[Scmusenet] SCFM Insurance Legislation Update

[Cassidy Shaiman, Jai]

Dear Colleagues --

Several weeks ago I sent you background information on the possible
legislative option for members of SCFM to enroll in the State Health
Plan.  Several of you contacted my indicating that this is something
that your institutions may wish to pursue, providing the bill passes.
Below is a copy of the bill for your reference.  It may be used as a
basis for you in further evaluating whether this is something you would
like to pursue. 
As you may know, the regular legislative session has concluded, so the
bill isn't going anywhere until next January, but it is at least in line
to be assigned to a Ways and Means subcommittee. Between now and
January, we can be working to add co-sponsors from those districts which
have a museum that would like to take advantage of this the SHP option.
As the bill could use as much local support as possible from those
museums that believe this is a good idea, please contact me at
803.252.1770, ext. 28 or jsherrer at historiccolumbia.org or Mike LeFever,
of MG&C Consulting who has been lobbying for H.4211.  He may be reached
at mlefever at mgclaw.com or by phone 803.227.2306.

I hope that this message finds you well.
Kind regards,
John Sherrer, President, SCFM


H. 4211
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Harrison and Ott
Introduced in the House on May 31, 2007
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means A BILL TO
AMEND SECTION 1-11-720 <http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t01c011.htm>,
AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO ENTITIES
WHOSE EMPLOYEES, RETIREES, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS, SO AS TO
EXTEND THIS ELIGIBILITY TO LOCAL MUSEUMS MEETING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS. 
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: 
SECTION 1. Section 1-11-720
<http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t01c011.htm>(A) of the 1976 Code, as
last amended by Act 316 of 2006, is further amended by adding an
appropriately numbered item at the end to read: 
"( ) a local museum organized as a public or private nonprofit
institution that exists on a permanent basis for essentially educational
or aesthetic purposes; cares for and owns or uses tangible objects,
whether animate or inanimate, and exhibits these objects to the general
public at least one hundred twenty days a year through facilities which
it owns or operates; and is a member of the South Carolina Federation of
Museums." 
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. 
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