This bill seeks to amend Alaska's laws regarding the restoration of tenure rights for disabled teachers and the retirement systems for public employees. It allows teachers who were retired due to disability to regain their tenure rights if their disability is resolved or compensated through rehabilitation, contingent upon certification from the commissioner of administration. The bill also modifies the Public Employees' Retirement System and the teachers' retirement system, giving employees the option to choose between defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Key amendments include the repeal and reenactment of sections related to retirement plan applicability, the introduction of a one-time election for teachers to switch to a defined contribution plan, and new requirements for disabled employees to apply for vocational rehabilitation programs.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new conditions for disabled employees, such as the necessity to provide proof of application for Social Security disability payments within 30 days, with benefits ceasing if they do not comply. It also outlines changes to major medical insurance coverage for retirees, specifying premium payment conditions based on years of service. Additionally, it allows public employees hired after June 30, 2006, to switch from a defined contribution to a defined benefit retirement plan, with specific procedures for transferring contributions. The bill mandates the commissioner of administration to adopt regulations for these changes, which will take effect under the Administrative Procedure Act, with most provisions becoming effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB0027A, AM SB 27, introduced 01/10/2025: 14.20.165, 14.25.130, 14.25.009, 14.25.220, 14.25.310, 14.25.590, 14.25.040, 14.40.661, 14.40.799, 14.25.330, 14.25.540, 14.25.050, U.S.C, 14.25.168, 14.25.350, 14.25.167, 39.35.095, 39.35.680, 14.25.070, 14.25.485, 39.35.700, 39.35.990, 39.35.600, 39.35.650, 39.35.160, 39.35.400, 39.35.410, 39.35.535, 39.35.360, 39.35.370, 39.35.750, 39.35.530, 39.35.620, 39.35.625, 39.35.720, 39.35.940, 39.35.255, 39.35.890, 14.25.012, 39.35.957, 39.30.150, 39.30.180, 14.25.360, 39.35.760, 14.25.010, 14.25.320, 14.25.490, 39.35.115, 39.35.678, 39.35.710, 39.35.895, 39.35.003, 14.25.003, 37.10.210