1. (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter to the contrary, except as provided in § 27-18.6-3(n), in the case of a group health plan maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements between employee representatives and one or more employers ratified before July 13, 2000, this chapter does not apply to plan years beginning before the later of:

   1. (1) The date on which the last of the collective bargaining agreements relating to the plan terminates (determined without regard to any extension of the collective bargaining agreement agreed to after July 13, 2000); or
   2. (2) July 1, 1997.
2. (b) For purposes of subsection (a)(1) of this section, any plan amendment made pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement relating to the plan that amends the plan solely to conform to any requirement of this chapter shall not be treated as a termination of the collective bargaining agreement.

History of Section.
P.L. 2000, ch. 200, § 4; P.L. 2000, ch. 229, § 4; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 36.