The bill amends Section 17-1-2 of the General Laws to introduce new definitions related to elections, specifically defining "election official" as any person employed in the administration or conduct of elections by the state board, board of canvassers, or as a poll worker, and clarifying that the total number of days served by a retired election official may be combined for any one year in which a general election is held.

Additionally, the bill adds a new section, 17-7-6.1, which allows retired election officials to be temporarily employed by the state board of elections for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days in any calendar year during which a general election or special election is held. This temporary employment does not result in any forfeiture or reduction of the retirement benefits the election official is receiving or may receive. The bill also requires that notice of the employment be sent monthly to the state retirement board by both the state board employing the election official and the retired election official at the end of each temporary employment period. Furthermore, the bill outlines the calculation of the ninety-day employment period, allowing for either seven (7) hours to constitute a full day or three and a half (3.5) hours to constitute a half day, with the latter allowing for a total of one hundred eighty (180) half days, equivalent to ninety (90) full days. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5315: 17-1-2