Bill > H30

This bill clarifies the rules for teachers at privately-operated special education schools to buy back previous years of service for their public employee retirement benefits. Specifically, the bill defines a "non-public school" as a private institution in Massachusetts that offers a state-approved special education program, excluding residential or afterschool programs. Teachers who previously worked in such schools, where student tuition was partially or fully funded by the state, can now retroactively purchase retirement service credits. To do this, they must deposit an amount equal to what would have been withheld as retirement contributions during their previous service, plus interest. The buyback is limited to 10 years and cannot exceed the total service credit they would have earned in public schools by age 65. If a member's non-public school service ultimately exceeds their public school service, only the most recent years of non-public school service will be credited, and excess payments will be refunded. The bill ensures that teachers cannot receive retirement credit for service periods already covered by another retirement system, and requires members to provide documentation to verify their service history.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H30