5522 AMH APP H2749.1

SB 5522  - H COMM AMD
     By Committee on Appropriations

ADOPTED 04/05/2005

     Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1   RCW 41.40.038 and 1987 c 118 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     Those members subject to this chapter who became disabled in the line of duty on or after March 27, 1984, and who received or are receiving benefits under Title 51 RCW or a similar federal workers' compensation program shall receive or continue to receive service credit subject to the following:
     (1) No member may receive more than one month's service credit in a calendar month.
     (2) No service credit under this section may be allowed after a member separates or is separated without leave of absence.
     (3) Employer contributions shall be paid by the employer at the rate in effect for the period of the service credited.
     (4) Employee contributions shall be collected by the employer and paid to the department at the rate in effect for the period of service credited.
     (5) Contributions shall be based on the regular compensation which the member would have received had the disability not occurred. If contribution payments are made retroactively, interest shall be charged at the rate set by the director on both employee and employer contributions. No service credit shall be granted until the employee contribution has been paid.
     (6) The service and compensation credit shall not be granted for a period to exceed ((twelve)) twenty-four consecutive months.
     (7) Nothing in this section shall abridge service credit rights granted in RCW 41.40.220(2) and 41.40.320.
     (8) Should the legislature revoke the service credit authorized under this section or repeal this section, no affected employee is entitled to receive the credit as a matter of contractual right."

     Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Increases the period of service credit related to an injury-caused absence that an employee may purchase service credit from twelve months to twenty-four months by amending current statute, rather than by creating a new section in PERS.

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