AR SB4

Beginning January 1, 2022, the board may add an additional amount to employer contributions to account for the cost of providing disability benefits for each employee.

Repeals Arkansas Code § 24-10-503 concerning temporary disability credits for members with non-permanent work-related injuries or diseases.

Repeals provisions defining "disease" and "cancer" in disability retirement eligibility and replaces them with new definitions including leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, and specific organ cancers, plus cancers with higher occurrence rates in firefighters upon carcinogen exposure.

Establishes three categories of disability retirement (catastrophic, hazardous, and ordinary duty) effective April 1, 2021, with varying benefit levels ranging from 15% to 65% of final average pay or actuarial equivalent.

Requires members hired on or after July 1, 2013, to accrue 10 years of actual service to be eligible for disability retirement, and mandates forfeiture of disability annuity if retirant becomes employed as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, first responder, or emergency medical services provider.