2008 House Bill 5944

Grant early retirement full pension to certain juvenile justice employees

Introduced in the House

April 8, 2008

Introduced by Rep. Shanelle Jackson (D-9)

To grant a full pension to some employees of the Department of Human Services juvenile justice division who will be laid off under a plan to privatize a portion of the division’s operations, even if they retire earlier than allowed under current law. Also, to increase the pension benefits of some of these employees with greater seniority or age.

Referred to the Committee on Labor

June 10, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the amendments be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 27, 2008

Amendment offered

To revise some of the dates defining the "early out" enhanced pension offer window.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Alma Smith (D-54)

To also extend the enhanced pension benefits to certain Department of Corrections employees.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Reps. Fulton Sheen (R-88) and Rick Jones (R-71)

To extend the enhanced pension benefits to all state employees. Although this passed, a subsequenct substitute removed the provision.

The substitute passed 68 to 39 (details)

Substitute offered by Rep. Fred Miller (D-31)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that removes the provisions of the Jones substitute, which extended the enhanced retirement benefits to all state government employees.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 100 to 7 (details)

To grant a full pension to some employees of the Department of Human Services juvenile justice division who will be laid off under a plan to privatize a portion of the division’s operations, even if they retire earlier than allowed under current law. Also, to increase the pension benefits of some of these employees with greater seniority or age, and also for certain Department of Corrections employees.

Received in the Senate

July 17, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations