Bill > HB631

This bill amends the Virginia Code to extend membership in the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System (VaLORS) to full-time salaried emergency dispatchers who work for the Department of State Police or other law enforcement agencies eligible for VaLORS. Specifically, the bill adds "full-time salaried dispatcher for a public safety answering point" to the definition of "employee" within the retirement system, which will allow these dispatchers to participate in the same retirement benefits as other law enforcement personnel. The changes will become effective on July 1, 2025, and will only apply to service earned on or after that date. A "public safety answering point" is a facility where 911 emergency calls are first received and processed, and this bill ensures that full-time dispatchers in these critical communication roles can now access the same retirement benefits as other public safety professionals like police officers, conservation officers, and corrections officers.