(a) The duties of the Secretary of Human Resources under this chapter shall include:

(1) The placement of all insurance with such carriers as the Committee deems appropriate.

(2) The operation of the self-insurance fund, when and if a self-insurance fund shall be established by the Committee for the operation of a self-insurance program.

(3) Centralized responsibility for the operation of the State employee benefits program vested in a single agency with an adequate staff of legal, actuarial and administrative personnel.

(4) The establishment and operation of an open bid procedure to be maintained for purchasing new employee benefits coverage from carriers and renewing existing contracts with such carriers which will permit the free forces of market competition to operate to the benefit of the state employee benefits coverage programs.

(5) The maintenance in a safe and secure place of all policies with commercial insurers and all records necessary and pertinent thereto.

(6) The maintenance in a safe and secure place of all records, accounts, claims files, statistical studies and other such records and documents necessary and proper in the administration of any self-insured program, when and if the Committee deems it necessary and proper to utilize same.

(7) Prompt notification to insurance carriers or third party administrators of the names and other necessary data related to the employees and pensioners covered by State employee benefits programs and of all changes and additions thereto, and payment of such obligations as are incurred pursuant to this section, including the cost of premium or subscription charges for insurance coverage upon the written request of any State employee or pensioner from the funds appropriated therefore and, in the event such appropriated funds are inadequate, pay such additional sums as may be required from those moneys in the General Fund not otherwise appropriated.

(8) Communication to State employees of all State employee benefits coverages and any additions or changes of benefits affecting State employees.

(9) Authority to act as agent of the State to enter into a contract or contracts with the carrier or carriers for benefits programs for State employees and pensioners.

(10) Prompt notification of the health-care insurance carrier or third party administrator of the names and other necessary data related to the employees and pensioners covered by the State employees’ health insurance program and of all changes and shall pay such obligations as are incurred pursuant to this section, including the cost of premium or subscription charges for health-care insurance coverage upon the written request of any state employee or pensioner from the funds appropriated therefore and, in the event such appropriated funds are inadequate, pay such addition sums as may be required from those moneys in the General Fund not otherwise appropriated.

(b) The Controller General’s Office must provide comprehensive biannual public reports on the work of the Committee to the General Assembly by May 30 and November 30 of each year.

72 Del. Laws, c. 204, § ?1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 88, § ?20(6); 81 Del. Laws, c. 66, § ?61; 84 Del. Laws, c. 4, § 1;