Bill > HR3226

This bill, known as the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, amends federal retirement laws to expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" for retirement purposes, adding several new categories of federal employees who can qualify for law enforcement retirement benefits. Specifically, the bill includes employees who investigate or apprehend individuals suspected of federal crimes and are authorized to carry firearms, Internal Revenue Service employees who collect delinquent taxes, United States Postal Inspection Service employees, Department of Veterans Affairs police officers, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized property specialists. The bill provides a mechanism for both current and future law enforcement officers to benefit from these changes, allowing incumbent employees to elect to have their prior service counted as law enforcement service by making a written election within five years of the act's enactment. Employees who make this election can pay additional retirement contributions to receive full law enforcement retirement benefits, and their agencies will also be required to make corresponding government contributions. Additionally, the bill provides a temporary exemption from mandatory retirement age for law enforcement officers during the three years following the act's enactment. The primary goal of this legislation is to recognize and provide equitable retirement benefits for federal employees who perform law enforcement-related duties but were previously not classified as law enforcement officers.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3226/all-info