Georgia-2011-SB242-Introduced

To amend Code Section 47-17-81 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility for disability benefits under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, periodic examinations, termination of disability benefits, application, hearings, powers of hearing officer, and appeal, so as to provide that a member of such fund disabled by an injury incurred in the line of duty shall be entitled to a disability benefit under certain conditions; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

Code Section 47-17-81 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility for disability benefits under the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, periodic examinations, termination of disability benefits, application, hearings, powers of hearing officer, and appeal, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows:

"(a)(1) Any dues-paying member who became a member prior to July 1, 1993, who is rendered totally and permanently disabled by disease or injury so as to be unable to perform substantially all of the duties of the position to which the member was regularly assigned when the disability originated or so as to be unable to engage in any occupation or gainful employment for which the member is reasonably suited by virtue of the member's background, training, education, and experience shall be entitled to disability benefits of $257.00 per month for life or until the member's disability ceases, provided that the member makes application to the board for disability benefits within 12 months of becoming totally and permanently disabled.

(2) Any dues-paying member who is rendered totally and permanently disabled by injury incurred in the line of duty so as to be unable to perform substantially all of the duties of the position to which the member was regularly assigned when the disability originated shall be entitled to disability benefits of $500.00 per month for life or until the member's disability ceases, provided that the member makes application to the board for disability benefits within 12 months of becoming totally and permanently disabled."

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2012, only if it is determined to have been concurrently funded as provided in Chapter 20 of Title 47 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the "Public Retirement Systems Standards Law"; otherwise, this Act shall not become effective and shall be automatically repealed in its entirety on July 1, 2012, as required by subsection (a) of Code Section 47-20-50.