HB 1018

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL BE TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM IF THE MEMBER IS CONVICTED OF OR PLEADS GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO A FELONY THAT IS RELATED TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEMBER'S EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE SERVICE AND THAT IS COMMITTED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2026; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER WHO IS CHARGED WITH SUCH CRIME WHO RETIRES AND RECEIVES A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH THE CRIME SHALL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE MEMBER IS CONVICTED OF OR PLEADS GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO THE CRIME, AT WHICH TIME THE MEMBER'S RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE SHALL BE TERMINATED; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE REFUND WITHOUT INTEREST OF THE ACCUMULATED CONTRIBUTIONS OF A MEMBER WHO IS CONVICTED OF SUCH CRIME; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-15-3 AND 25-15-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, AND WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE BUT IS TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE MEMBER'S CONVICTION OF OR PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO SUCH CRIME, IS ELIGIBLE TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AND COVERAGES FOR RETIRED EMPLOYEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.