O.C.G.A. § 20-2-894 (2019)

(a) On July 1, 1977, or on a date as soon thereafter as practicable, as determined by the board, which is defined as the “employer commence748

ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUC.

ment date” the commissioner shall notify the State School Superintendent that the employer payments shall commence on such date. The Superintendent shall notify the employees that employee payments will commence on a date, as determined by the board, which shall not be less than three calendar months following the employer commencement date. The date as established by the board with reference to the employee payments is defined as the “employee commencement date.” Upon establishment of the employer commencement date, the provisions of this subpart with reference to such payments shall go into effect. In determining the commencement dates as provided in this subsection, the board shall be governed by the money made available by the state to implement this subpart.

(b) All persons who become employees as defined in this subpart on or after the employer commencement date and who are eligible as specified by rules and regulations of the board shall become members of this health insurance plan authorized by this subpart, unless the employee rejects or waives such coverage in writing.