November 29, 2023
Circular Letter: 600-048-23
Topic: Health Benefits

To: Contracting Community College Districts

Purpose

The purpose of this Circular Letter is to inform you about recently enacted legislation, which creates a new eligibility category for certain part-time faculty employees employed by community college districts that participate in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Health Program.

Senate Bill 142

Senate Bill 142 became law on September 13, 2023. This bill adds Government Code section 22807.5 to the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) and provides an additional pathway for contracting community colleges to provide healthcare to part-time faculty. Government Code section 22807.5 states:

Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 22772, a contracting agency that is a community college district may, by resolution filed with the board, deem all part-time faculty employees who have an appointment of at least one semester and whose teaching assignment with one or more community college districts equals or exceeds two courses or 40 percent of the cumulative equivalent of a minimum full-time teaching assignment, to be employees subject to this part.

Contracting for Part-Time Faculty Healthcare

Community college districts interested in providing part-time faculty healthcare must file a resolution electing PEMHCA participation and a resolution to extend coverage to part-time faculty members. Contracting districts should email the Health Resolutions and Compliance unit at Health_Contracts@calpers.ca.gov to request the appropriate resolution templates.

Additional Resources

We encourage you to review the Community College Part-Time Faculty Health Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions on our website for additional information on part-time faculty members and eligibility requirements to participate in the CalPERS Health Program.

Questions

If you have questions, contact the CalPERS Customer Contact Center at 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377888-225-7377).

 

Yesenia Croft, Chief
Health Account Management Division