CO HB1127

Allows Boards of Cooperative Services (BOCES) to hire retired special services providers (speech language pathologists, school psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, audiologists, teachers for visually impaired/hard of hearing, early childhood education teachers) to work without reduction in retirement benefits.

Applies only when BOCES hire retirees to provide services in two or more rural school districts, determine there is a critical shortage of qualified providers, and the retiree has specific relevant experience and skills.

Limits total employment under this provision to 40 retired special service providers across all BOCES, with maximum employment period of 5 consecutive years per individual retiree.

Requires BOCES to pay full employer contributions, working retiree contributions, and an additional 2 percent monthly payment to the Public Employees' Retirement Association on retiree salaries.

Sunsets the program on July 1, 2025, with a report to the legislature by December 1, 2023 on the number of retirees employed, whether it addressed provider shortages, and costs to the retirement association.