House approves bill that would equalize pension and disability benefits for police and firefighters

STATEHOUSE – Members of the Indiana House of Representatives today (Tues., Jan. 27) unanimously approved legislation authored by State Rep. Karlee Macer (D-Indianapolis) that modifies the 1977 police officers’ and firefighters’ pension and disability fund to include police officers in sections that may logically apply to police officers in addition to firefighters.

House Bill 1150 codifies the Indiana Public Retirement System’s existing practices.

“Several passages of the Indiana Code relating to the 1977 Fund reference firefighters but omit police officers,” said Macer. “Even so, the INPRS administers the 1977 Fund as though police officers are already referenced in the current Code. This legislation will systematically align the Code with procedures that are presently in place.”

The affected provisions concern prior service credit, members previously covered by the Public Employee Retirement Fund and age limitation exception requirements.

Rep. Macer partnered on the bill with co-authors State Reps. Woody Burton (R-Whiteland), Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), and David Ober (R-Albion).

House Bill 1150 passed 96-0 and will now move to the Indiana Senate for consideration.