This bill amends the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement Act to allow general counsel of executive branch agencies, who have been contracted for 10 or more consecutive calendar years, to purchase retroactive service credit for their time served. The counsel must pay their share of contributions, while the agency will cover the employer's share. Importantly, no interest or penalties will be applied for the purchase of this retroactive service credit if the counsel was ineligible to become a member during the years they are purchasing credit for, or if their contributions would have been refused by the board. Additionally, the bill stipulates that no more than one year of service can be credited for all service rendered in any calendar year, and the payment for the retroactive service credit must be completed within 24 months of the termination of employment or contractual obligation with the agency.

The bill also includes various provisions regarding service credit for employees of the State Legislature and other public employees, including those who have worked under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and court reporters. It clarifies the conditions under which service credit can be granted, including the requirement for documentation and the timeframes for application. The amendments aim to streamline the process for obtaining service credit and ensure that employees are recognized for their service, while also maintaining the integrity of the retirement system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-10-14