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PORT <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From the City Manager <br />x:28 -I <br />February 24, 2003 <br />Subject <br />Health Care coverage for Domestic Partners <br />Recommendation <br />Approve resolution to provide for application of CaIPERS Health Care coverage benefits for Domestic <br />Partners. <br />Background <br />Legislation (AB26) was passed in 1999, allowing domestic partners registered with the Secretary of <br />State to be eligible to enroll in a CalPERS health plan. Public agencies may now elect to make this <br />benefit available to their employees and retirees in compliance with certain eligibility rules. Upon <br />receipt of a Declaration of Domestic Partnership and a signed Statement of Financial Liability, the <br />eligible employee may enroll their partner and eligible children in their CalPERS health care plan. <br />A review of policies of other jurisdictions in our comparator market (See attached) revealed that; 1) of <br />- )se agencies offering Domestic Partners benefits, most offered additional benefits, such as dental <br />.11d vision; and 2) Redwood City is one of only three cities that do not offer this benefit. Staff <br />recommends that the City Council approve this resolution to amend our current contract with Cal <br />PERS, allowing for implementation of this provision for health benefits only. Taking this action will <br />enable the City to meet the need of those employees who have requested the benefit and allow the <br />City to remain competitive with our comparator market. <br />Alternative <br />Maintain current CaIPERS plan and make no allowances for domestic partners. <br />Fiscal Impact <br />This benefit is only for Health Care coverage. It does not include life insurance, vision, etc. whereby <br />the City's overall costs could increase. The City's established maximums for health benefits will not <br />change with the addition of the Domestic Partners Benefit. Hence, the City's financial exposure does <br />not change. For example, this years' maximum health dollars for a City employee is $657.95 /month <br />and will remain at this level whether or not the employee takes advantage of the new benefit. <br />( A,, - <br />Maria Rivera -Pena <br />'Duman Resources Director <br />Ed Everett <br />City Manager <br />- Attachment: Survey Comparison <br />