{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-1204.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-1204.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-1204.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-1204.html"}],"law_id":64954,"edition_id":1,"section_id":64954,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1204","catch_line":"Health insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, etc.; definitions","history":"1989, c. 475, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:02; 1997, cc. 803, 888, 891; 2000, cc. 66, 620, 649, 657; 2001, cc. 520, 806, 844; 2008, c. 403; 2011, c. 489; 2012, cc. 476, 507, 803, 835; 2013, c. 687; 2016, c. 512; 2020, c. 555.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Department shall establish a plan or plans, hereinafter “plan” or “plans,” subject to the approval of the Governor, for providing health insurance coverage for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, and retirees, and the dependents of such employees, officers, teachers, and retirees. The plan or plans shall be rated separately from the plan established pursuant to § 2.2-2818 to provide health and related insurance coverage for state employees. Participation in such insurance plan or plans shall be (i) voluntary, (ii) approved by the participant’s respective governing body, or by the local school board in the case of teachers, and (iii) subject to regulations adopted by the Department. In addition, at the option of a governing body or school board that has elected to participate in the health insurance plan or plans offered by the Department, the governing body or school board may elect to participate in the voluntary employee-pay-all long-term care program offered by the Commonwealth.B\n\nThe plan or plans established by the Department, one of which may be similar to the state employee plan, shall satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), shall consist of a flexible benefits structure that permits the creation of multiple plans of benefits, and may provide for single or separate rating groups based upon criteria established by the Department. The Department shall adopt regulations regarding the establishment of such a plan or plans, including, but not limited to, requirements for eligibility, participation, access and egress, mandatory employer contributions and financial reserves, adverse experience adjustments, and the administration of the plan or plans. The Department may engage the services of other professional advisors and vendors as necessary for the prudent administration of the plan or plans. The assets of the plan or plans, together with all appropriations, premiums, and other payments, shall be deposited in the employee health insurance fund, from which payments for claims, premiums, cost containment programs, and administrative expenses shall be withdrawn from time to time. The assets of the fund shall be held for the sole benefit of the employee health insurance fund. The fund shall be held in the state treasury. Any interest on unused balances in the fund shall revert back to the credit of the fund. The State Treasurer shall charge reasonable fees to recover the actual costs of investing the assets of the plan or plans.\n\t\t\tIn establishing the participation requirements, the Department may provide that those employees, officers, and teachers without access to employer-sponsored health care coverage may participate in the plan. It shall collect all premiums directly from the employers of such employees, officers, and teachers.C\n\nIn the event that the financial reserves of the plan fall to an unacceptably low level as determined by the Department, it shall have the authority to secure from the State Treasurer a loan sufficient to raise the reserve level to one that is considered adequate. The State Treasurer may make such a loan, to be repaid on such terms and conditions as established by him.D\n\nFor the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Employees of local governments” includes all officers and employees of the governing body of any county, city, or town, and the directing or governing body of any political entity, subdivision, branch, or unit of the Commonwealth or of any commission or public authority or body corporate created by or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the power or powers, privileges, or authority capable of exercise by the commission or public authority or body corporate, as distinguished from § 15.2-1300, 15.2-1303, or similar statutes, provided that the officers and employees of a transit company, social services department, welfare board, community services board or behavioral health authority, or library board of a county, city, or town shall be deemed to be employees of local government. For purposes of this section, private nonprofit organizations are not governmental agencies or instrumentalities.\n\t\t\t“Local officer” means the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of the revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, sheriff, or constable of any county or city or deputies or employees of any of the preceding local officers.\n\t\t\t“Teacher” means any employee of a county, city, or other local public school board.\n\t\t\t“Transit company” means a public service corporation, as defined in § 56-1, that is wholly owned by any county, city, or town, or any combination thereof, that provides public transportation services.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":236333,"text":"The Department shall establish a plan or plans, hereinafter “plan” or “plans,” subject to the approval of the Governor, for providing health insurance coverage for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, and retirees, and the dependents of such employees, officers, teachers, and retirees. The plan or plans shall be rated separately from the plan established pursuant to § 2.2-2818 to provide health and related insurance coverage for state employees. Participation in such insurance plan or plans shall be (i) voluntary, (ii) approved by the participant’s respective governing body, or by the local school board in the case of teachers, and (iii) subject to regulations adopted by the Department. In addition, at the option of a governing body or school board that has elected to participate in the health insurance plan or plans offered by the Department, the governing body or school board may elect to participate in the voluntary employee-pay-all long-term care program offered by the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":236334,"text":"The plan or plans established by the Department, one of which may be similar to the state employee plan, shall satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), shall consist of a flexible benefits structure that permits the creation of multiple plans of benefits, and may provide for single or separate rating groups based upon criteria established by the Department. The Department shall adopt regulations regarding the establishment of such a plan or plans, including, but not limited to, requirements for eligibility, participation, access and egress, mandatory employer contributions and financial reserves, adverse experience adjustments, and the administration of the plan or plans. The Department may engage the services of other professional advisors and vendors as necessary for the prudent administration of the plan or plans. The assets of the plan or plans, together with all appropriations, premiums, and other payments, shall be deposited in the employee health insurance fund, from which payments for claims, premiums, cost containment programs, and administrative expenses shall be withdrawn from time to time. The assets of the fund shall be held for the sole benefit of the employee health insurance fund. The fund shall be held in the state treasury. Any interest on unused balances in the fund shall revert back to the credit of the fund. The State Treasurer shall charge reasonable fees to recover the actual costs of investing the assets of the plan or plans.\n\t\t\tIn establishing the participation requirements, the Department may provide that those employees, officers, and teachers without access to employer-sponsored health care coverage may participate in the plan. It shall collect all premiums directly from the employers of such employees, officers, and teachers.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":236335,"text":"In the event that the financial reserves of the plan fall to an unacceptably low level as determined by the Department, it shall have the authority to secure from the State Treasurer a loan sufficient to raise the reserve level to one that is considered adequate. The State Treasurer may make such a loan, to be repaid on such terms and conditions as established by him.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":236336,"text":"For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Employees of local governments” includes all officers and employees of the governing body of any county, city, or town, and the directing or governing body of any political entity, subdivision, branch, or unit of the Commonwealth or of any commission or public authority or body corporate created by or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the power or powers, privileges, or authority capable of exercise by the commission or public authority or body corporate, as distinguished from § 15.2-1300, 15.2-1303, or similar statutes, provided that the officers and employees of a transit company, social services department, welfare board, community services board or behavioral health authority, or library board of a county, city, or town shall be deemed to be employees of local government. For purposes of this section, private nonprofit organizations are not governmental agencies or instrumentalities.\n\t\t\t“Local officer” means the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of the revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, sheriff, or constable of any county or city or deputies or employees of any of the preceding local officers.\n\t\t\t“Teacher” means any employee of a county, city, or other local public school board.\n\t\t\t“Transit company” means a public service corporation, as defined in § 56-1, that is wholly owned by any county, city, or town, or any combination thereof, that provides public transportation services.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14104,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Human Resource Management","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13092,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":172859,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14104,"identifier":"12","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13092,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Agencies Related to the General Operation of Government","identifier":"C","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:16","permalink":{"id":172453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13092,"identifier":"C","token":"2.2\/I\/C","url":"\/2.2\/I\/C\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82177,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1200","catch_line":"Department of Human Resource Management created; Director","url":"\/2.2-1200\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":75472,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1201","catch_line":"Duties of Department; Director","url":"\/2.2-1201\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":55235,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1201.1","catch_line":"Criminal background checks for certain positions","url":"\/2.2-1201.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1201.1","metadata":false},{"id":56381,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1202","catch_line":"Review of employee compensation; biennial report on employee recruitment and retention","url":"\/2.2-1202\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":80462,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1202.1","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties of Director; employment dispute resolution","url":"\/2.2-1202.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1202.1","metadata":false},{"id":64992,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1203","catch_line":"Certain information not to be made public","url":"\/2.2-1203\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":64954,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1204","catch_line":"Health insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, etc.; definitions","url":"\/2.2-1204\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":56132,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1205","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active or retired local law-enforcement officer, firefighter, etc., through the Department","url":"\/2.2-1205\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":81711,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1206","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active local law-enforcement officer, firefighter, etc., through a plan sponsor","url":"\/2.2-1206\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":86863,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1207","catch_line":"Long-term care insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, and teachers","url":"\/2.2-1207\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":83254,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1208","catch_line":"Long-term care insurance","url":"\/2.2-1208\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1208","metadata":false},{"id":87418,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1209","catch_line":"Agency director human resource training and agency succession planning","url":"\/2.2-1209\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1209","metadata":false},{"id":64782,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1210","catch_line":"Parental leave","url":"\/2.2-1210\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1210","metadata":false},{"id":62084,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1211","catch_line":"Required diversity and cultural competency training","url":"\/2.2-1211\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1211","metadata":false},{"id":77375,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1212","catch_line":"Required online safety and disaster awareness training","url":"\/2.2-1212\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1212","metadata":false},{"id":64974,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1213","catch_line":"Alternative application for employment for persons with a disability; report","url":"\/2.2-1213\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1213","metadata":false},{"id":80651,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1214","catch_line":"Hiring on the basis of direct experience","url":"\/2.2-1214\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1214","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64992,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1203","catch_line":"Certain information not to be made public","url":"\/2.2-1203\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1203","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":56132,"structure_id":14104,"section_number":"2.2-1205","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active or retired local law-enforcement officer, firefighter, etc., through the Department","url":"\/2.2-1205\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1205","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-1204\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 475 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1997, chapters 803<\/a>, 888<\/a>, and 891<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 66<\/a>, 620<\/a>, 649<\/a>, and 657<\/a>; in 2001, chapters 520<\/a>, 806<\/a>, and 844<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 403<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 489<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 476<\/a>, 507<\/a>, 803<\/a>, and 835<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 687<\/a>; in 2016, chapter 512<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 555<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56132,"section_number":"2.2-1205","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active or retired local law-enforcement officer, firefighter, etc., through the Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1205\/"},{"id":81711,"section_number":"2.2-1206","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active local law-enforcement officer, firefighter, etc., through a plan sponsor","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1206\/"},{"id":77915,"section_number":"2.2-2819","catch_line":"Purchase of continued health insurance coverage by the surviving spouse and any dependents of an active or retired state employee","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2819\/"},{"id":82480,"section_number":"38.2-2201","catch_line":"Provisions for payment of medical expense and loss of income benefits; assignment of certain benefits","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-2201\/"},{"id":81770,"section_number":"38.2-3407.18","catch_line":"Requirements for orally administered cancer chemotherapy drugs","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3407.18\/"},{"id":83999,"section_number":"38.2-3461","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3461\/"},{"id":86887,"section_number":"51.1-500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-500\/"},{"id":65711,"section_number":"51.1-512.1","catch_line":"Optional life insurance for the spouse and minor dependents of employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-512.1\/"},{"id":71560,"section_number":"8.01-27.5","catch_line":"Duty of in-network providers to submit claims to health insurers; liability of covered patients for unbilled health care services","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-27.5\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":59950,"section_number":"15.2-1300","catch_line":"Joint exercise of powers by political subdivisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1300\/"},{"id":63943,"section_number":"15.2-1303","catch_line":"Associations to promote welfare of political subdivisions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1303\/"},{"id":68317,"section_number":"2.2-2818","catch_line":"Health and related insurance for state employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2818\/"},{"id":70034,"section_number":"2.2-4300","catch_line":"Short title; purpose; declaration of intent","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4300\/"},{"id":64250,"section_number":"56-1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":172885,"object_type":"law","relational_id":64954,"identifier":"2.2-1204","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1204","url":"\/2.2-1204\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-1204\/","token":"2.2\/I\/C\/12\/2.2-1204","dublin_core":{"Title":"Health insurance program for employees of local governments, local officers, teachers, etc.; definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-1204","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Department shall establish a plan or plans, hereinafter “plan” or “plans,” subject to the approval of the Governor, for providing health insurance coverage for employees of local governments<\/span>, local officers<\/span>, teachers<\/span>, and retirees, and the dependents of such employees, officers, teachers<\/span>, and retirees. The plan or plans shall be rated separately from the plan established pursuant to § 2.2-2818<\/a> to provide health and related insurance coverage for state employees. Participation in such insurance plan or plans shall be (i) voluntary, (ii) approved by the participant’s respective governing body, or by the local school board in the case of teachers<\/span>, and (iii) subject to regulations adopted by the Department. In addition, at the option of a governing body or school board that has elected to participate in the health insurance plan or plans offered by the Department, the governing body or school board may elect to participate in the voluntary employee-pay-all long-term care program offered by the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The plan or plans established by the Department, one of which may be similar to the state employee plan, shall satisfy the requirements of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300<\/a> et seq.), shall consist of a flexible benefits structure that permits the creation of multiple plans of benefits, and may provide for single or separate rating groups based upon criteria established by the Department. The Department shall adopt regulations regarding the establishment of such a plan or plans, including, but not limited to, requirements for eligibility, participation, access and egress, mandatory employer contributions and financial reserves, adverse experience adjustments, and the administration of the plan or plans. The Department may engage the services of other professional advisors and vendors as necessary for the prudent administration of the plan or plans. The assets<\/span> of the plan or plans, together with all appropriations, premiums, and other payments, shall be deposited in the employee health insurance fund, from which payments for claims, premiums, cost containment programs, and administrative expenses shall be withdrawn from time to time. The assets<\/span> of the fund shall be held for the sole benefit of the employee health insurance fund. The fund shall be held in the state treasury. Any interest on unused balances in the fund shall revert back to the credit of the fund. The State Treasurer shall charge reasonable fees to recover the actual costs of investing the assets<\/span> of the plan or plans.\n\t\t\tIn establishing the participation requirements, the Department may provide that those employees, officers, and teachers<\/span> without access to employer-sponsored health care coverage may participate in the plan. It shall collect all premiums directly from the employers of such employees, officers, and teachers<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In the event that the financial reserves of the plan fall to an unacceptably low level as determined by the Department, it shall have the authority to secure from the State Treasurer a loan sufficient to raise the reserve level to one that is considered adequate. The State Treasurer may make such a loan, to be repaid on such terms and conditions as established by him. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Employees of local governments<\/span>” includes all officers and employees of the governing body of any county, city, or town, and the directing or governing body of any political entity, subdivision, branch, or unit of the Commonwealth or of any commission or public authority or body corporate created by or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the power or powers, privileges<\/span>, or authority capable of exercise by the commission or public authority or body corporate, as distinguished from § 15.2-1300<\/a>, 15.2-1303<\/a>, or similar statutes<\/span>, provided that the officers and employees of a transit company<\/span>, social services department, welfare board, community services<\/span> board or behavioral health authority, or library board of a county, city, or town shall be deemed to be employees of local government. For purposes of this section, private nonprofit organizations are not governmental agencies or instrumentalities.\n\t\t\t“Local officer<\/span>” means the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of the revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, sheriff, or constable of any county or city or deputies or employees of any of the preceding local officers<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Teacher<\/span>” means any employee of a county, city, or other local public school board.\n\t\t\t“Transit company<\/span>” means a public service corporation, as defined in § 56-1<\/a>, that is wholly owned by any county, city, or town, or any combination thereof, that provides public transportation services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL OFFICERS,\nTEACHERS, ETC.; DEFINITIONS (\u00a7 2.2-1204)\n\nA. The Department shall establish a plan or plans, hereinafter\n“plan” or “plans,” subject to the approval of the\nGovernor, for providing health insurance coverage for employees of local\ngovernments, local officers, teachers, and retirees, and the dependents of such\nemployees, officers, teachers, and retirees. The plan or plans shall be rated\nseparately from the plan established pursuant to § 2.2-2818 to provide\nhealth and related insurance coverage for state employees. Participation in such\ninsurance plan or plans shall be (i) voluntary, (ii) approved by the\nparticipant’s respective governing body, or by the local school board in\nthe case of teachers, and (iii) subject to regulations adopted by the\nDepartment. In addition, at the option of a governing body or school board that\nhas elected to participate in the health insurance plan or plans offered by the\nDepartment, the governing body or school board may elect to participate in the\nvoluntary employee-pay-all long-term care program offered by the Commonwealth.\n\nB. The plan or plans established by the Department, one of which may be similar\nto the state employee plan, shall satisfy the requirements of the Virginia\nPublic Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), shall consist of a flexible\nbenefits structure that permits the creation of multiple plans of benefits, and\nmay provide for single or separate rating groups based upon criteria established\nby the Department. The Department shall adopt regulations regarding the\nestablishment of such a plan or plans, including, but not limited to,\nrequirements for eligibility, participation, access and egress, mandatory\nemployer contributions and financial reserves, adverse experience adjustments,\nand the administration of the plan or plans. The Department may engage the\nservices of other professional advisors and vendors as necessary for the prudent\nadministration of the plan or plans. The assets of the plan or plans, together\nwith all appropriations, premiums, and other payments, shall be deposited in the\nemployee health insurance fund, from which payments for claims, premiums, cost\ncontainment programs, and administrative expenses shall be withdrawn from time\nto time. The assets of the fund shall be held for the sole benefit of the\nemployee health insurance fund. The fund shall be held in the state treasury.\nAny interest on unused balances in the fund shall revert back to the credit of\nthe fund. The State Treasurer shall charge reasonable fees to recover the actual\ncosts of investing the assets of the plan or plans.\n\t\t\tIn establishing the participation requirements, the Department may provide\nthat those employees, officers, and teachers without access to\nemployer-sponsored health care coverage may participate in the plan. It shall\ncollect all premiums directly from the employers of such employees, officers,\nand teachers.\n\nC. In the event that the financial reserves of the plan fall to an unacceptably\nlow level as determined by the Department, it shall have the authority to secure\nfrom the State Treasurer a loan sufficient to raise the reserve level to one\nthat is considered adequate. The State Treasurer may make such a loan, to be\nrepaid on such terms and conditions as established by him.\n\nD. For the purposes of this section:\n\t\t\t“Employees of local governments” includes all officers and\nemployees of the governing body of any county, city, or town, and the directing\nor governing body of any political entity, subdivision, branch, or unit of the\nCommonwealth or of any commission or public authority or body corporate created\nby or under an act of the General Assembly specifying the power or powers,\nprivileges, or authority capable of exercise by the commission or public\nauthority or body corporate, as distinguished from § 15.2-1300, 15.2-1303,\nor similar statutes, provided that the officers and employees of a transit\ncompany, social services department, welfare board, community services board or\nbehavioral health authority, or library board of a county, city, or town shall\nbe deemed to be employees of local government. For purposes of this section,\nprivate nonprofit organizations are not governmental agencies or\ninstrumentalities.\n\t\t\t“Local officer” means the treasurer, registrar, commissioner of\nthe revenue, attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, sheriff,\nor constable of any county or city or deputies or employees of any of the\npreceding local officers.\n\t\t\t“Teacher” means any employee of a county, city, or other local\npublic school board.\n\t\t\t“Transit company” means a public service corporation, as defined\nin § 56-1, that is wholly owned by any county, city, or town, or any\ncombination thereof, that provides public transportation services.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 475, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:02; 1997, cc. 803, 888, 891; 2000, cc. 66,\n620, 649, 657; 2001, cc. 520, 806, 844; 2008, c. 403; 2011, c. 489; 2012, cc.\n476, 507, 803, 835; 2013, c. 687; 2016, c. 512; 2020, c. 555.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}