(a) Notwithstanding Section 22846, the state employer shall, upon the death of an employee while in state service, continue to pay employer contributions for health, dental, and vision benefits for a period not to exceed 120 days beginning in the month of the employee’s death. The surviving spouse or other eligible family member shall be advised of all rights and obligations during this period regarding the continuation of health and dental benefits as an annuitant by the Public Employees’ Retirement System. The surviving spouse or other eligible family member shall also be notified by the department during this period regarding COBRA rights for the continuation of vision benefits.

(b) This section shall apply to state employees in state bargaining units that have agreed to this section in a memorandum of understanding, state employees excluded from the definition of “state employee” in subdivision (c) of Section 3513, and officers or employees of the executive branch of state government who are not members of the civil service.

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(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 69, Sec. 12. Effective June 24, 2004.)