Any employer, except the state and its political subdivisions as defined in section 65B.43, subdivision 20, who provides a health benefit plan to its Minnesota employees, which is to some extent self-insured by the employer, and who purchases stop-loss insurance coverage, or any other insurance coverage, in connection with the health benefit plan, shall annually file with the commissioner, within 60 days of the end of the employer's fiscal year, security acceptable to the commissioner in an amount specified under subdivision 2, or a surety bond in the form and amount prescribed by subdivisions 2 and 3. An acceptable surety bond is one issued by a corporate surety authorized by the commissioner to transact this business in the state of Minnesota for the purposes of this section. The term "Minnesota employees" includes any Minnesota resident who is employed by the employer.
The amount of surety bond or acceptable security required by subdivision 1 shall be equal to one-fourth of the projected annual medical and hospital expenses to be incurred by the employer or $1,000, whichever is greater, with respect to its Minnesota employees by reason of the portion of the employer's health benefit plan which is self-insured by the employer.
The surety bond shall provide as follows:
SURETY BOND
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS: That (entity to be bonded), of (location), (hereinafter called the "principal"), as principal, and (bonding company name), a (name of state) corporation, of (location) (hereinafter called the "surety"), as surety are held and firmly bound unto the commissioner of commerce of the state of Minnesota for the use and benefit of Minnesota residents entitled to health benefits from the principal in the sum of ($.........), for the payment of which well and truly to be made, the principal binds itself, its successor and assigns, and the surety binds itself and its successors and assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
WHEREAS, in accordance with section (......) of the Minnesota Statute, principal is required to file a surety bond with the commissioner of commerce of the state of Minnesota.
NOW, THEREFORE, the condition of this obligation is such that if the said principal shall, according to the terms, provisions, and limitations of principals' health benefit program for its Minnesota employees, pay all of its liabilities and obligations, including all benefits as provided in the attached plan, then, this obligation shall be null and void, otherwise to remain in full force and effect, subject, however, to the following terms and conditions:
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, said principals and said surety have caused this instrument to be signed by their respective, duly authorized officers and their corporate seals to be hereunto affixed this (day, month, year).
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of: | Corporation Name |
............................................................................ | ............................................................................ |
............................................................................ | ............................................................................ |
............................................................................ | Bonding Company Name |
............................................................................ | By: ..................................................................... |
The commissioner of revenue shall deny any business tax deduction to an employer for the employer's contribution to a health plan for the period which the employer fails to comply with this section. This section does not apply to trusts established under chapter 62H which have been approved by the commissioner.
An employer subject to this section may petition the commissioner to, and the commissioner may, allow the use of a surety bond not in the form specified in subdivision 3, or grant a reduction in the amount of the surety bond or security required.
In reviewing a petition submitted under this subdivision, the commissioner must consider, in addition to any other factors, information provided by the petitioner in regard to the following:
Minn. Stat. § 62A.29
1987 c 337 s 54