TO AMEND SECTION 1-11-710, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE MANDATORY AVAILABILITY OF THE STATE HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS TO STATE EMPLOYEES AND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SO AS TO MANDATE AVAILABILITY OF THIS COVERAGE TO MAGISTRATES; AND TO AMEND SECTION 1-11-720, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO ENTITIES WHOSE EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE STATE HEALTH AND DENTAL PLANS, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 1-11-710(A)(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 278 of 2012 is amended to read:

"(1)(a)    make available to active and retired employees of this State and its public school districts and their eligible dependents group health, dental, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability insurance plans and benefits in an equitable manner and of maximum benefit to those covered within the available resources; and

(b)    make the group health and dental insurance plans in subitem (a) available to magistrates and their eligible dependents;"

SECTION    2.    Section 1-11-720(A)(1) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(1)    counties, except for magistrates as provided in Section 1-11-710(A);"

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.