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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lori Goss-Reaves

HB 1207 ensures surviving spouses and children of state police officers killed in duty receive benefits, regardless of the officer's retirement status at death.

Authored by Representative Goss-Reaves

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Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1207 (HB 1207) aims to make technical corrections and clarify language related to the administration of benefits under the State Police Retirement System in Arkansas. The bill seeks to ensure that survivors of state police officers killed in the line of duty receive appropriate benefits, regardless of the officer's membership status in the retirement system at the time of death.

Key Provisions

HB 1207 includes several significant amendments to existing Arkansas Code regarding the State Police Retirement System:

Survivors' Benefits:

Eligibility: The bill clarifies that surviving spouses and children of state police officers killed in the line of duty are eligible for benefits even if the officer was not a member of the retirement system at the time of death or had not completed the necessary probationary period.
Benefit Structure: Surviving spouses can apply for benefits for themselves and their unmarried children under 18 years of age, or under 23 years if enrolled in higher education.
Termination of Benefits: Benefits for the surviving spouse will terminate upon remarriage or death.

Voluntary Retirement:

Adjustments to the language regarding voluntary retirement for Tier 1 noncontributory members, specifying that upon retirement, members will receive a pension as outlined in the relevant sections of the code.

Redetermined Amount Calculation:

The bill repeals certain provisions related to the calculation of benefits under the Tier Two Benefit Plan, specifically those that reference the consumer price index for adjustments.

Court Levies on Benefits:

Clarifies exceptions to the prohibition against subjecting annuity rights to legal processes, allowing for claims arising from embezzlement or fraud, and enabling courts to order benefits to be paid into their registry if a retirant fails to support minor dependent children as mandated by court order.

Affected Parties

Surviving Spouses and Children: The primary beneficiaries of the bill are the surviving spouses and children of state police officers who are killed in the line of duty.

State Police Officers: Current and future officers may also be indirectly affected by the clarifications and adjustments made to the retirement system.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: January 23, 2025

Passed: The bill was read and passed multiple times in both the House and Senate, with the final actions occurring on February 20, 2025, when it was notified as Act 127.

Enrolled: The bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on February 18, 2025.

Conclusion

HB 1207 serves to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the State Police Retirement System by ensuring that survivors of officers killed in the line of duty receive the benefits they are entitled to, while also streamlining certain administrative processes within the retirement system. The bill reflects a commitment to support the families of those who serve in law enforcement.

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