I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3887 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 21, 2009 Mr. Blunt (for himself, Mr. Barton of Texas, Mr. Camp, Mr. Kline of Minnesota, Mr. Upton, and Mr. Wittman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve health insurance coverage of dependents.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Health Insurance Access for Young Workers and College Students Act of 2009.

2.

Improved Health Insurance Coverage of Dependents

(a)

Employee retirement income security act of 1974

(1)

In general

Part 7 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after section 714 the following new section:

715.

Extending coverage of dependents

In the case of a group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan, that treats as a beneficiary under the plan an individual who is a dependent child of a participant or beneficiary under the plan, the plan or coverage shall continue to treat the individual as a dependent child without regard to the individual’s age through at least the end of the plan year in which the individual turns an age specified in the plan, but not less than 25 years of age.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 714 the following new item: Sec. 715. Extending coverage of dependents. . (b)

PHSA

Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 2707 the following new section:

2708.

Extending coverage of dependents

In the case of a group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan, that treats as a beneficiary under the plan an individual who is a dependent child of a participant or beneficiary under the plan, the plan or coverage shall continue to treat the individual as a dependent child without regard to the individual’s age through at least the end of the plan year in which the individual turns an age specified in the plan, but not less than 25 years of age.

. (c)

IRC

(1)

In general

Subchapter B of chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

9814.

Extending coverage of dependents

In the case of a group health plan that treats as a beneficiary under the plan an individual who is a dependent child of a participant or beneficiary under the plan, the plan shall continue to treat the individual as a dependent child without regard to the individual’s age through at least the end of the plan year in which the individual turns an age specified in the plan, but not less than 25 years of age.

. (2)

Clerical amendment

The table of sections in such subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Sec. 9814. Extending coverage of dependents. . (d)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to group health plans for plan years beginning more than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to individuals who are dependent children under a group health plan, or health insurance coverage offered in connection with such a plan, on or after such date.