(a) A family member of a deceased employee of a contracting agency who is validly enrolled or is eligible for enrollment hereunder on the date of the employee’s death is deemed to be an annuitant under Section 22760, pursuant to regulations prescribed by the board.

(b) A contracting agency shall remit the amounts required under Section 22901 as well as the total amount of the premium required from the employer and enrollees hereunder in accordance with regulations of the board. Enrollment of the annuitant and eligible family members shall be continuous following the death of the employee, or the effective date of enrollment, so long as the surviving family members meet the eligibility requirements of Section 22775 and regulations pertinent thereto. Failure to timely pay the required premiums and costs or the cancellation of coverage by the annuitant shall terminate coverage without the option to reenroll. The contracting agency may elect to require the family members to pay all or any part of the employer premium for enrollment.

(c) This section shall apply to a contracting agency only upon the filing with the board of a resolution of its governing board electing to be subject to this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 418, Sec. 19. Effective January 1, 2006.)