This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to improve benefits for retired sheriff's deputies, particularly those who retired after July 1, 2018. It increases the accrued benefit percentage for these members from two and one-half percent to two and three-quarters percent of their final average salary multiplied by their years of credited service. Additionally, the monthly benefit payment for totally disabled retirees is raised from $400 to $600. The bill also introduces a new fee structure for reports generated by sheriff's offices, increasing the minimum fee from $10 to $20 and the maximum fee from $20 to $30, with a portion of these fees allocated to the Deputy Sheriff Retirement Fund.

Moreover, the bill specifies the conditions for receiving disability benefits, providing that totally disabled members will receive 90 percent of their average monthly compensation for the 12 months preceding their disability award, while partially disabled members will receive 45 percent. It also establishes a new $10 fee for various services, including fingerprinting and background checks, while ensuring that no charges will be imposed for reports made to governmental agencies. Additionally, the bill mandates that county commissions that fail to make timely payments to the Deputy Sheriff Retirement Fund must pay the actuarial rate of interest lost on the total amount owed, compounding daily, with a minimum surcharge of $50. Overall, the bill aims to enhance financial support for retired deputies and ensure adequate compensation for their service.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-14D-2, 7-14D-14, 7-14E-2