§ 36-5-2.1 - Rights of employees entering service to maintain health care benefits.
SECTION 36-5-2.1
§ 36-5-2.1 Rights of employees enteringservice to maintain health care benefits. – Every employee holding a position in the classified or unclassified service,who has left or shall leave the position by reason of entering the armed forcesof the United States (whether through membership in the reserve of the UnitedStates Military or Naval Forces or in the Rhode Island National Guard or NavalReserves, when any of the foregoing units are called to active federal or stateduty, or by reason of enlistment, induction commission or otherwise), and whohas held a position in the classified or unclassified service for one hundredeighty (180) or more calendar days within the twelve (12) months next precedingentrance into the armed services, and who at the time of entrance into thearmed services had family medical benefits, shall continue to be eligible toreceive family medical benefits, in the same manner as available prior toentering service, for designated family members, excluding the employee, duringthe duration of his or her absences required by the continuance of service inthe armed services and his or her return to classified or unclassified service.Nothing in this section, however, shall require the employee to continue familymedical benefits provided by the state of Rhode Island or prevent the employeefrom enrolling in or receiving medical benefits from another source of healthinsurance coverage including the federal medical benefits program for deployedmembers of the armed services.