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A 5160

Requires diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias training for certain medical personnel as part of continuing medical education requirements

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 2 co-sponsors

The bill unifies PERS Tier 1 benefits for all current non-retired members, expands enrollment eligibility, and allows automatic transfer of DCRP participants into PERS.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 5160

Legislative Bill A 5160 – Summary

Overview

Bill A 5160, introduced January 14, 2025 and referred to the Higher Education Committee, would reorganize the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) membership structure and expand enrollment eligibility. It directs all current non-retired PERS members into the Tier 1 benefits category and provides new pathways for certain public employees and Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) participants. The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Key Provisions

  • Unification of PERS membership (Tier 1): All current, non-retired PERS members would be entitled to the same benefits as Tier 1 members. Any future retirees who apply after the act’s effective date would receive Tier 1-like benefits.

  • Expanded enrollment eligibility: Public-employee workers who earn above the minimum salary but do not meet the minimum hours eligibility criteria would be enrolled in PERS (effective upon enactment). Employers must enroll affected employees within 60 days.

  • DCRP participants transferred to PERS (automatic transfer option):

    • Participants in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program may transfer to PERS, with those who opt in receiving automatic transfer of all years of service credit from the DCRP.
    • Transferred service credit would qualify the member for retirement-related benefits (deferred, early, service, disability retirement, health benefits, etc.) under PERS, but would not count toward calculating the pension amount.
    • Prior DCRP contributions would remain in the DCRP fund and would not transfer to PERS.
    • Affected DCRP participants would receive notice within 60 days of enactment and have six months to opt out; those who opt out remain in the DCRP.

  • Disability retirement eligibility for LTDI recipients: Members currently receiving long-term disability insurance under PERS could apply for ordinary or accidental disability retirement, provided the application is filed within two calendar years following enactment.

  • Timing of benefit changes: Any changes to early, deferred, service retirement, or maximum base salary would apply only to members who begin retirement processing after enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Current non-retired PERS members (tier alignment to Tier 1)
  • Public sector employees who earn above minimum salary but miss hours eligibility
  • DCRP participants and their employers
  • Members receiving long-term disability insurance under PERS

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • Immediate effect upon enactment.
  • Employers to enroll affected employees within 60 days.
  • DCRP-to-PERS notice within 60 days; six-month opt-out window.
  • Disability retirement eligibility window: two years from enactment for LTDI recipients.
  • Changes to certain retirement benefits apply only to those who initiate retirement after enactment.

Legislative Status and Sponsorship

  • Status: Referred to Higher Education
  • Primary Sponsor: Michaelle C. Solages
  • Co-sponsors: Brian Cunningham; Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
  • Related Bills/Companion: S 3997; S 911 (companion), plus several prior-session references

This bill would significantly simplify PERS membership structure, broaden enrollment to more public employees, and introduce a mechanism to harmonize treatment of DCRP participants, all with immediate effect if enacted.

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

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