Bill > HB1344

This bill makes technical amendments to the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and updates the names of the Arkansas School for the Blind and Arkansas School for the Deaf, reflecting an anticipated merger between these institutions. The bill modifies how service credit is calculated for employees of these schools, specifically changing language to refer to them as "former" schools and adding a reference to the "Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind". The changes primarily affect how service months and years are credited for retirement purposes, particularly for employees who worked at these schools before July 1, 1991, and between 1991 and 1999. The bill includes a contingent effectiveness clause, meaning it will only go into effect if another related bill (HB1810) is also enacted. An emergency clause is included to ensure that the changes are implemented consistently and do not disrupt school operations, with the intention of making the changes effective before the 2026 fiscal year. The bill aims to create legal consistency in preparation for the potential merger of the two schools and to clarify retirement service credit calculations for their employees.

Labor and Employment

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1344&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R