FL S0442

Simplifies the definition of "special risk member" in the Florida Retirement System to reference criteria in section 121.0515 instead of listing multiple effective dates and categories.

Reorganizes special risk membership criteria into lettered subsections (a) through (j) covering law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, probation officers, healthcare workers, youth custody officers, forensic specialists, and crime laboratory employees.

Adds new special risk membership category effective July 1, 2011, for employees of public acute care hospitals serving trauma patients, those with deadly or crippling infectious diseases, convicted violent criminals, or those exposed to hazardous materials or extremely toxic substances.

Provides legislative findings that extending special risk membership to hospital employees serves an important state interest and ensures benefits are fair, adequate, and actuarially sound as required by the State Constitution and Florida law.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.