2019 SB 5 and 2019 AB 5 – County Jailer Classification Bill(s)

Bill(s)

2019 SB 5 and 2019 AB 5 make the following changes to the county jailer classification under the Wisconsin Retirement System:

• Classifies county jailers as protective occupation participants under the Wisconsin Retirement System without a requirement that their principal duties involve active law enforcement.
• Provides that county jailers who are employed by a county that did not classify county jailers as protective occupation participants on July 1, 2018 and become protective occupation participants under this bill, are required to pay all employer costs resulting from their classification as a protective occupation participant, including the cost of the duty disability program.
• Provides that county jailers who were classified as protective occupation participants before the bill’s effective date and county jailers hired on or after the bill’s effective date in counties that classified county jailers as protective occupation participants on July 1, 2018 are not required to pay the additional employer costs.
• Permits a county jailer to elect (irrevocable) at the time of hire not to become a protective occupation participant.

Amends the Municipal Employment Relations Act regarding county jailers.

Sponsors

2019 SB 5 was introduced by Sen. Marklein and referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. 2019 AB 5 was introduced by Rep. Born and referred to the Committee on Corrections.

Status

On March 19, 2019, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on 2019 SB 5. Also, on March 19, 2019, the Assembly Committee on Corrections held a public hearing on 2019 SB 5. 

At this time, neither committee has taken executive action on the bill.

Other

Please contact Tarna Hunter, ETF’s Government Relations Director, if you have any questions.