Bill > HB32

This bill makes several changes to the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS). It clarifies that a disability retiree can be restored to active service if they are no longer considered "for regular retirement," meaning they are not yet eligible for normal retirement benefits, and if they return to work, their disability period will count as credited service for retirement eligibility after contributing for at least three years, though not for calculating the benefit amount. The definition of a "job appointment" is updated to mean a temporary position for a period determined by the State Civil Service Commission, rather than a fixed two-year limit. The bill also expands the exceptions to the exemption of retirement benefits from legal processes to include R.S. 11:293 in addition to R.S. 11:292. It allows the director of the system to correct administrative errors with documentation submitted to the board of trustees, removing the previous requirement for correction at the next board meeting. For benefit calculations, the bill specifies that average compensation will be determined according to R.S. 11:403 and that the highest three or five years of service, as provided in R.S. 11:403, will be used for calculating retirement benefits, and it clarifies that the term "spouse" for annuity options refers to the person legally married at the time of retirement or Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) participation. Finally, the bill states that any costs associated with these changes will be covered by additional employer contributions and sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26rs&b=HB32&sbi=y