides relative to qualifications for participation in the Employee Insurance Fund for the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office (EN NO IMPACT LF EX See Note)
Summary
HB 66 amends Louisiana law governing group insurance benefits for the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office. The bill specifically changes R.S. 13:5554(JJ)(1) to require the sheriff of Jefferson Davis Parish to pay, from the sheriff’s general fund, the full premium cost of group hospital, surgical, and medical expense coverage, as well as the first $10,000 of life insurance, for certain retired sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. The coverage applies only to retirees from the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office who meet the bill’s service, age, and retirement criteria and who are entitled to benefits from the Sheriff’s Pension and Relief Fund.
Impact
The bill narrows and clarifies eligibility for participation in the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office employee insurance-related benefits by amending a parish-specific statute. It shifts the premium obligation to the sheriff’s general fund for a defined class of retirees, affecting the sheriff’s office budget and the retirement health and life insurance benefits available to qualifying former employees. The measure does not create a statewide program, but it changes the legal obligations of the Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff under existing group insurance law.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the House passed HB 66 by 97-0 and the Senate passed it by 38-0. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably and as a limited, local adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No notable contention is reflected in the provided record. The bill’s main practical issue is fiscal responsibility—specifically, the requirement that the sheriff’s office pay full premiums for a defined group of retirees—but the unanimous floor votes indicate that any concerns about cost, eligibility, or precedent were not enough to generate opposition. The bill also contains a service-credit eligibility clarification, which may have been intended to resolve or refine who qualifies for the benefit.