Bill > SB874

This bill amends the West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System to allow current home confinement officers to participate in the system. Specifically, the bill creates a new definition for "home confinement officer" as a full-time employee working in a county sheriff's office or county commission, and provides a pathway for these officers to transfer from the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) to the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System. Home confinement officers employed on July 1, 2025, will have the option to elect to transfer into the new retirement plan, with their previous years of service from PERS being counted towards their retirement benefits. The bill outlines a detailed process for transferring assets, including complex calculations to determine the appropriate amount of funds to be moved from PERS to the new system. Home confinement officers who choose to transfer must do so by August 29, 2025, and once made, their election is irrevocable. The transfer will be completed by March 31, 2026, with retirement benefits potentially commencing on or after April 1, 2026. The bill also provides provisions for officers to potentially pay back contributions to receive a higher benefit multiplier, with a deadline of December 31, 2030, for full reinstatement.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=874&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill