DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 38 Engrossed 2022 Regular Session Thompson
Abstract: Creates a permanent fund to pay group insurance premiums and defines the requirements
for sheriffs or deputy sheriffs who retire and become eligible for payment of group insurance
premium costs from the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office.
Present law provides that the sheriff of Richland Parish shall pay the premium costs of group
insurance from the sheriff's general fund for any sheriff or full-time deputy sheriff who is entitled
to receive monthly benefits from the Sheriff's Pension and Relief Fund and who retires from the
Richland Parish Sheriff's Office upon meeting one of three eligibility requirements.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that any sheriff or deputy sheriff who has attained the age of 55, is eligible to
retire, and retires after August 31, 2013, with at least 25 years of creditable service with the Richland
Parish Sheriff's Office shall receive 50% of the premium costs of group hospital, surgical, and
medical expense insurance and the first $10,000 of life insurance contracted for under the provisions
of present law.
Proposed law expands eligibility to any sheriff or deputy sheriff who first becomes eligible to retire
and retires before July 1, 2022.
Present law provides that any sheriff or deputy sheriff who retires with 30 years or more of creditable
service with the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office, regardless of age, shall receive 100% of the
premium costs of group hospital, surgical, and medical expense insurance and the first $10,000 of
life insurance contracted for under the provisions of present law.
Proposed law expands eligibility to any sheriff or deputy sheriff who first becomes eligible to retire
and subsequently retires after August 31, 2013, and before July 1, 2022.
Proposed law provides that any sheriff or deputy sheriff who does not meet the requirements of
present law and retires on or after July 1, 2022, from the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office and is
eligible to receive benefits from the Sheriff's Pension and Relief Fund and meets the requirements
of proposed law shall receive 100% of the premium costs of group hospital, surgical, and medical
expense insurance and the first $10,000 of life insurance contracted for under present law, if the
sheriff or deputy sheriff retires with any of the following qualifications:
(1)At least 15 years of creditable service and is at least 60 years of age and has served 12 years of creditable service with the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office.
(2)At least 20 years of creditable service and is at least 55 years of age and has served 12 years
of creditable service with the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office.
(3)At least 30 years of creditable service and has served 20 years of creditable service with the
Richland Parish Sheriff's Office, regardless of age.
Proposed law creates the Richland Parish Retired Employees Insurance Fund (RREIF), to fund the
payment by the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office for the premium costs of insurance for retired
sheriffs and deputy sheriffs as provided in present law.
Proposed law provides that the Sheriff of Richland Parish may contribute to the RREIF at his
discretion.
Proposed law provides that the sheriff shall invest at least 25% in fixed income investments into the
RREIF, provided that a minimum of 25% of the fixed income portion is rated as investment grade
by a nationally recognized rating agency.
Proposed law provides that earnings realized from investments shall be available for the sheriff to
withdraw for the purpose of paying the insurance premium costs, provided that no such earnings
shall be withdrawn until the amount of principal and accumulated earnings in the RREIF is equal
to the sum of $2 million. Provides that if the deposits and earnings on investments falls below $2
million, no earnings shall be withdrawn and any balance owed for the payment of insurance premium
costs shall be paid in full from the sheriff's general fund.
Proposed law requires any financial audit by the sheriff's office to comply with all provisions of
proposed law.
Proposed law requires the sheriff to establish a three-member investment advisory board consisting
of three members as follows:
(1)The sheriff or his designee.
(2)One retired sheriff or retired deputy sheriff of the department, appointed by the sheriff, who
shall serve a term determined by the sheriff.
(3)One active deputy sheriff of the department, appointed by the sheriff, who shall serve a term
determined by the sheriff.
Proposed law requires the board to meet within 30 days after appointment of members and provides
for election of a chairperson at the first meeting of the board.
(Amends R.S. 13:5554(R)(2) and (3); Adds R.S. 13:5554(R)(4) and 5554.8)