0
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act
3/9/2024, 8:15 AM
Summary of Bill HR 1322
Specifically, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act would increase the availability of premium pay for federal law enforcement officers who work in high-risk or dangerous situations. This would ensure that these officers are fairly compensated for the risks they face on a daily basis.
Additionally, the bill would provide federal law enforcement officers with access to the same retirement benefits as other federal employees, ensuring that they are not disadvantaged in terms of their long-term financial security. Overall, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act aims to recognize the important and often dangerous work that federal law enforcement officers do, and to ensure that they are fairly compensated for their service. By addressing disparities in pay and benefits, the bill seeks to support and retain these dedicated public servants.
Congressional Summary of HR 1322
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act
This bill expands the definition of law enforcement officer under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS).
Specifically, the bill expands the definition to include (1) federal employees whose duties encompass the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted criminals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; (2) Internal Revenue Service employees whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns; (3) U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees; (4) Department of Veterans Affairs police officers; and (5) certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are seized-property specialists with duties relating to custody, management, and disposition of seized and forfeited property.
The bill deems service performed by an incumbent law enforcement officer on or after the enactment date of this bill to be service performed as a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes. The past service of such incumbents shall be treated as service performed by a law enforcement officer for retirement purposes only if a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after the enactment of this bill or before separation from government service, whichever is earlier. An incumbent who makes an election before the enactment of this bill may pay a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover prior service.
A law enforcement officer shall not be subject to mandatory separation during the three-year period beginning on the enactment of this bill.
