A temporary employee employed before August 1, 2007, may elect to participate in the uniform group insurance program by completing the necessary enrollment forms and qualifying under the medical underwriting requirements of the program if such election is made before January 1, 2015, and if the temporary employee is participating in the uniform group insurance program on January 1, 2015. In order for a temporary employee employed after July 31, 2007, to qualify to participate in the uniform group insurance program, the employee must be employed at least twenty hours per week; must be employed at least twenty weeks each year of employment; must make the election to participate before January 1, 2015; and must be participating in the uniform group insurance program as of January 1, 2015. To be eligible to participate in the uniform group insurance program, a temporary employee first employed after December 31, 2014, or any temporary employee not participating in the uniform group insurance program as of January 1, 2015, must meet the definition of a full-time employee under section 4980H(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 4980H(c)(4)]. Monthly, the temporary employee or the temporary employee’s employer shall pay to the board the premiums in effect for the coverage being provided. In the case of a temporary employee who is    an applicable taxpayer as defined in section 36B(c)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 36B(c)(1)(A)], the temporary employee’s required contribution for medical and hospital benefits self-only coverage may not exceed the maximum employee required contribution specified under section 36B(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 36B(c)(2)(C)], and the employer shall pay any difference between the maximum employee required contribution for medical and hospital benefits self-only coverage and the cost of the premiums in effect for this coverage. An employer may pay health or life insurance premiums for a permanent employee on an unpaid leave of absence. A political subdivision, department, board, or agency may make a contribution for coverage under this section.