SB89 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

State employees' retirement, to classify a K9 officer as a state police officer, to provide for retroactive effect, Sec. 36-27-1 am'd.

Summary

SB89 would classify Department of Corrections K9 officers as state police officers for retirement benefits, with retroactive effect for those who retired on or after January 1, 2022.

What This Bill Does

Currently, a K9 officer with the Department of Corrections is not considered a state police officer for retirement benefits, and state police officers receive larger benefits. The bill would classify a K9 officer as a state police officer for retirement purposes. It applies to K9 officers who retired on or after January 1, 2022, potentially increasing their retirement benefits to match those of state police officers. The change is intended to be retroactive to the date specified (January 1, 2022).

Who It Affects

• Department of Corrections K9 officers (active and those who retired on or after January 1, 2022) who perform K9 duties and would be treated as state police officers for retirement purposes.
• The state retirement system and participating state employers, which would apply the higher state police retirement benefits to the affected K9 officers.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 36-27-1 to include Department of Corrections K9 officers who perform K9 duties in the definition of 'State Policeman' for retirement purposes.
• Provides retroactive effect for retirees who retired on or after January 1, 2022.
• Explicitly expands the meaning of 'State Policeman' to include a DOC employee performing K9 duties.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Police Officers