The bill amends Section 10-11-8 NMSA 1978 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 employees of the state with duties to maintain public order or make arrests for crime, whether their responsibilities cover all crimes or are limited to specific offenses. This change aims to broaden the scope of retired personnel 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 continuation of pension payments during reemployment, and the stipulation that they will not accrue service credit or seniority during this period. The bill also mandates that affiliated public employers track and document the employment details of reemployed retired members and prioritize layoffs of these members in case of budgetary restrictions. Overall, the legislation seeks to address staffing shortages in public safety roles while ensuring that retired members can return to work under regulated conditions.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 10-11-8