Bill > SF1444

This bill modifies the provisions for public employees in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) to purchase service credit for periods of military service. The key provisions are: 1. It allows PERA members to purchase service credit for periods of federally protected military leave, where the member returns to public service within the required timeframe and did not receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge. The member must pay equivalent employee contributions, and the employer must pay equivalent employer and additional employer contributions, along with interest. 2. It also allows PERA members with at least 3 years of service credit to purchase service credit for other periods of military service that occurred before becoming a public employee or for which they failed to obtain credit previously. The purchase price is determined under the state's general service credit purchase provisions. 3. The bill sets a 5-year maximum for the amount of service credit that can be purchased, unless a longer period is required under federal law. If the full payment is not made, the service credit is prorated accordingly. The changes are intended to better align PERA's military service credit purchase provisions with federal protections for members who take military leave.