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SB 865

Relating to best interests of child standard

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Laura Chapman and 1 co-sponsor

Forest Heights officers may elect LEOPS membership; those on the effective date receive 50% of prior Forest Heights service credit, with irrevocable vote and no retroactive credit.

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Bill Summary · SB 865

Summary — SB 865: Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System — Forest Heights Police Department — Membership

Status: Introduced (Jan 2025); assigned to Budget & Taxation; hearing canceled.
Sponsor (bill text): Senator Muse. Effective date in bill: June 1, 2025 (if enacted).

Purpose

To authorize Forest Heights Police Department law enforcement employees to join the Maryland Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System (LEOPS) and to define how prior local service is credited for those who elect membership on the effective date.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new §31–2A–08 to the State Personnel and Pensions Article creating special rules for Forest Heights Police Department employees.
  • Membership option:
    • Participation in LEOPS for Forest Heights officers is optional in accordance with the one‑time election rules of §26–202(b). Elections must be filed in writing with the State Retirement Agency on the prescribed form.
    • An election to join is irrevocable under §26–202(b)(3).
  • Prior service credit for employees employed on the effective date:
    • An employee of the Forest Heights Police Department who (a) elects LEOPS membership under §26–202(b) and (b) is employed by Forest Heights on the effective date will receive eligibility service and creditable service equal to 50% of their period of employment with Forest Heights prior to the effective date.
    • The amount of pre-effective service credited is subject to certification by the Forest Heights Police Department as of the effective date.
  • No retroactive credit for later joiners:
    • Any employee or former employee who becomes a LEOPS member after the effective date may not receive service credit for employment with Forest Heights that occurred before the effective date.
  • Technical change to §31–2A–04 to exempt Forest Heights employees from its general full‑credit provision and refer to the new §31–2A–08.

Who is affected

  • Current and former law enforcement officers employed by the Forest Heights Police Department.
  • The State Retirement Agency (administration of elections and crediting).
  • Forest Heights municipal administration (certification of prior service and potential employer pension obligations).

Timing and procedure

  • Effective date specified in the bill: June 1, 2025 (if enacted as written).
  • Employees must make the one‑time, written election according to §26–202(b) to obtain membership and any partial prior‑service credit.
  • The bill was assigned to Budget & Taxation and a hearing was recorded as canceled.

Potential impacts (practical considerations)

  • Employees employed on the effective date who elect membership gain LEOPS coverage and partial (50%) credit for prior Forest Heights service, which may improve retirement eligibility and benefit accruals relative to remaining in or outside local plans.
  • Municipal fiscal impact: the text does not include a fiscal note; however, municipal and State actuarial and contribution implications could arise from new members and credited service (changes to employer/employee contribution liabilities and long‑term pension costs).

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

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