The bill amends the General Laws concerning longevity payments for various state employees, including those in higher education and elementary and secondary education. It introduces new language that entitles state employees to a longevity payment of five percent (5%) of their base salary after ten years of service, which increases to ten percent (10%) after twenty years of service, effective from July 1, 2024. The bill also includes a deletion of the term "initial employment" in Section 3, affecting the eligibility of reemployed state employees for longevity increases. It specifies that no further longevity increases will occur after July 1, 2011, except for those under a collective bargaining agreement in effect on June 1, 2011, with such increases ceasing upon the expiration of the agreement or on July 1, 2011, whichever is later. For employees who have already accrued longevity payments, the amount earned by the last pay period in June 2011 will be added to their base salary.

The proposed legislation affects state employees across various branches and departments, including the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, as well as the department of state, attorney general, and treasury. It clarifies that longevity increases will stop after July 1, 2011, or upon the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement in effect on that date, with accrued longevity payments maintained at the percentage in effect on June 30, 2011. The bill also extends the new longevity payment entitlements to employees of quasi-public corporations and states that the act will take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7249: 16-59-7.2, 16-60-7.2, 36-6-22, 36-16.2-1