Bill > HB1611

This bill modifies the Employees Retirement System of Texas to expand the definition of "custodial officer" to include juvenile correctional officers and caseworkers employed by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). The bill allows these TJJD employees to receive custodial officer service credit in the retirement system, which typically provides enhanced retirement benefits for employees in high-risk or challenging jobs. Specifically, the bill defines "juvenile correctional officer" by referencing existing state law, and establishes that to be creditable, the service must be performed directly as a juvenile correctional officer or caseworker. The changes apply to TJJD employees hired before, on, or after the effective date, with some limitations: service credit established before the bill's effective date will be considered for retirement benefits, but members cannot receive supplemental retirement fund benefits if they retire before September 1, 2027. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is required to certify employee information to the retirement system and begin making appropriate deductions for the supplemental retirement fund. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and requires the retirement system's board of trustees to adopt implementation rules in consultation with TJJD.

Labor and Employment

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1611