(a) This Act shall apply to each health benefit plan for a small employer that is delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, or continued in this State after July 1, 2000. For purposes of this Section, the date a plan is continued shall be the first rating period which commences after July 1, 2000. The Act shall apply to any such health benefit plan which provides coverage to employees of a small employer, except that the Act shall not apply to individual health insurance policies.
     (b) This Act shall not apply to any health benefit plan for a small employer that is delivered, issued, renewed, or continued in this State on or after January 1, 2022. However, if 42 U.S.C. § 18032(c)(2) or any successor law is repealed, then this Act shall apply to each health benefit plan for a small employer that is delivered, issued, renewed, or continued in this State on or after the date that law ceases to apply to such plans.