29 U.S.C. § 1165 — Election

(a) In general For purposes of this part—
(1) Election period The term “election period” means the period which—
(A) begins by the date on which coverage ends under the plan^* by reason of a qualifying event^*,
(B) is of at least 60 days’ duration, and
(C) ends not earlier than 60 days after the later of—
(i) the date described in subparagraph (A), or
(ii) in the case of any qualified beneficiary^* who receives notice under section 1166(4) of this title, the date of such notice.
(2) Effect of election on other beneficiaries Except as otherwise specified in an election, any election of continuation coverage by a qualified beneficiary^* described in subparagraph (A)(i) or
(B) of section 1167(3) of this title is treated as include an election of continuation coverage on behalf of any other qualified beneficiary who would lose coverage under the plan by reason of the qualifying event. If there is a choice among types of coverage under the plan, each qualified beneficiary is entitled to make a separate selection among such types of coverage.

(b) Temporary extension of COBRA election period for certain people
(1) In general In the case of a nonelecting TAA-eligible person^* and notwithstanding subsection (a), such person may elect continuation coverage under this part during the 60-day period that begins on the first day of the month in which the person becomes a TAA-eligible person, but only if such election is made by 6 months after the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage.
(2) Commencement of coverage; no reach-back Any continuation coverage elected by a TAA-eligible person under paragraph
(1) must begin at the beginning of the 60-day election period described in such paragraph and must not include any period before such 60-day election period.
(3) Preexisting conditions With respect to an person who elects continuation coverage under paragraph (1), the period—
(A) beginning on the date of the TAA-related loss of coverage, and
(B) ending on the first day of the 60-day election period described in paragraph (1), must be disregarded for determining the 63-day periods referred to in section 1181(c)(2) of this title, section 2701(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, and section 9801(c)(2) of title 26.
(4) Definitions For purposes of this subsection:
(A) Nonelecting TAA-eligible person The term “nonelecting TAA-eligible person” means a TAA-eligible person who—
(i) has a TAA-related loss of coverage; and
(ii) did not elect continuation coverage under this part during the TAA-related election period.
(B) TAA-eligible person The term “TAA-eligible person” means—
(i) an eligible TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph
(2) of section 35(c) of title 26 ), and
(ii) an eligible alternative TAA recipient (as defined in paragraph
(3) of such section).
(C) TAA-related election period The term “TAA-related election period” means, about a TAA-related loss of coverage, the 60-day election period under this part which is a direct consequence of such loss.
(D) TAA-related loss of coverage The term “TAA-related loss of coverage” means, about an person whose separation from employment gives rise to being an TAA-eligible person, the loss of health benefits coverage associated with such separation.