SLS 19RS-3376 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 266
BY SENATOR COLOMB
RETIREMENT BENEFITS. Request study of disposition of retirement benefits for state
systems when a beneficiary is convicted of murdering the system member.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request that the Senate Committee on Retirement to conduct a study of
3 disposition of retirement benefits for state systems when a beneficiary is convicted
4 of murdering the system member.
5 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has made every effort to provide for its public
6 servants through their retirement benefits and treats such benefits with the highest regard;
7 and
8 WHEREAS, forfeiture or garnishment of such benefits of a member or beneficiary
9 is not something to be taken lightly and has been provided for only in very limited
10 circumstances such as public corruption, criminal sexual misconduct, and child support
11 enforcement; and
12 WHEREAS, under the Louisiana Civil Code, an heir or legatee who intentionally
13 kills someone may be judicially declared unworthy to receive anything from the victim's
14 estate; and
15 WHEREAS, under the Louisiana Insurance Code, no person adjudged to be
16 criminally responsible for the death of the individual insured shall receive insurance benefits
17 under a life insurance contract; and
18 WHEREAS, Louisiana law does not currently provide for forfeiture or garnishment
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SLS 19RS-3376 ORIGINAL
1 of retirement benefits when the murder of a system member or retiree results in the
2 convicted murderer receiving payments from the system as a beneficiary of the victim; and
3 WHEREAS, it is contrary to the public policy of this state to enrich a person at the
4 expense of another's life; and
5 WHEREAS, an alternative to payment of retirement benefits to a person convicted
6 of murdering a system member or retiree should be explored with the various retirement
7 systems that align with the state's public policy.
8 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
9 does hereby urge and request the Senate Committee on Retirement to conduct a study of
10 disposition of retirement benefits for state systems when a beneficiary is convicted of
11 murdering the system member.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate Committee on Retirement is urged
13 to seek input from the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers'
14 Retirement System of Louisiana, the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, and
15 the Louisiana State Police Retirement System.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall report its findings, including
17 any recommended legislation, to the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana by January 31,
18 2020.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Margaret M. Corley.
DIGEST
SR 266 Original 2019 Regular Session Colomb
Requests the Senate Committee on Retirement to conduct a study of disposition of
retirement benefits for state systems when a beneficiary is convicted of murdering the
system member.
Requires report to the Senate on January 31, 2020.
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