This bill amends Section 10-11-8 of the New Mexico Statutes to expand the definition of "peace officers" eligible to return to work under specific conditions after retirement. The new language specifies that a "peace officer" includes not only those appointed by the attorney general or district attorney but also any state employee with a duty to maintain public order or make arrests for crime, whether that duty is broad or limited to specific crimes. This change aims to clarify the categories of retired members who can be reemployed in various public safety roles.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which retired members can return to work, including a minimum 90-day break from employment with the affiliated public employer, the requirement to not accrue service credit during reemployment, and the continuation of pension payments during this period. The bill also mandates that affiliated public employers track and document the employment status of reemployed retired members and prioritize them for layoffs if necessary. Overall, the legislation seeks to provide more flexibility for retired peace officers to return to work while ensuring that pension benefits are maintained.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 10-11-8