This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to allow current campus police officers to opt into the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System, with the stipulation that any service credit or funds accrued cannot be transferred to this new system. Additionally, it mandates that all newly hired campus police officers must participate in the same retirement system starting January 1, 2026. The bill aims to enhance the retirement benefits available to campus police officers, aligning them with those of other law enforcement personnel in the state.

The bill also includes specific legal language changes, such as the insertion of provisions regarding the pension plan for campus police officers and clarifications about their eligibility for retirement plans. Notably, it specifies that the existing provisions regarding the Higher Education Retirement Plan do not apply to campus police officers, thereby allowing them to participate in the newly established retirement system. This legislative change is intended to improve the recruitment and retention of campus police officers by providing them with better retirement options.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-4-5, 18B-7-5