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HB 6061

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

HB 6061 lets certain state employees opt into the State Employees’ Retirement System Tier 1 defined benefit plan, expanding eligibility beyond pre-1997 hires.

03/18/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6061

HB 6061 — Summary (State Employees’ Retirement Act amendments)

Sponsor: Rep. Regina Weiss
Status: Substitute (H‑1) adopted; placed on third reading (12/13/2024). Introduced 11/12/2024; referred to Committee on Labor; later referred to Joint Committee on General Law (1/22/2025).

Purpose

HB 6061 would reopen and expand access to the State Employees’ Retirement System’s (SERS) defined benefit (DB) pension plan (“Tier 1”) by (1) changing statutory definitions and membership rules to allow certain employees hired after the DB plan’s 1997 closure to participate and (2) providing a pathway for current state employees to opt into the DB plan. The bill aims to give some state employees an option to participate in a traditional pension plan instead of only the defined contribution (DC) Tier 2 plan.

Key provisions (as reflected in substitute H‑1)

  • Revises definitions in section 1i:
    • Broadens the meaning of “Tier 1” so it can include (a) employees employed before March 31, 1997 who remained in Tier 1, (b) employees first employed after March 30, 1997 and before the effective date of the bill who elect to become Tier 1 members under a new provision, and (c) employees first employed on or after the bill’s effective date (subject to the new statutory scheme).
    • Confirms “Tier 2” as the 401(k)-style plan established under federal tax rules (26 USC 401) for qualified participants.
  • Amends membership language (section 13) to:
    • Identify which employees are required or excluded from SERS membership.
    • Provide that certain employees hired between March 31, 1997 and the bill’s effective date may become Tier 1 members if they elect to do so (details implemented via added sections described below).
    • Clarify return-to-work/retirant treatment and other membership technicalities.
  • Adds statutory sections (19k and 50b):
    • These added sections (text not fully shown in the provided excerpt) implement the mechanics for electing into Tier 1, purchase/crediting of service, and related administrative rules.
  • Technical edits throughout to align prior cross‑references and membership rules with the new opt‑in framework.

Who is affected

  • State employees covered by SERS (classified and unclassified employees of the executive branch, certain appointed officials, and some legislative/judicial employees).
  • Individuals hired before March 31, 1997 (current Tier 1 members) are retained in Tier 1.
  • Employees hired on/after March 31, 1997 who previously could only join Tier 2 may be eligible to elect Tier 1 membership depending on hire date and the bill’s election rules.
  • Retirants who return to work and employees covered by other state retirement systems are addressed in the membership provisions.

Administrative, fiscal, and legal implications

  • Reopening or expanding DB plan participation will likely increase SERS’ long‑term pension liabilities and affect actuarial valuations, employer contribution rates, and the state’s fiscal planning. The bill does not itself display cost estimates in the excerpts provided.
  • Implementation will require administrative actions by the Office of Retirement Services, the retirement board, and likely the Department of Technology, Management & Budget (for election mechanics and recordkeeping).
  • The bill adds new statutory authority (sections 19k and 50b) to define election windows, service‑credit purchase rules, and other operational details; those provisions are central to determining ultimate cost and member effects.
  • The substitute text in these materials is partial/truncated; further review of the full enacted language (including sections 19k and 50b) and any fiscal analyses will be necessary to assess precise costs, election deadlines, spouse consent rules, irrevocability, IRS qualification risk, and service‑credit limitations.

Procedural timeline / next steps

  • Substitute (H‑1) adopted by the House (12/13/2024); placed on third reading.
  • Referred to the Joint Committee on General Law on 1/22/2025.
  • If passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, an effective date will be specified in the enacted bill.

Notes and caveats

  • The provided substitute text is partial; the full text of newly added sections 19k and 50b (which likely contain key opt‑in mechanics) was not included in the excerpts. The committee report on related bills indicates the bill’s intent is similar to a companion public‑school employees’ bill (HB 6060), which contains more detailed election and service‑credit provisions — readers should consult the full HB 6061 text and any fiscal/legal analyses for specifics.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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