Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; membership; school district board; elections; service credit; effective date; emergency.
Impact
The introduction of this bill is significant as it broadens the scope of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, allowing additional members to join from the education sector. This also raises considerations about the fiscal implications of adding more eligible participants to the system. It is aimed at enhancing the benefits and retirement options available to police officers working within educational settings, which supporters argue could improve recruitment and retention within these roles.
Summary
House Bill 2142 aims to amend the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, specifically addressing the membership definitions and eligibility criteria for law enforcement officers employed by common school districts. This bill allows these officers, who are CLEET certified and serve at schools offering instruction in the ninth grade or higher, to become participants in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. The school district must formally elect to become a participating employer to enable this transition. Furthermore, the bill provides the procedures and conditions necessary for these transfers and the acquisition of service credits previously held in the Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma.
Contention
Some debates around this bill could arise concerning the financial responsibilities that school districts will face upon electing to participate in the retirement system. Critics may raise concerns over potential budget impacts, especially for districts already grappling with tight financial resources. Additionally, there may be discussions about the equity of benefits provided to law enforcement officers compared to other staff in the educational system and how these changes will affect existing retirees within the Teachers' Retirement System.
Carry Over
Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; membership; school district board; elections; service credit; effective date; emergency.
Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; membership; school district board; elections; service credit; effective date; emergency.
Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; codification; effective date; emergency.
Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; defined contribution plan; defined benefit plan; accounts; service credit; effective dates.
Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; membership; school district board; elections; service credit; effective date; emergency.
State employee health insurance; funding to provide flexible benefit allowance; professional risk management program; continuance of health and dental insurance benefits; rates and benefits; disability insurance program for state employees; collections; flexible benefit revolving fund; flexible benefit dollars in the State Employees Benefits Act; effective date.
State-sponsored employee benefits; directing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to administer state-sponsored benefits; removing requirement for certain bid acceptance. Effective date. Emergency.