33-22-136. Insurance for spouse and dependents of deceased peace officer, game warden, or firefighter. (1) Any insurer, health service corporation, or health maintenance organization issuing group disability coverage to the spouse or dependents of a peace officer as defined in 45-2-101, a game warden as defined in 19-8-101, a firefighter as defined in 19-13-104, or a volunteer firefighter as defined in 19-17-102 shall renew the coverage of the spouse or dependents if the peace officer, game warden, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter dies within the course and scope of employment. This section also applies to a state employee group insurance program, a university system group insurance program, an employee group insurance program of a city, town, county, school district, or other political subdivision of the state, and any self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement not regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 that provides coverage for a peace officer, game warden, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter. Except as provided in subsection (2), the continuation of the coverage is at the option of the spouse or dependents. Renewals of coverage under this section must provide for the same level of benefits as are available to other members of the group. Premiums charged to a spouse or dependent under this section must be the same as premiums charged to other similarly situated members of the group. Dependent special enrollment must be allowed under the terms of 33-22-523(2) and (3). The provisions of this subsection are applicable to a spouse or dependent who is insured under a COBRA continuation provision.
     (2) A disability insurance issuer subject to the provisions of subsection (1) may discontinue or not renew the coverage of a spouse or dependent only if:
     (a) the spouse or dependent has failed to pay premiums or contributions in accordance with the terms of the disability insurance coverage or if the disability insurer has not received timely premium payments;
     (b) the spouse or dependent has performed an act or practice that constitutes fraud or has made an intentional misrepresentation of a material fact under the terms of the coverage; or
     (c) the disability insurance issuer is ceasing to offer coverage in the group disability market in accordance with applicable state law.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 178, L. 1999.