(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state employee participating in a flexible benefits program administered by the state, who either terminated enrollment in a health benefit plan approved or maintained by the board in reliance on other medical coverage or who was enrolled in a board-approved health benefit plan for self only, may enroll in a health benefit plan without regard to the open enrollment period for either of the following purposes:

(1) For self only or self and all eligible dependents, if the flexible cash option is discontinued.

(2) To add all eligible dependents, upon loss of coverage, where the flexible cash option has not been selected.

(b) Enrollment shall be requested within 60 calendar days of the loss of other coverage and submitted to the system by the employer. The effective date of enrollment shall be the first day of the month following the loss of other coverage. Enrollment shall entitle the employee to receive the benefit of the applicable employer contribution.

(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 69, Sec. 22. Effective June 24, 2004.)