(b) For purposes of this subchapter, “qualifying event” means:

1. (1) loss of employment, including a reduction in hours that results in ineligibility for employer-sponsored coverage;
2. (2) divorce, dissolution, or legal separation of the covered employee from the employee’s spouse or civil union partner;
3. (3) a dependent child ceasing to qualify as a dependent child under the generally applicable requirements of the policy; or
4. (4) death of the covered employee or member.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply if one or more of the following conditions applies:

1. (1) The deceased person or employee was not insured under the group policy on the date of the qualifying event.
2. (2) The person is covered by Medicare.
3. (3) The person is covered by any other group insured or uninsured arrangement that provides dental coverage or hospital and medical coverage for individuals in a group and under which the person was not covered immediately prior to the qualifying event, and no preexisting condition exclusion applies; provided, however, that the person shall remain eligible for continuation coverages that are not available under the insured or uninsured arrangement.
4. (4) The person has a loss of employment due to misconduct as defined in 21 V.S.A. § 1344.