Bill > HB2581

This bill amends the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) to expand enhanced retirement benefits for certain public service employees, specifically full-time salaried 911 dispatchers, full-time animal control officers, and sworn municipal park rangers who qualify as conservators of the peace. The enhanced benefits, which are equivalent to those provided to state police officers, will apply only to service earned in these positions on or after July 1, 2026. However, local government employers have the discretion to provide these enhanced retirement benefits for service earned before that date. The bill allows these employees to potentially receive retirement benefits similar to those of state police officers, which may include early retirement options and more favorable retirement allowance calculations. The changes aim to recognize the hazardous and critical nature of these public service roles by providing them with more comprehensive retirement benefits. The bill has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026, giving local governments time to prepare for and implement these new retirement benefit provisions.

Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB2581