Bill
HB 25-1150
HB 25-1150 requires sex offenders in PERA to forfeit retirement benefits, redirecting funds to support survivors of sexual assault through a new grant program.
House Bill 25-1150 was introduced on January 29, 2025, by Representative Weinberg. The bill aimed to require members or retirees of the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) who are convicted of certain sex offenses to forfeit their retirement benefits. The forfeited benefits would be redirected to a newly established fund to support survivors of sexual assault.
Forfeiture Requirement: Effective January 1, 2026, any PERA member or retiree convicted of a sex crime (after exhausting all appeals) would lose their retirement benefits. This includes the option to receive refunds of member contributions or matching employer contributions.
Court Proceedings: The bill mandates that district courts must provide adequate notice and hold hearings to ensure that convicted members have a fair opportunity to defend their entitlement to benefits. Courts must also consider claims from spouses or former spouses regarding entitlement to benefits.
Creation of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Cash Fund: Forfeited benefits would be transferred to this fund, which would be used to support a grant program administered by the Department of Corrections. This program would provide financial assistance to survivors of sexual crimes for medical and mental health resources.
Judicial Oversight: The district court must issue a forfeiture order directing PERA to transfer the appropriate amount to the Sexual Assault Survivors' Cash Fund.
PERA Members and Retirees: Those convicted of specified sex offenses would be directly impacted by the forfeiture of their retirement benefits.
Survivors of Sexual Assault: The bill aims to provide financial support to survivors through the Sexual Assault Survivors' Grant Program.
State Revenue: The bill could potentially increase state revenue to the Sexual Assault Survivors' Cash Fund, although the exact amount is indeterminate and would depend on future criminal convictions and court proceedings. Initial estimates suggest at least $150,000 in the first year and $125,000 in subsequent years.
State Expenditures: The Department of Corrections would incur costs to establish and administer the grant program, estimated at $150,000 for the first year and $125,000 ongoing. The Judicial Department may also see a minimal increase in civil filings related to forfeiture proceedings.
Effective Date: The bill would take effect 90 days after the adjournment of the General Assembly, assuming no referendum petition is filed.
Legislative Status: As of February 24, 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely by the House Committee on Finance, meaning it will not proceed further in the legislative process.
HB 25-1150 sought to address the issue of retirement benefits for convicted sex offenders by establishing a forfeiture mechanism that would redirect funds to support survivors of sexual assault. While the bill proposed significant changes to the handling of PERA benefits, its indefinite postponement means that these provisions will not be enacted at this time.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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