The term "eligible employees" as used in this Article shall mean employees who are appointed half-time or more for more than six (6) months. Those excluded from benefits include intermittent employees or any employee paid wholly from funds not controlled by the CSU, or from revolving or similar funds from which a regular State share payment of the insurance premium cannot be made.

The parties agree to extend health, dental and vision benefits to domestic partners, as defined pursuant to Section 297 et seq. of the Family Code, Article 9, Section 22867 et seq. of the Government Code and Section 1261 of the Health and Safety Code, of benefit eligible employees in the bargaining unit. The parties further agree that the registration of domestic partners of benefit eligible employees, and all other procedures and conditions required to receive health benefits, as currently set forth in CalPERS Circular Letter 600-18, shall also apply to the receipt of dental and vision benefits.

It is further understood and agreed that the parties to this Agreement do not intend to waive, and do not waive, their individual and/or collective rights to challenge, including in a court of competent jurisdiction, the propriety and/or legality of CalPERS regulations as set forth in CalPERS Circular Letter 600-18. If said CalPERS regulations are revised, Circular Letter 600-18 regulations as amended will control the implementation of health, dental and vision benefits for the domestic partners of Unit 4 benefit eligible employees. Any such changes involving mandatory bargaining subjects under HEERA shall be subject to negotiation upon thirty (30) day notice by a party to this Agreement.

Eligible employees and eligible family members as defined by CalPERS shall continue to receive health benefits offered through the CalPERS system for the life of this Agreement. Payment for those benefits shall be based on rates established by CalPERS for participating members. The employer contribution shall be based upon the formula as provided in Government Code Section 22871, and any changes to the employee contribution shall be effective on the date required under this Section even if it occurs during the life of this Agreement.

This Agreement does not supersede the Government Code as it applies to CalPERS law.

All bargaining unit employees who contribute toward health benefits pursuant to provision 24.4 shall be entitled to participate in the CSU Health Premium Conversion Program. The terms of this program shall be determined by the CSU. All administrative costs for participation shall be paid by participating employees.

The dental benefits provided by the CSU through the insurer(s) selected by the CSU for the CSU Enhanced Prepaid Dental Plan and the CSU Enhanced Level II Indemnity Dental Plan shall be offered to eligible employees and eligible family members. The Employer's contribution to such plans shall equal one hundred percent (100%) of the basic monthly premium.

All bargaining unit employees shall be entitled to participate in the CSU Dependent Care Reimbursement Program. The terms of this program shall be determined by the CSU. All administrative costs for participation shall be paid by participating employees.

Bargaining unit employees will continue to pay a premium of $2 per month for this benefit. In accordance with Section 21581 of the Government Code, the University and the employee shall split all costs above $4.00. Should Section 21582 be amended to allow supersession of Section 21581 by this Agreement, the University agrees that all monthly premiums in excess of the $2.00 monthly employee contribution will be paid by the CSU.

The life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance shall be provided to eligible employees by the CSU through the insurer(s) selected by the CSU at no cost to the employee. This program shall provide insurance during the term of employment in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).

In order to participate, an employee will be required to request participation and certify that he/she has alternate non-CSU coverage in the insurance being waived.