SB 39: Fire and Police Pension Association Disability and Survivor Benefits

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The fire and police pension association (association) provides disability retirement and survivor benefits (disability and survivor benefits) for eligible members of the association (members) who become disabled or die. The act recodifies and reorganizes the disability and survivor benefits statutes, removes outdated provisions, and clarifies ambiguous language. In addition, the act makes the following modifications to the disability and survivor benefits statutes:Removes the current requirement that the association require every member who applies for disability retirement benefits to have 3 independent medical exams and instead authorizes the board of the association (board) to appoint a medical advisor to assess the needs of each applicant for disability retirement benefits;Authorizes the board to adopt rules to streamline the appeal process for disability retirement benefit applicants who are denied benefits;Allows the association to require a member who is occupationally disabled to participate in a rehabilitation and retraining program to help the member gain additional skills and knowledge so the member can earn a wage doing a job other than being a police officer or firefighter;Clarifies that a member who is a total disability retirement benefit recipient will begin receiving a cost of living adjustment when the member starts receiving a total disability retirement benefit;Clarifies eligibility for a member to apply for disability retirement benefits; Repeals the statute that makes an employer liable for the payment of disability retirement benefits if a member's disability existed at the commencement of employment, the employment was not ordered by a court, and the employer failed to require the member to complete and file a health history form prior to commencing employment; andRequires members to fill out a health history form, which notifies the association of any preexisting health conditions, prior to employment.     The act does not change the amounts of disability retirement and survivor benefits or the length of time a member must be employed to be eligible for a benefit, nor does it require additional money from the state, employers, or members.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 38 · Republican 7

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 6, 2026Governor Signed
2. March 27, 2026Sent to the Governor
3. March 26, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
4. March 26, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
5. March 24, 2026Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. March 23, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. March 20, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
8. March 17, 2026House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
9. March 12, 2026House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
10. February 11, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance
11. February 10, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
12. February 9, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

Showing 12 most recent of 15 actions. Full history