Gives teachers who takes an unpaid parental or medical leave during the year credit for a year of service for that school year if they served a minimum of 135 days.
Impact
If enacted, this bill will positively impact teachers by ensuring that their retirement benefits are not diminished due to temporary leaves taken for parental or medical reasons. This recognition aims to adhere to contemporary workplace values which emphasize work-life balance and supports educators in managing personal responsibilities without the fear of losing valuable service credits that contribute towards their retirement. The bill could set a precedent for similar policies across other professions as well.
Summary
S0454 aims to amend the existing regulations surrounding teacher retirement creditability in Rhode Island. Specifically, the bill provisions that teachers who take an unpaid parental or medical leave during the school year will still be credited with a full year of service as long as they have completed at least 135 days of service within that year. This amendment acknowledges the importance of supporting teachers during significant life events such as childbirth and medical issues while maintaining their path towards retirement benefits.
Contention
While the intent of the bill is to support teachers, it may raise discussions regarding the possible implications for the state’s education budget and retirement fund stability. Stakeholders might voice concerns about the financial burdens associated with expanding service credit eligibility. Additionally, there may be contrasting views on how such provisions could affect teacher staffing and school funding, particularly if many educators opt for longer unpaid leaves under the new policy.
Reduces the number of years from five (5) to three (3), when calculating for retirement purposes, the average of the highest consecutive years of compensation, for teachers, and state and municipal employees.
Allows teachers, state and municipal employees to retire upon the earlier of reaching age sixty (60) with thirty (30) years of service or the employee's retirement eligibility date under present state statutes.
Reduces the number of years from five (5) to three (3), when calculating for retirement purposes, the average of the highest consecutive years of compensation, for state and municipal employees.
Reduces the number of years from five (5) to three (3), when calculating for retirement purposes, the average of the highest consecutive years of compensation, for state and municipal employees.
Allows police and firefighters to retire with 20 years of service and attained 57 years of age based on their highest 3 years consecutive compensation.
Increases the amount of unpaid parental or family leave available to an employee, from thirteen (13) weeks to twenty-six (26) weeks, in any two (2) calendar years.
Allows retired state employees who worked as certified or qualified court interpreter to be employed or re-employed for a limited period of time in a given year to provide court interpretation services within the unified judicial system.
Allows retired state employees who worked as certified or qualified court interpreter to be employed or re-employed for a limited period of time in a given year to provide court interpretation services within the unified judicial system.
House Resolution Adopting The Rules Of The House Of Representatives For The Years 2023 And 2024 (this Resolution Would Adopt The Rules Of The House Of Representatives For The Years 2023 And 2024.)