CCS/SCS/HCS/HB 397 and HCS/HB 947 - This act modifies provisions related to the Police Retirement System of St. Louis with regard to retirement based on disability and reserve officers and related to benefits for certain members and surviving spouses of the Police Retirement System of Kansas City. POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF ST. LOUIS
The act defines a "reserve officer" as any member of the police reserve force, armed or unarmed, who works less than full time without compensation and who, by his or her assigned function or as implied by his or her uniform, performs duties associated with those of a police officer and who currently receives retirement benefits.
A reserve officer shall not be considered a member of the police retirement system for the purpose of determining creditable service, nor shall any contributions be due. A reserve officer shall not be entitled to any benefits other than those awarded upon his or her original retirement. Service as a reserve officer shall not prohibit distribution of such benefits.
The medical board that arranges for required disability-related medical examinations is eliminated and is replaced by a medical director who appoints doctors to investigate the physical and mental conditions of applicants for disability retirement. The medical director reports to the board of trustees of the police retirement system.
Any member in service who has ten years of creditable service and who has become permanently unable to perform the duties of a police officer as the result of an injury or illness not exclusively caused by their duties as a police officer shall be retired upon certification of the medical director and approval of the board of trustees.
Members who are permanently disabled exclusively as a result of an accident occurring within the actual performance of duty at some definite time and place shall upon application be retired upon certification of the medical director and approval of the board of trustees. These members must apply for disability within five years of the accident, unless the accident was reported within five years and the member was examined by a health care provider provided by the board of police commissioners within thirty days of the accident.
Disability retirees under the age of sixty may be required to submit to a medical examination yearly for the first five years following their retirement and at least once every three years thereafter. If the retiree refuses to submit to a medical examination their disability pension may be discontinued. If the retiree refuses for one year, then their pension may be revoked.
If the medical director certifies to the board of trustees that the disability retiree is able to perform the duties of a police officer and the board agrees, the pension shall end. If the officer returns to active service, then the period of time during which the officer received a disability pension shall not be included in his time of service.
POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF KANSAS CITY
If a member of the police retirement system of Kansas City who retired due to non-duty disability on or before August 28, 2009 is not receiving a base pension plus cost-of-living adjustment, excluding supplemental benefits, of at least $600 a month, the member may be appointed as a special consultant to the retirement board and will received $600 a month instead of their previous amount. The member will only receive this $600 a month until the base pension plus cost-of living adjustment is more than $600 a month.
Surviving spouses of members in service who died on or before August 28, 2009 and are not receiving a base pension plus cost-of-living adjustment, excluding supplemental benefits, of at least $600 a month, may be appointed as special consultants to the retirement board and will received $600 a month instead of their previous amount. The surviving spouse will only receive this $600 a month until the base pension plus cost-of living adjustment is more than $600 a month.
This act contains an emergency clause with regard to the surviving spouses appointed as special consultants.
This act is similar to SB 565 (2009) and SCS/SB 563 (2009).
EMILY KALMER