Legislation signed by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will require group health insurance policies sold by commercial insurers to continue coverage for up to one year for dependent children under age 25 who can’t continue as full-time students because of a medical condition.

Under the new law, which will take effect July 1, coverage in such situations would remain in force for up to 12 months from the date a dependent child ceased to be a full-time student or attained age 25, whichever occurs first.

The measure is part of a trend by states to find ways to enable employees’ dependents to retain group coverage for a longer period of time, reducing the likelihood that the individuals will become uninsured.

Filed by Jerry Geisel of Business Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.