SB 298 - This act revises portions of the Kansas City Police Retirement System and the Kansas City Police Department Civilian Employees' Retirement System.

KANSAS CITY POLICE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Time in which a member is suspended without pay does not count when determining final compensation and service credit. This act removes the 2-year marriage requirement.

This act makes various changes to disability benefits. The Board of police commissioners must determine eligibility in the KC Police Retirement System. The pension ceases when the member is no longer totally and permanently incapacitated for duty disability.

Non-duty disability members must submit to periodic medical examinations until age 60 or lose benefits. If one or more medical board members certifies that the member is no longer totally and permanently disabled and the retirement board agrees, the pension ceases.

The duty death benefit is increased to $50,000. Payments would no longer be terminated if the surviving spouse dies or remarries before all payments are made.

A terminated member may opt to elect lump-sum return of contributions in lieu of any other benefits.

KANSAS CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. There are similar provisions governing suspensions without pay. The normal pension (2% of final compensation times years of service) applies without reduction for spousal benefits. The age 60 requirement for non- duty disability benefits is removed. Supplemental retirement health insurance benefits applies to all retired civilians and surviving spouses.

This act allows the Board of Trustees or Kansas City to go to court to determine if there will be a Hancock problem (new or increased activity or service) with this act. If there is a Hancock problem, the act is void from the beginning.

MARGARET J. TOALSON