2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 266
BY SENATOR COLOMB
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request that 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.
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana has made every effort to provide for its public
servants through their retirement benefits and treats such benefits with the highest regard;
and
WHEREAS, forfeiture or garnishment of such benefits of a member or beneficiary
is not something to be taken lightly and has been provided for only in very limited
circumstances such as public corruption, criminal sexual misconduct, and child support
enforcement; and
WHEREAS, under the Louisiana Civil Code, an heir or legatee who intentionally
kills someone may be judicially declared unworthy to receive anything from the victim's
estate; and
WHEREAS, under the Louisiana Insurance Code, no person adjudged to be
criminally responsible for the death of the individual insured shall receive insurance benefits
under a life insurance contract; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana law does not currently provide for forfeiture or garnishment
of retirement benefits when the murder of a system member or retiree results in the
convicted murderer receiving payments from the system as a beneficiary of the victim; and
WHEREAS, it is contrary to the public policy of this state to enrich a person at the
expense of another's life; and
WHEREAS, an alternative to payment of retirement benefits to a person convicted
of murdering a system member or retiree should be explored with the various retirement
systems that align with the state's public policy.
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 266 ENROLLED
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate Committee on Retirement is urged
to seek input from the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers'
Retirement System of Louisiana, the Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, and
the Louisiana State Police Retirement System.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall report its findings, including
any recommended legislation, to the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana by
January 31, 2020.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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