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HB 7255

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Grace Diaz and 5 co-sponsors

Expands the Rhode Island Retirement System to include two new correctional positions and allows combined service credits across systems, boosting eligibility and benefits.

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7255

Overview

  • Bill: HB 7255
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RETIREMENT SYSTEM -- CONTRIBUTIONS AND BENEFITS
  • Introduced: January 21, 2026
  • Sponsor: Representatives Diaz, Giraldo, Slater, Quattrocchi, Hull, J. Lombardi (co-sponsors: Quattrocchi, Slater, Diaz, Giraldo, Hull, Lombardi)
  • Referred to: House Finance
  • Effective date: Upon passage

Purpose and intent

  • The bill adds two positions to the Rhode Island state retirement system: Administrator of Community Confinement and Home Confinement Coordinator.
  • It updates retirement eligibility and benefit provisions for correctional employees and clarifies cross-service retirement options.

Key provisions and changes

New retirement system eligibility for specified corrections positions

  • Applies to members employed in the following Department of Corrections roles:
    • Assistant Director (Adult Services)
    • Assistant Deputy Director
    • Chief of Inspection
    • Associate Directors
    • Correctional Officer
    • Chief of Security
    • Administrator of Community Confinement
    • Home Confinement Coordinator
    • Work Rehabilitation Program Supervisor
    • Supervisor of Custodial Records and Reports
    • Classification Counselor

Retirement eligibility and age/service requirements (illustrative)

  • For members who attained age 50 and have at least 20 years of total service, retirement is allowed for certain historical conditions (retire dates before Oct 1, 2009 or eligibility as of Sept 30, 2009).
  • For those eligible on or after Oct 1, 2009:
    • Retirement age 55 with at least 25 years of total contributory service within the Department of Corrections.
  • Transitional rules (for those active as of Sept 30, 2009 but eligible to retire by June 30, 2012):
    • The minimum retirement age of 55 can be reduced proportionally based on service as of Sept 30, 2009, using a specific proportional formula.
  • Post-2012 contributory service:
    • If a member has at least 5 years of contributory service but fewer than 25 years, retirement is available at Social Security retirement age, or, starting July 1, 2015, upon meeting the “earlier of” certain age-and-service thresholds (65/30, 64/31, 63/32, 62/33 respectively) or retirement eligibility date under prior rule.
  • Combined service option (elective):
    • Members with service credit under both this section and other Rhode Island retirement provisions (e.g., state employee or teacher service) can elect to combine service for a single retirement eligibility date and receive a single combined benefit, calculated as:
    • Accrued benefit under § 36-10-10.2 plus accrued benefit under § 36-10-10 and/or § 16-16-13.
    • This election applies prospectively from the date the retirement board receives the request, for those who have already retired under the service retirement allowance since July 1, 2012.

Administrative notes

  • The act stipulates the two aforementioned positions (Administrator of Community Confinement and Home Confinement Coordinator) would be included in the state retirement system.
  • The act clarifies how combined service would be treated for retirement eligibility and benefits.

Applicability and affected population

  • Affects correctional department employees listed in the statute (as above), including both current and future employees in those roles.
  • Potentially relevant to retirees or current employees seeking to consolidate service credit across multiple retirement systems.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The act would take effect upon passage.
  • It has a scheduled hearing/consideration date: May 12, 2026 (per action history).
  • It follows customary legislative process: introduction, referral to House Finance, potential committee discussion, and then floor consideration.

Potential impacts

  • Adds two new positions to the Rhode Island Retirement System, expanding the pool of active members contributing to and eligible for benefits.
  • Creates a mechanism for combining multiple service credits across different retirement systems, potentially increasing retirement benefits for some members who have diversified service.
  • May affect actuarial costs and funding needs for the Retirement System due to expanded eligibility and potential higher lifetime benefits.

If you’d like, I can provide a one-page explainer for non-expert readers or a line-by-line redline-style comparison showing what changes this bill would make relative to current law.

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

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