Bill > HB1388

This bill allows retired employees (retirants) to return to work as investigators in the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General without losing their retirement benefits, addressing critical labor shortages in these agencies. Specifically, the bill creates a new provision that permits retirants to be rehired as investigators without reenrolling in the Employees' Retirement System, subject to several conditions: the retirant must not have been employed by the state or county in the previous six calendar months, no prior agreement for return to work was made before retirement, and the hiring department must contribute to the pension accumulation fund to offset unfunded liability. The bill also requires the director of human resources for each state jurisdiction to submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing the employment of these retirant investigators, including the number and types of positions filled. This legislation builds upon previous amendments to Hawaii's retirement laws and aims to provide flexibility in addressing workforce challenges, particularly in investigative roles where finding qualified personnel may be difficult.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1388&year=2026