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 a definition of "teacher" as any professional employee required to hold a teaching certificate in any school district or as an instructor in a technical or community college. It amends K.S.A. 74-49,301, which will now be known as the Kansas public employees retirement system act of 2015, and repeals the existing section. The legislation aims to streamline the retirement system for teachers and ensure that their benefits are preserved during the transition.

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