This bill amends the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System Act in West Virginia to allow newly hired emergency medical vehicle operators to participate in the retirement system. It introduces a new definition for "Emergency Medical Vehicle Operator," which refers to individuals employed by a county or political subdivision as authorized drivers of ambulances or other emergency medical services vehicles. The term "covered employment" is also expanded to include these operators, ensuring their eligibility for retirement benefits. Additionally, the bill updates existing definitions within the retirement system, including "member," "final average salary," and "normal retirement age," while deleting outdated terms to enhance clarity and reflect current practices.

Furthermore, the bill aims to broaden participation in the Emergency Medical Services Officer Retirement System by including newly hired emergency vehicle operators, thereby enhancing retirement benefits for a wider range of emergency service personnel. It also clarifies various terms related to the retirement system, such as "Plan," "Plan year," and "Totally disabled," and specifies criteria for determining total disability and conditions for earning service credits. Overall, these changes demonstrate a commitment to supporting the workforce in emergency medical services and ensuring the retirement system remains relevant and beneficial for both current and future employees in this essential field.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-5V-2