Sec. 2.5. (a) For purposes of this section, "employer" refers to an employer that is any of the following:
(1) A political subdivision (as defined in IC 36-1-2-13).
(2) A state educational institution.
(b) An employer of an individual who is a member of the general assembly shall provide to the individual at all times during which the individual is serving as a member of the general assembly:
(1) the same insurance and other benefits; and
(2) at the same cost to the individual;
as is provided to the individual by the employer when the individual is not serving as a member of the general assembly.