HB 1263 Summary

• Local elected officials may be suspended from office if charged with eligible felonies (any felony, election-related felonies, or traffic felonies) or misdemeanors involving breach of peace committed during official duties, upon two-thirds legislative body vote finding the offense relevant to suitability for office and suspension in the unit's best interests.

• Suspended officials lose salary and remuneration but retain health benefits during suspension; suspension ends upon conviction, acquittal, dropped charges, or term expiration.

• Officials acquitted or having charges dropped are automatically reinstated with full back pay; those convicted of lesser offenses than charged may be reinstated and awarded partial or full back pay at legislative discretion.

• Convicted officials are removed from office in accordance with existing removal statutes.

• Local elected officials who knowingly or intentionally fail to perform duties for 10 or more days in any calendar month (without valid leave or official business travel) commit dereliction of duty, a Class D felony.