Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

Massachusetts House Bill H2499

Introduced
2/16/23  

Caption

Authorizing the South Shore Charter School to join the State Employees Retirement System

Impact

The legislation particularly affects employees of the South Shore Charter School who are currently not eligible for the teachers' retirement system. It permits these employees to become Group 61 members of the state employees retirement system, effective retroactively from January 1, 2017. Moreover, the bill proposes a provision allowing these new members to purchase creditable service for the time they worked prior to the bill's implementation, provided they make the necessary contributions into the system.

Summary

House Bill H2499, introduced by Representative David F. DeCoste, aims to authorize the South Shore Charter School to join the State Employees Retirement System (ERS). This initiative is designed to ensure that eligible employees of the charter school can access the benefits available through the state retirement system, which allows for a more secure retirement for its staff members. The bill highlights the alignment of charter schools with public employee benefits and acknowledges the contributions of charter school staff to the educational landscape.

Contention

One point of contention could arise from the need for a favorable ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding compliance with federal retirement system regulations. The bill stipulates that it will not take effect unless the IRS confirms that its implementation will not impair the state employees retirement system's compliance with the Internal Revenue Code. This dependency on federal approval may raise questions about the feasibility and timing of the bill's enactment.

Additional_notes

There has been historical reference in previous sessions concerning similar matters, emphasizing ongoing discussions around the retirement benefits for charter school employees. H2499, in its attempt to streamline and enhance such benefits, may invoke further scrutiny regarding the equitable treatment of charter versus traditional public school employees, including how these benefits impact recruitment and retention of educational staff.

Companion Bills

MA S1684

Similar To Relative to retirement buy back into the Massachusetts State Retirement system for Sherrie Stevens

MA S1612

Similar To Relative to a service based retirement option for Group 1 and Group 2 career employees

MA H4518

Replaced by Study Order

Previously Filed As

MA H2805

Authorizing the South Shore Charter School to join the State Employees Retirement System

MA HB1062

Provides for notice to employees when a charter school withdraws from the Teachers' Retirement System of La. or the La. School Employees' Retirement System (OR NO IMPACT APV)

MA SB1343

Public employees’ retirement: charter schools.

MA H2583

Relative to the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System

MA H2804

Authorizing the Plymouth County Retirement System to grant creditable service to Judy Hartigan

MA HB25

Provides relative to participation of charter school employees in the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (OR INCREASE APV)

MA HB34

Establishes an optional hybrid retirement plan for employees of charter schools (OR INCREASE APV)

MA H2892

Relative to the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System

MA H2803

Authorizing the Plymouth County Retirement System to grant creditable service to David Osborne

MA S2844

Authorizing the town of Pembroke to issue one additional liquor license to South Shore Market and Deli

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.