Mississippi House Bill HB783

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Retirees; may be employed full time in critical need or shortage position with PERS employer and draw full benefits.

Impact

The passage of HB 783 is expected to have profound implications for state agencies and departments struggling with workforce shortages. By permitting the rehiring of retirees under specific conditions, the bill could help mitigate the impacts of high turnover rates and staff shortages that affect public services. This flexibility might allow for more efficient hiring practices during times of acute need, thereby sustaining operational capacities and service delivery without compromising retirees' benefits.

Summary

House Bill 783 aims to amend Section 25-11-127 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, allowing retired members of the Public Employees' Retirement System to be employed in positions that have a critical need for employees while still receiving their full retirement allowance. This is particularly significant for agencies facing staff shortages, as it opens up the possibility of utilizing experienced retirees to fulfill essential roles without losing their retirement benefits. The bill stresses that the employer must provide satisfactory evidence of the critical need and the retiree's qualifications for the role before employment can commence.

Contention

While proponents of HB 783 argue that it provides a necessary tool for state agencies to address chronic labor shortages, critics may raise concerns about potential abuses of the system. There are fears that it may encourage a reliance on retired workers rather than addressing underlying recruitment and retention issues within public employment. Moreover, questions surrounding age discrimination and the potential impact on younger job seekers in these fields could be points of debate as the bill progresses through the legislative process.