Aims to make it easier for Louisiana State Police employees to enhance their retirement benefits by purchasing credit for prior out-of-state law enforcement service. By reducing the service requirement to 6 months and removing the membership start date restriction, the bill expands eligibility, allowing more officers—especially newer hires—to boost their pensionable service time. The funding remains employee-driven, with employers covering any residual costs, ensuring minimal immediate fiscal impact on the state. Proposes amendments to R.S. 11:1305(D)(2) to modify eligibility criteria for purchasing service credit in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS) for out-of-state full-time law enforcement service.

1. Amendment to Service Credit Purchase Eligibility (Section 1, R.S. 11:1305(D)(2)):

• Current Law: Members of the SPRS who began membership on or before June 30, 2008, and have at least 10 years of service credit can purchase credit for prior full-time law enforcement service with federal, state, or local agencies outside Louisiana, provided that service isn’t creditable in another public retirement system. The purchase requires paying the full actuarial cost as determined by the system’s actuary.
• Proposed Changes:
• Reduced Service Requirement: Lowers the minimum SPRS service credit needed to qualify from 10 years to 6 months.
• Membership Date Removal: Eliminates the requirement that membership must have started on or before June 30, 2008, broadening eligibility to all current and future members with at least 6 months of service.
• Process:
• Members must apply to the SPRS board, providing details of prior employment and retirement systems involved.
• Certification from the prior employer or retirement system is required to confirm the service isn’t already credited elsewhere.
• Payment can be made in a lump sum or via installments over a period not exceeding 36 months, as approved by the board.

1. Funding Mechanism (Section 2):

• Costs of purchasing service credit are primarily covered by the employee’s payments (lump sum or installments).
• Any additional costs (e.g., actuarial miscalculations or administrative expenses) will be funded through additional employer contributions, per Article X, Section 29(F) of the Louisiana Constitution.

1. Effective Date (Section 3):

• The Act takes effect upon the governor’s signature, or if unsigned, upon the constitutional deadline for bills to become law without signature. If vetoed and overridden, it becomes effective the day after legislative approval.

SENATE committee amendments technical except for designating the chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, or designee, to serve on the council instead of a member of the Senate appointed by the Senate president.

Proposes changes to the Empowering Families to Live Well Louisiana Council within the Department of Children and Family Services. The bill aims to streamline the council by reducing its membership and decreasing the required meeting frequency from at least six times per year to once each quarter. Additionally, it extends the deadline for submitting the council's implementation plan to the Senate and House Committees on Health and Welfare from June 30, 2019, to June 30, 2026.