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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

Expands eligibility for state retirement on service allowance to probation and parole officers, aligning them with other law enforcement retirement benefits starting Jan 1, 2027.

05/14/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of Bill SB 2446 (2026) – Rhode Island

Purpose and intent

The bill, introduced February 6, 2026, seeks to modify retirement benefits for certain state employees by adding probation and parole officers to the list of state law enforcement professionals eligible for specific retirement benefits.

It addresses retirement on service allowance for designated public safety personnel and aligns the eligibility with existing benefit provisions.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Section 36-10-9.8 of the Rhode Island General Laws (Retirement System — Contributions and Benefits).

Effective Date: The changes take effect January 1, 2027.

Eligibility expansion (subsection (a)):

Adds probation and parole officers to the list of state employees deemed state law enforcement professionals for retirement purposes.
The specified positions now qualify for the benefits provided by the following statutes: §§ 45-21.2-5, 45-21.2-6, 45-21.2-10, 45-21.2-11, 45-21.2-12, and 45-21.2-13.
The current list in subsection (a) already includes deputy sheriffs, capitol police officers, environmental police officers, juvenile program workers, shift coordinators, probation and parole officers, firefighters (and related ranks/roles), and campus police officers. The bill confirms probation and parole officers are covered under the retirement on service allowance provisions.

Service credits for existing members (subsection (b)):

For members identified in subsection (a), service credits earned prior to January 1, 2025, will continue to be determined by the laws in effect on December 31, 2024. This preserves the pre-2025 rules for those credits.

Who is affected

State employees currently employed as or newly classified as probation and parole officers.

Other listed state law enforcement professionals referenced in the statute (for context and consistency of retirement benefits) remain covered under the same benefit structure.

Retirements will apply to service allowances as defined by the referenced sections of Rhode Island law.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action:

Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Schedule indicates a hearing/consideration set for May 14, 2026.

Effective date:

The substantive expansion of eligibility becomes effective January 1, 2027.

Transitional provision:

Maintains the pre-2025 treatment for service credits earned before January 1, 2025, under existing law (December 31, 2024).

Practical impact

Probation and parole officers will gain access to the state retirement on service allowance benefits consistent with other state law enforcement roles.

The bill clarifies and standardizes retirement treatment across a broader set of public safety positions.

For personnel with service credits earned before 2025, those credits will be calculated under the previous rules, ensuring continuity for those who already earned credits under older provisions.

Additional notes

The bill includes multiple sponsors and co-sponsors, signaling broad legislative support.

If you are a current or prospective probation/parole officer or a public safety employee, this could affect your retirement eligibility and benefits starting in 2027.