Title I, SEC. 1006. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ENTITLEMENT. 
      (a) Regional Alliance Eligible Individuals. 

        (1) In general. In the case of regional alliance eligible individuals 
      residing in a State, the entitlement under this part (and requirements 
      under section 1002) shall not take effect until the State becomes a 
      participating State (as defined in section 1200). 

        (2) Transitional rule for corporate alliances. 

          (A) In general. In the case of a State that becomes a participating 
        State before the general effective date (as defined in subsection (c)) 
        and for periods before such date, under rules established by the Board, 
        an individual who is covered under an employee benefit plan (described 
        in subparagraph (C)) based on the individual (or the individual's 
        spouse) being a qualifying employee of a qualifying employer, the 
        individual shall not be treated under this Act as a regional alliance 
        eligible individual. 

          (B) Qualifying employer defined. In subparagraph (A), the term 
        ``qualifying employer'' means an employer that 

            (i) is described in section 1311(b)(1)(A), or is participating in a 
          multiemployer plan described in section 1311(b)(1)(B) or arrangement 
          described in section 1311(b)(1)(C), and 

            (ii) provides such notice to the regional alliance involved as the 
          Board specifies. 

          (C) Benefits plan described. A plan described in this subparagraph is 
        an employee benefit plan that 

            (i) provides (through insurance or otherwise) the comprehensive 
          benefit package, and 

            (ii) provides an employer contribution of at least 80 percent of 
          the premium (or premium equivalent) for coverage 

      (b) Corporate Alliance Eligible Individuals. 

        (1) In general. In the case of corporate alliance eligible individuals, 
      the entitlement under this part shall not take effect until the general 
      effective date. 

        (2) Transition. For purposes of this Act and before the general 
      effective date, in the case of an eligible individual who resides in a 
      participating State, the individual is deemed a regional alliance 
      eligible individual until the individual becomes a corporate alliance 
      eligible individual, unless paragraph (2)(A) applies to the individual. 

      (c) General Effective Date Defined. In this Act, the term ``general 
    effective date'' means January 1, 1998.