Illinois Civil Union Clarification

Here are a few more details about the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act (PA 96-1513) that takes effect on June 1, 2011. The Illinois Department of Insurance has released their guidance on the law. It can be viewed here.

• For all fully insured plans, the effective date of the new law is June 1, 2011.
• Starting June 1, 2011, the date a civil union partnership is officiated will be considered a qualifying event. Employees, spouses and dependents can enroll in the plan due to this qualifying event and the plan will be effective on the date the civil union is officiated.
• For existing civil unions, there will be a 30-day special enrollment period beginning on June 1, 2011 to enroll an existing civil union partner from a union officiated in another state before June 1, 2011. A civil union officiated in another state will be recognized as a civil union in Illinois as of June 1, 2011. From Health Alliance Medical Plans