(a) Special enrollment for certain individuals who lose coverage—(1) In general. A group health plan is required to permit current employees and dependents (as defined in § 54.9801–2) who are described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section to enroll for coverage under the terms of the plan if the conditions in paragraph (a)(3) of this section are satisfied. The special enrollment rights under this paragraph (a) apply without regard to the dates on which an individual would otherwise be able to enroll under the plan.