2024 -- S 2317

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SHERIFFS

     Introduced By: Senators F. Lombardi, Ciccone, Felag, Britto, LaMountain, Burke, and
McKenney

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-29 of the General Laws entitled "Sheriffs" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following section:

     42-29-33. Recall of retired sheriffs and related personnel for emergency service.

     (a) Recognizing the current scarcity in qualified applicants and trained personnel to serve

in the roles of sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and other necessary classifications established pursuant to

the provisions of this chapter, any former sheriff, deputy sheriff, state trooper, or police officer,

who has retired from that position pursuant to the relevant provisions of title 36 ("public officers

and employees") or title 45 ("towns and cities"), may be recalled into service as a sheriff or deputy

sheriff, or other necessary classification established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Such

recall shall be voluntary on the part of the individual retiree. Any retirees recalled pursuant to the

provisions of this section shall be eligible to serve without any reduction in their pension benefit

during the period of this service. This time of service may be on a full-time or part-time basis.

     (b) As used in this section, "police officer" means and includes any chief or other member

of the police department of any city or town regularly employed at a fixed salary or wage and any

deputy sheriff, member of the fugitive task force, or capitol police officer, permanent

environmental police officer or criminal investigator of the department of environmental

management, or airport police officer.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SHERIFFS

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     This act would allow retired sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, state troopers, and police officers

who have retired from that position to be recalled into service as a sheriff or deputy sheriff without

any reduction in their pension benefit.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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