SB213 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Employees' Retirement System, Teachers' Retirement System, or Judicial Retirement Fund, certain active or retired members, forfeiture of employer-paid portion and interest thereon of retirement benefits upon conviction of certain felony offenses, immunity from civil or criminal liability for retirement systems officers and employees for certain actions taken (2012-20156)

Summary

SB213 changes retirement benefits for certain public employees by allowing forfeiture or suspension of benefits and refunds of contributions for felony offenses tied to public service, and it provides immunity for retirement system officials.

What This Bill Does

For active or inactive members with an accrued retirement benefit, and for retired members, the bill says that if a felony offense related to their public position occurs and the person pleads guilty, pleads no contest, or is finally convicted, they may lose all or part of their retirement benefits and may be refunded their contributions plus interest. Active or inactive members with an accrued benefit would forfeit retirement benefits upon such a guilty plea or conviction, and would be entitled to a refund of their retirement contributions plus interest. Retired members would have their benefits suspended, and may receive a refund of remaining contributions and interest if their benefits already received do not exceed their contributions plus interest. Officers and employees of the Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, and the Judicial Retirement Fund are immune from civil or criminal liability for actions taken under this act, and the act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Members of the Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement Fund (active, inactive with an accrued benefit, or retired) who have a felony conviction related to their public position, and the corresponding refunds or suspension of benefits that would apply.
• Group 2: Officers and employees of the Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, and the Judicial Retirement Fund, who would be immune from civil or criminal liability for actions taken under this act.

Key Provisions

• Active/inactive members with accrued benefits: forfeiture of retirement benefits upon guilty plea, plea of no contest, or final felony conviction related to service, as declared by the presiding judge in the appropriate court, with a refund of retirement contributions plus interest.
• Retired members receiving benefits: suspension of benefits upon such plea/conviction; if benefits already received do not exceed contributions plus interest, a refund of the remaining contributions plus interest.
• Immunity: officers and employees of the retirement systems are immune from civil or criminal liability for actions taken pursuant to this act.
• Effective date and severability: the act becomes effective immediately after governor’s approval; provisions are severable so if part is invalid, the rest remains in effect.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Employees' Retirement System