This bill amends the Kansas public employees retirement system by redefining the classification of teachers and transferring their membership from the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2015 to the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2009. Specifically, it establishes that any teacher first employed by a participating employer on or after July 1, 2025, will be a member of the 2009 system. Additionally, all active and inactive teacher members currently enrolled in the 2015 system will have their membership transferred to the 2009 system on January 1, 2026. The bill ensures that all contributions and service credits prior to this transfer will be honored under the 2009 provisions, and teachers will retain their rights and benefits.

The bill also includes amendments to K.S.A. 74-49,301, which will now exclude non-vested employees from certain provisions, and it repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 74-49,301. The definition of "teacher" is clarified to include any professional employee required to hold a teaching certificate in school districts and technical or community colleges. The bill emphasizes that the transfer of teachers to the 2009 system will not affect the system's compliance with federal qualification requirements, and it outlines the responsibilities of participating employers regarding the transferred teachers. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the retirement system for teachers in Kansas while ensuring their benefits are preserved.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-49, 74-4901