§2–502.

    (a)    There is a State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, to be developed and administered by the Secretary.

    (b)    (1)    The Program:

            (i)    subject to the regulations adopted under § 2–503 of this subtitle, shall encompass all units in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of State government, including any unit with an independent personnel system;

            (ii)    shall include the health insurance benefit options established by the Secretary; and

            (iii)    except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, may include any other benefit option that the Secretary considers appropriate.

        (2)    The Program may not contain any of the benefits provided under Division II or Title 35 or Title 37 of this article.

    (c)    The provisions of the Program that apply to spouses shall apply to parties who have entered into a domestic partnership, as defined in § 6–101 of the Health – General Article.