The bill amends various sections of the West Virginia Code to enhance retirement provisions for law enforcement and emergency services personnel. It introduces a new definition for "bona fide separation from service upon retirement," requiring retirants to completely terminate employment with a participating public employer for at least 60 consecutive days. The bill allows campus police officers hired before January 1, 2026, to participate in the Municipal Police and Firefighters Retirement System under specific conditions, while mandating that all newly hired campus police officers must join this retirement system starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, home confinement officers will be authorized to join the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System, with newly hired officers required to participate beginning January 1, 2025.

The bill also clarifies definitions and conditions related to retirement benefits for emergency medical services officers, 911 personnel, home confinement officers, and county firefighters. It specifies that members are not entitled to credit for service years during periods of disability payments and introduces new definitions for terms such as "accrued benefit" and "annual compensation." Furthermore, the bill outlines conditions for adjusting contribution rates based on the retirement plan's funding status and establishes a framework for increasing benefits as funding thresholds are met. Overall, the bill aims to improve retirement benefits for emergency service personnel while ensuring the sustainability of the retirement system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-4-5, 18B-7-5
Committee Substitute: 8-22A-2, 18B-4-5, 18B-7-5
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 8-22A-2, 16-5V-2, 18B-4-5, 18B-7-5, 16-5V-6f