Sec. 172.002.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of this chapter is to:
(1)  provide uniformity in benefits including accident, health, dental, and long-term disability coverage to employees of political subdivisions;
(2)  enable the political subdivisions to attract and retain competent and able employees by providing them with accident and health benefits coverages at least equal to those commonly provided in private industry;
(3)  foster, promote, and encourage employment by and service to political subdivisions as a career profession for persons of high standards of competence and ability;
(4)  recognize and protect the political subdivisions' investment in each permanent employee by promoting and preserving economic security and good health among those employees;
(5)  foster and develop high standards of employer-employee relationships between each political subdivision and its employees;
(6)  recognize the service to political subdivisions by elected officials and employees of affiliated service contractors by extending to them the same accident and health benefits coverages as are provided for political subdivision employees;  and
(7)  recognize the long and faithful service and dedication of employees of political subdivisions and to encourage them to remain in service of their respective political subdivisions until eligible for retirement by providing health benefits to those employees.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1067, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 491, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.