The bill amends the laws concerning survivor benefits for dependent children of members of the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System and the State Police Retirement System. It raises the age limit for a child to be considered a dependent from eighteen (18) to twenty-three (23) years of age, applicable until the child's death, marriage, or attainment of the new age limit. Additionally, the bill allows for the extension of benefits for children who are deemed physically or mentally incompetent by a court or the respective retirement system's Board of Trustees, ensuring that these benefits continue for as long as the incompetency exists.

Furthermore, the bill includes an emergency clause, stating that the revisions are necessary for the proper administration of benefits and to protect the interests of members within the retirement systems. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, aligning with the fiscal calendar year to facilitate a smooth transition and implementation of the new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1348 Original - 1-30-2025 04:47 PM: 24-4-608(d), 24-6-216(d), 24-6-217(e), 24-6-411(d)
Old version HB1348 V2 - 3-12-2025 02:04 PM: 24-4-608(d), 24-6-216(d), 24-6-217(e), 24-6-411(d)
HB 1348: 24-4-608(d), 24-6-216(d), 24-6-217(e), 24-6-411(d)
Act 364: 24-4-608(d), 24-6-216(d), 24-6-217(e), 24-6-411(d)