Sec. 1. 39-A MRSA §215, sub-§3 is enacted to read:

3.__Continued health insurance coverage.__In addition to any other benefits required by this Act, if an employee dies as a result of a compensable injury, the employer shall continue to provide health insurance coverage to the family of the deceased employee, at the employer's expense, for up to 6 months following the employee's death.__The employer is not obligated to provide or pay for such coverage if:

A.__Family members were not covered by a health insurance policy or plan sponsored by the employer before the employee's death; or

B.__Family members decline coverage at any time during the 6 months following the employee's death.__Coverage may be declined only by a letter mailed to the employer and signed by persons entitled to coverage under this subsection.

SUMMARY

This bill requires an employer to continue to provide health insurance coverage to the family of an employee who dies as a result of a workplace injury. The employer is required to pay 100% of the cost of the coverage for up to 6 months after the employee's death.