AK HB37

Amends AS 39.35.330 to allow peace officers and firefighters on unpaid leave due to work-related injury or occupational illness receiving workers' compensation benefits to accrue credited service without personal charge.

Entitlement to credited service ends when the officer or firefighter becomes eligible for retirement benefits under AS 39.35.370(a) or 39.35.410(a).

Adds AS 39.35.750(f) requiring the state to make defined contribution plan contributions for eligible peace officers and firefighters regardless of employment status, calculating compensation as employer-paid wages plus spendable weekly wages under workers' compensation.

Creates new AS 39.35.974 allowing peace officers and firefighters on unpaid leave due to work-related injury or illness to accrue membership service for benefit eligibility purposes, ending when eligible to retire under AS 39.35.870(a) or receive benefits under AS 39.35.890(a).

Applies retroactively to credited service for leaves of absence beginning on or after the Act's effective date.