This bill amends current law to mandate the full forfeiture of pension benefits for any elected or appointed official convicted of a crime related to their office. Specifically, it requires the board of trustees of any State or locally-administered pension fund to order the forfeiture of all earned service credit or retirement benefits for members convicted of misconduct during their public service, regardless of whether the pension system covered the office in question. The bill also expands the criteria for forfeiture to include any misconduct that renders a member's service dishonorable, allowing for a broader interpretation of what constitutes grounds for forfeiture.

Additionally, the bill outlines that when evaluating misconduct, the board of trustees must consider a range of factors, including the member's length of service, the nature of the misconduct, and the relationship between the misconduct and the member's public duties. This approach aims to ensure that any forfeiture is just and proportionate to the circumstances of the misconduct. Overall, the bill strengthens the accountability of public officials by ensuring that those convicted of crimes related to their office face significant consequences regarding their pension benefits.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43:1-3