reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19 - Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers › Section 45-19-16.1. - Presumption for heart disease and hypertension.

§ 45-19-16.1. Presumption for heart disease and hypertension.
(a)
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, any firefighter, as defined in § 45-19-1, who is unable to perform the duties required thereof because of an impairment of health caused by heart disease, stroke, or hypertension is presumed to have suffered an in-the-line-of duty injury/disability, unless the contrary can be proven by clear and convincing evidence; and the firefighter shall be entitled to all benefits provided for in chapters 19, 21, 21.2, and 21.3 of this title.
(b)
This presumption shall not apply to firefighters hired after July 1, 2023, in the following situations:
(1)
If a physical examination was conducted at the time the firefighter was hired and the examination revealed that person was suffering from heart disease or hypertension.
(2)
If the firefighter had regularly or habitually used tobacco products during the five (5) years prior to any diagnosis of heart disease or hypertension or suffering a stroke.
History of Section.
P.L. 2023, ch. 360, § 1, effective June 27, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 361, § 1, effective June 27, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19 - Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers › Section 45-19-17. - Operation of emergency vehicles — Accidents.

§ 45-19-17. Operation of emergency vehicles — Accidents.
Whenever the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in § 31-1-3, or the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle for a nonprofit volunteer organization who is operating the vehicle in compliance with § 31-12-1 et seq., is involved in an accident while responding to an order from his or her department to render emergency assistance, or returning from an emergency or en route to or from official business his or her right to operate a motor vehicle shall not be affected by reason of any civil negligence attendant upon the operation of the emergency vehicle, in the scope of their duties nor shall the rate, chargeable to the operator for liability insurance coverage for the occurrence, be increased or the coverage cancelled because of the negligence.
History of Section.
P.L. 1968, ch. 143, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 333, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 406, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19 - Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers › Section 45-19-18. - Pensions for certain police officers and fire fighters.

§ 45-19-18. Pensions for certain police officers and fire fighters.
Every police officer and fire fighter of any city or town who served the city or town for at least twenty-five (25) years, or is now or hereafter receiving a retirement allowance from a city or town retirement system after at least twenty-five (25) years’ membership in a system prior to retirement, or who was retired by a city or town retirement system because of a disability incurred as the result of an accident while in the performance of duty, may receive from the city or town an additional sum of money, assuring to the employee the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per month.
History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 97, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19 - Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers › Section 45-19-19. - City and town ordinances providing for retirement of sick or injured police officers or fire fighters.

§ 45-19-19. City and town ordinances providing for retirement of sick or injured police officers or fire fighters.
The city or town councils of the various cities and towns may provide, by ordinance or through collective bargaining, for the retirement of the personnel of their police and fire departments who have been on leave of absence from their employment due to sickness contracted or injuries sustained in the performance of their duties; provided, that no ordinance is contrary to any pension cost of living increase or escalator clause in a collective bargaining agreement, and provided, further, that no ordinance provides for a disability retirement allowance of less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (662/3%) of a retiree’s annual salary at the time of retirement nor more than one hundred percent (100%) of a retiree’s annual salary.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 189, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 245, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19.1 - Cancer Benefits for Fire Fighters › Section 45-19.1-1. - Legislative findings.

§ 45-19.1-1. Legislative findings.
(a)
The general assembly finds and declares that by reason of their employment:
(1)
Fire fighters are required to work in the midst of, and are subject to, smoke, fumes, or carcinogenic, poisonous, toxic, or chemical substances;
(2)
Fire fighters are continually exposed to a vast and expanding field of hazardous substances through hazardous waste sites and the transportation of those substances;
(3)
Fire fighters are constantly entering uncontrolled environments to save lives and reduce property damage and are frequently not aware of potential toxic and carcinogenic substances that they may be exposed to;
(4)
Fire fighters, unlike other workers, are often exposed simultaneously to multiple carcinogens, and the rise in occupational cancer among fire fighters can be related to the rapid proliferation of thousands of toxic substances in our every day environment; and
(5)
The onset of cancers in fire fighters can develop very slowly, usually manifesting themselves from five (5) years to forty (40) years after exposure to the cancer-causing agent.
(b)
The general assembly further finds and declares that all of the previously stated conditions exist and arise out of or in the course of that employment.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 68, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19.1 - Cancer Benefits for Fire Fighters › Section 45-19.1-2. - Definitions.

§ 45-19.1-2. Definitions.
The following terms when used in this chapter have the following meanings:
(a)
“Disability” means a condition of physical incapacity to perform any assigned duty or duties in the fire department.
(b)
“Fire department” means service groups (paid or volunteer) that are organized and trained for the prevention and control of loss of life and property from any fire or disaster.
(c)
“Firefighter” means an individual, paid or volunteer, who is a member of a fire department or a city, town, or fire district emergency medical services unit and is required to respond to alarms and performs emergency action.
(d)
“Occupational cancer” means a cancer arising out of the person’s employment as a firefighter, due to injury from exposures to smoke, fumes, or carcinogenic, poisonous, toxic, or chemical substances while in the performance of active duty in the fire department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 111, § 1, effective June 19, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 112, § 1, effective June 19, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19.1 - Cancer Benefits for Fire Fighters › Section 45-19.1-3. - Occupational cancer disability for fire fighters.

§ 45-19.1-3. Occupational cancer disability for fire fighters.
(a)
Any fire fighter, including one employed by the state, or a municipal fire fighter employed by a municipality that participates in the optional retirement for police officers and fire fighters, as provided in chapter 21.2 of this title, who is unable to perform his or her duties in the fire department by reason of a disabling occupational cancer which develops or manifests itself during a period while the fire fighter is in the service of the department, and any retired member of the fire department of any city or town who develops occupational cancer, is entitled to receive an occupational cancer disability, and he or she is entitled to all of the benefits provided for in chapters 19, 21 and 21.2 of this title and chapter 10 of title 36 if the fire fighter is employed by the state.
(b)
The provisions of this section apply retroactively in the case of any retired member of the fire department of any city or town.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 154, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 252, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-19.1 - Cancer Benefits for Fire Fighters › Section 45-19.1-4. - Conclusive presumption.

§ 45-19.1-4. Conclusive presumption.
(a)
Any type of cancer found in a firefighter is conclusively presumed to be an occupational cancer as that term is defined in § 45-19.1-2.
(b)
This conclusive presumption shall not apply to firefighters hired after July 22, 2020, in the following situations:
(1)
If a physical examination was conducted at the time the firefighter was hired and the examination revealed that person had cancer; or
(2)
If the firefighter has completed less than two (2) years of employment with his or her fire department; or
(3)
If the firefighter has regularly or habitually used tobacco products during the five (5) years prior to any diagnosis of cancer.
(c)
The provisions of this section shall apply retroactively to all cancer-related illnesses, injuries, and disability claims pending on or after July 22, 2020.
History of Section.
P.L. 2020, ch. 62, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 69, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-20 - Appeals from Police and Fire Departments › Section 45-20-1. - Petition for judicial review of removal of firefighter.

§ 45-20-1. Petition for judicial review of removal of firefighter.
(a)
Any firefighter or firefighters, jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the bureau of police and fire or any similar department, board or bureau of a city or town having control of the fire department of the city or town, which decision orders the removal of the person from membership in the fire department based on criminal charges, may present, to the superior court of the state of Rhode Island for the county in which the city or town is located, a verified petition stating that the decision is illegal in whole or in part and specifying the grounds of the illegality. The petition shall be presented to the court within thirty (30) days after the decision of the department, board, or bureau.
(b)
Upon the presentation of the petition, the court may allow a writ of certiorari directed to the department, board, or bureau to review its decision, and shall prescribe in the unit the time authorized which a return to the unit must be made, which shall be not less than twenty (20) days and may be extended by the court.
(c)
The allowance of the writ does not stay the effect of the decision.
History of Section.
P.L. 1948, ch. 2083, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-20-1; P.L. 1968, ch. 242, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 400, § 27, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 401, § 27, effective July 13, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-20 - Appeals from Police and Fire Departments › Section 45-20-1.1. - Petition for judicial review of disciplinary action against police officers.

§ 45-20-1.1. Petition for judicial review of disciplinary action against police officers.
(a)
Any police officer or police officers, jointly or severally, aggrieved by any decision of the bureau of police and fire, or any similar department, board, or bureau of a city or town having control of the police department, or any other duly constituted authority within the police department of the city or town, which decision orders the dismissal, reduction in rank, suspension, fine, performance of extra hours of duty, loss of seniority rights, transfer with or without a reduction in pay, or reprimand, and the decision is based on charges involving violation of departmental regulations, may appeal the decision to the superior court of the state of Rhode Island for the county in which the city or town is located; provided, that no appeal is allowed unless all administrative remedies available under the municipal charter have been exhausted; and, provided, further, that an appeal does not stay the operation of the decision. Upon appeal, the police officer or police officers are entitled to a trial de novo before a justice of the superior court without a jury.
(b)
The superior court may uphold the decision, reverse the decision, restore the police officer to the officer’s former rank, revoke the suspension, reduce the penalty, negate the transfer, or allow a transfer without loss of pay. If the decision is reversed or modified by the superior court, the police officer or police officers shall, to the extent that the decision is reversed or modified, be reimbursed monetarily or by compensatory time off for all loss of pay and/or extra duty hours performed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1968, ch. 242, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 400, § 27, effective July 13, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 401, § 27, effective July 13, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-20 - Appeals from Police and Fire Departments › Section 45-20-2. - Papers returned by department — Contents of writ — Decision.

§ 45-20-2. Papers returned by department — Contents of writ — Decision.
(a)
The department, board, or bureau are not required to return the original papers acted upon by it, but it is sufficient to return verified or sworn copies of the papers or of the portions called for by the writ.
(b)
The writs shall concisely state any other facts that may be pertinent and material to show the grounds of the decision and shall be verified.
(c)
The court must either refuse or affirm wholly the decision brought up for review.
History of Section.
P.L. 1948, ch. 2083, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-20-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-20 - Appeals from Police and Fire Departments › Section 45-20-3. - Other remedies unaffected.

§ 45-20-3. Other remedies unaffected.
The remedy for review provided in this chapter is not exclusive of any other remedy or procedure otherwise available.
History of Section.
P.L. 1948, ch. 2083, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-20-3; P.L. 1999, ch. 354, § 47.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-1. - Purpose of chapter.

§ 45-21-1. Purpose of chapter.
It is the express intention of the legislature by the passage of this chapter to provide an actuarially financed retirement system for municipal employees, properly integrated with the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq., to the end that adequate benefits may be established for the employees of any municipality who become superannuated or otherwise incapacitated while in service, and whereby the employees may be assisted in accumulating reserves for themselves and their dependents to satisfactorily meet the conditions incident to old age, death, disability, and termination of the employees, in the interest of maintaining and promoting efficiency and economy in the administration of government.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-3. - Effective date of operations.

§ 45-21-3. Effective date of operations.
The retirement system created in this chapter begins operations when at least five (5) municipalities, having a combined number of eligible employees for participation in the system of not less than one hundred fifty (150), have accepted the provisions of this chapter, and the effective date of operations shall be the first day of July following the date when these conditions have been fulfilled.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-4. - Acceptance by municipalities — Effective date.

§ 45-21-4. Acceptance by municipalities — Effective date.
(a)
Any municipality may accept this chapter by an ordinance or resolution of its governing body stating the group or groups of employees to be included as provided in § 45-21-7. When the ordinance or resolution has been approved, a certified copy of it shall be forwarded to the retirement board by the city clerk or the moderator of the financial town meeting. After the system has begun operations, the effective date of participation of any municipality shall be the first day of July at least ninety (90) days following the receipt by the retirement board of the certified copy of the ordinance or resolution as provided in this section.
(b)
The Smithfield Town Council may by resolution provide that regular police officers hired after July 2, 1999 and/or regular firefighters who are members of Smithfield’s private pension system may become members of the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Rhode Island in accordance with chapters 21 or 21.2 of this title. No resolution may be adopted by the Town of Smithfield pursuant to this subsection until an actuary study has been completed to determine the potential cost of the resolution. The cost of the actuary study shall be paid by the Town of Smithfield.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-4; P.L. 1999, ch. 353, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 513, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 569, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 300, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-5. - Procedure for withdrawal of municipality.

§ 45-21-5. Procedure for withdrawal of municipality.
A municipality may withdraw from the retirement system established by this chapter or may withdraw any of its departments or agencies by the same procedure provided in § 45-21-4 for acceptance of the chapter; provided, that the withdrawal does not relieve the municipality from the liabilities arising from retirement allowances, annuities, or other benefits already granted or determined, or rights and expectatives relative thereto that have become vested in employees of that municipality or in the survivors of those employees, which are discharged by the payment by the retirement system to the employees or beneficiaries concerned, computed according to the actuarial tables in use by the system; and provided, further, that the withdrawal is conditioned upon the written approval of a majority of the employees in the department or agency.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-5; P.L. 1973, ch. 13, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-6. - Settlement on withdrawal from system.

§ 45-21-6. Settlement on withdrawal from system.
(a)
Upon withdrawal from the system, the retirement board retains in the system from contributions made by the members from the municipality and by the municipality the following amounts:
(1)
An amount equal to the actuarial value, determined in accordance with the actuarial tables in use by the system, of the retirement and disability allowances in force, being paid to former employees of the municipality who were granted allowances as members of the system or to the beneficiaries of those members;
(2)
An amount equal to the actuarial value of deferred annuities to members who have not retired but who have acquired a vested right to a retirement allowance who may desire to maintain that vested right; and
(3)
An amount equal to the accumulated contributions of the members who have not acquired a vested right which shall be refunded to those members.
(b)
Any remainder in the system after providing for the foregoing amounts shall be paid over to the municipality in such amount as the retirement board shall in its sole discretion determine to be prudent and legally permissible; provided, that if no remainder exists and a deficiency to pay those amounts has accumulated, the municipality is liable to the system for the amount of the deficiency as provided in this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-6; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-7. - Liability of municipalities — Enforcement.

§ 45-21-7. Liability of municipalities — Enforcement.
(a)
Each participating municipality is liable to the retirement system for the cost of funding a retirement system for its employees who are members of the system, including all contributions collected from employees, including any contributions pursuant to chapter 10.3 of title 36.
(b)
The liability of a municipality, including the liability under any formalized, commissioner approved, cooperative service arrangement under this chapter is enforceable by the retirement board against the municipality through appropriate action in the superior court.
(c)
The state is further empowered to withhold from any municipality that amount of the municipality’s portion of any shared taxes which is sufficient to satisfy the liability, including any liability pursuant to chapter 10.3 of title 36.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-7; P.L. 1976, ch. 236, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-8.1. - Exclusion of elected city, town council or other elected members.

§ 45-21-8.1. Exclusion of elected city, town council or other elected members.
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, no city or town council member, school committee members or other local elected officials, other than elected officials who are compensated for devoting thirty-five (35) or more hours per week to their elected position, elected for the first time after June 30, 2012, shall be allowed membership into the municipal employees’ retirement system, as a result of that elective service.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 349, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 365, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-9. - Prior service credit of members joining by election — Purchase of credit for prior service.

§ 45-21-9. Prior service credit of members joining by election — Purchase of credit for prior service.
(a)
No employee of a participating municipality whose membership in the retirement system is contingent on his or her own election to join under § 45-21-8(c), shall receive prior service credit unless the employee makes application for membership within one year from the effective date of participation of the municipality by which the employee is employed. Any employee who elects not to join this retirement system, as provided in § 45-21-8(b), may thereafter be admitted to membership, but no employee shall receive credit for prior service unless the employee applies for membership within one year from the effective date of participation of the municipality by which the employee is employed.
(b)
Any member who becomes an employee after the effective date of participation by a municipality into the system, has the privilege of purchasing credit for prior service with the city or town of which the employee is now employed. This privilege does not become effective until a member has had at least one year of service following his or her latest reentry into membership with the system, and credit is granted only when the member makes a lump sum payment of six percent (6%) of the rate of compensation in effect on the date of reentry, plus regular interest, compounded annually from that date to the date of purchase. The maximum period of service that may be purchased under this section is ten (10) years. Upon granting prior service under the provisions of this section, the board shall bill the applicable city or town for its share of the total liability for the prior service. Effective July 1, 2012, any purchase requested under this paragraph shall be made by a member at full actuarial cost.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 41-21-9; P.L. 1966, ch. 166, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 133, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-10. - Information furnished as to members — Classification.

§ 45-21-10. Information furnished as to members — Classification.
It is the duty of each participating municipality to submit to the retirement board a statement showing the name, title, compensation, duties, date of birth, and length of service of each member, and any other information that the retirement board requires. The retirement board shall then classify each member in one of the following groups:
(1) Group 1.
Laborers, mechanics, and workers engaged in duties requiring principally physical exertion; and clerical, administrative, professional, and technical workers engaged in duties requiring principally mental exertion;
(2) Group 2.
Members of the fire department of the participating municipality and members of the police department of the participating municipality;
(3)
Or in any other group which may be recommended by the actuary on the basis of the service and mortality experience and approved by the retirement board.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-10.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-11. - Cessation of membership.

§ 45-21-11. Cessation of membership.
Should the service of any member in any period of six (6) consecutive years after last becoming a member amount to a total of less than three (3) years, or should the member withdraw his or her deposited contributions, or should the member become a beneficiary or die, he or she shall then cease to be a member.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-12. - Statements as to prior service.

§ 45-21-12. Statements as to prior service.
Under the rules and regulations that the retirement board adopts, each member who was an employee on or prior to the effective date of participation of the municipality by which the member is employed, and who became a member within the first year following that date, shall file a detailed statement of all service rendered by him or her as an employee prior to that date, whether the service is in an appointive or elective capacity, for which the employee claims credit, and of any other facts that the retirement board requires for the proper operation of the retirement system.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-12.1. - Credit for service as a teacher or state employee.

§ 45-21-12.1. Credit for service as a teacher or state employee.
Any member who has rendered service as a teacher, as defined under the provisions of chapters 16 and 17 of title 16, or as a state employee, as defined by the provisions of chapters 8 to 10 of title 36, is entitled to credit for that service for the various purposes of this system; provided, that the member was a contributing member for that period. All contributions made by the member for those periods of service shall be transferred in to this system and the retirement system shall calculate the full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer. If the full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer is greater than the total employee contributions transferred, the retirement system shall also transfer the difference between the full actuarial value of the accrued benefit with the former employer and the employee’s contributions from the account of the former employer to the account of the current employing municipality. In any case in which a member has received a refund or refunds of contributions made to the system, the allowance of the previously stated credit for service is conditioned upon the repayment of the refund or refunds, including regular interest from the date of refund to the date of repayment. Any service as defined in this section for which no contributions were made, may be granted; provided, that the member pays to the retirement system a lump sum payment equal to the amount had he or she been a member during that period, plus interest as defined in this section. Effective July 1, 2012, any purchase requested under this paragraph shall be made by a member at full actuarial cost. The retirement board shall fix and determine rules and regulations that are needed to govern the provisions of this section.
History of Section.
P.L. 1970, ch. 112, art. 9, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 435, § 3; P.L. 1998, ch. 70, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 291, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-13. - Verification of prior service.

§ 45-21-13. Verification of prior service.
Subject to the previously stated restrictions, and to any other rules and regulations that the retirement board adopts, the retirement board shall verify as soon as practicable after the establishment of the system the statement of service submitted.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-14. - Computation of years of service.

§ 45-21-14. Computation of years of service.
(a)
The retirement board fixes and determines, by appropriate rules and regulations, how much service in any year is equivalent to a year of service, but in computing the service or in computing the compensation it shall credit no period of more than a month’s duration during which a member was absent without pay, nor shall more than one year of service be credited on account of all service in one calendar year.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other section of law, no member of the retirement system is permitted to purchase service credit for any portion of a year for which he or she is already receiving service credit in this retirement system.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-14; P.L. 1997, ch. 169, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-14.1. - Repealed.

§ 45-21-14.1. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1978, ch. 111, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2011, ch. 349, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 365, § 1, effective July 13, 2011.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-14.2. - Leave of absence credits.

§ 45-21-14.2. Leave of absence credits.
(a)
Members with at least one year of membership credits who have been granted an official leave of absence without pay for illness, injury, educational or, any other reason, may receive credit for the leave by making contributions to the retirement system, in a lump sum, in an amount equal to the contribution the member would have made to the retirement system based upon the member’s expected compensation but for the granting of leave without pay, plus regular interest compounded annually to date of payment; provided, that the member returns to service for at least one year immediately upon completion of that leave. Credit for leaves of absence under this section are limited, in the aggregate, during the total service of a member to a period of four (4) years maximum. Effective July 1, 2012, any purchase requested under this paragraph shall be made by a member at full actuarial cost.
(b)
The retirement board fixes the time when and the conditions under which payments are made under this section.
(c)
This section is exempt from the provisions of §§ 45-13-6 — 45-13-10.
History of Section.
P.L. 1981, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 139, § 7; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-15. - Prior service certificate.

§ 45-21-15. Prior service certificate.
(a)
Upon verification of the statement of service submitted, the retirement board shall issue to the member a prior service certificate certifying to the aggregate length of prior service as an employee. So long as membership continues, a prior service certificate is final and conclusive for retirement purposes as to that service, unless modified by the retirement board upon application made by the member within one year after date of issuance or modification of the prior service certificate or upon discovery by the retirement board of an error or fraud.
(b)
When membership ceases, the certificate is void.
(c)
Should membership be resumed by the employee, the employee will enter the system as an employee not entitled to prior service credit.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-15.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-16.2. - Electronic funds transfer.

§ 45-21-16.2. Electronic funds transfer.
All members of the municipal employees retirement system retiring under the provisions of this title on or after July 1, 1998, or joining the system pursuant to § 45-21.4-2 or § 45-21.4-3, are required to participate in electronic funds transfer and to supply the municipal employees retirement system with a bank routing number to effectuate a monthly transfer of benefits.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 81, § 2; P.L. 2019, ch. 272, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 277, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-17.1. - Optional service retirement benefits — Applicability to members of city or town legislative bodies.

§ 45-21-17.1. Optional service retirement benefits — Applicability to members of city or town legislative bodies.
(a)
Every city or town may by ordinance provide that every person who has served as a member of the legislative body of the city or town for a period of ten (10) years and has attained the age of sixty (60), or who has served for a period of twenty (20) years, is entitled to receive upon retirement from the legislative body, and not being otherwise regularly employed by the city or town in which that person has served, a service retirement allowance equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the salary received at the time of retirement by the legislative official; however, not less than a sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for each year served; provided, further, that if the person retires after a period of service greater than ten (10) years, that person is entitled to receive an additional service retirement allowance equivalent to five percent (5%) of the salary received at the time of retirement for each whole year of service in excess of ten (10) years up to a maximum additional allowance equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the salary received. Service in excess of six (6) months in any one year constitutes one full retirement credit year. Every person qualified under this section can purchase up to four (4) years of armed service credits in accordance with the provisions of § 36-9-31.
(b)
The provisions of this section only apply to those persons presently serving on city or town legislative bodies as of May 15, 1973.
History of Section.
P.L. 1973, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 261, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-17.2. - Social security supplemental option.

§ 45-21-17.2. Social security supplemental option.
(a)
In lieu of the retirement on service allowance, a vested member who retires in accordance with § 45-21-16 may choose an optional form of retirement benefit known as the social security supplemental option.
(b)
This option provides for the payment of a larger benefit before the attainment of age sixty-two (62) and a reduced benefit thereafter. The reduced amount is equal to the benefit before age sixty-two (62), including cost of living increases, reduced by the member’s estimated social security benefit payable at age sixty-two (62). Benefits payable under this option before and after the attainment of age sixty-two (62) are actuarially determined to be equivalent to the lifetime service retirement allowance as determined in § 45-21-17.
(c)
Election of this social security supplemental option is available only to members with ten (10) or more years of contributing service on or before June 30, 2012, who elect the service retirement allowance set forth in § 45-21-17.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 594, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-18. - Deferred allowance on service retirement before minimum age.

§ 45-21-18. Deferred allowance on service retirement before minimum age.
The right to a service retirement allowance under the provisions of this chapter is vested in a member who withdraws from service prior to the attainment of the applicable minimum age of retirement as prescribed in this section, who has not received a refund; provided, that the member has completed at least ten (10) years of total service, or for members in active service on or after July 1, 2012, at least five (5) years of total service. The member becomes entitled to a service retirement allowance upon the member’s attainment of the applicable minimum retirement age or at the member’s option at any date subsequent to attaining that age. The rate of service retirement allowance payable in the case of any member is that provided in § 45-21-17 for the period of total service earned and accrued at the date of withdrawal from service of the member.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-18; P.L. 2011, ch. 408, § 11; P.L. 2011, ch. 409, § 11.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-19. - Retirement for ordinary disability.

§ 45-21-19. Retirement for ordinary disability.
(a)
Any member who has had five (5) or more years of total service, may, upon the member’s own application or upon application of the employer, or some person acting in the member’s behalf, while in active service or on leave of absence for illness, apply for ordinary disability retirement; provided, that the member is not entitled to a regular service retirement allowance and; provided, that the member has at least three (3) consecutive years of service as an employee of a participating municipality within the five (5) years needed to be eligible under this section.
(b)
A statement from a physician shall accompany the application stating that the member is physically or mentally incapacitated for the performance of duty and that the member ought to be retired.
(c)
A medical examination of the member shall be made by three (3) physicians engaged by the retirement board for this purpose, and should the medical examination show that the member is physically or mentally incapacitated for the performance of duty and ought to be retired, the physicians shall so report and certify to the retirement board and the retirement board may retire the member for ordinary disability.
(d)
The retirement board shall establish uniform eligibility requirement standards and criteria for ordinary disability which apply to all members who make application for retirement for ordinary disability.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-19; P.L. 1967, ch. 201, § 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 262, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 29, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 28, § 2; P.L. 1982, ch. 192, § 3; P.L. 1992, ch. 306, art. 3, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-20. - Ordinary disability allowance.

§ 45-21-20. Ordinary disability allowance.
Upon retirement for ordinary disability, a member receives a retirement allowance equal to the rate prescribed for service retirement subject to the provisions of § 45-21-31; provided that no member retiring with less than ten (10) years of total service receives a benefit less than the member would have received if the member had ten (10) years of total service.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-20; P.L. 1959, ch. 23, § 2; P.L. 1964, ch. 86, § 1; P.L. 1971, ch. 66, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 29, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 360, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-21. - Retirement for accidental disability.

§ 45-21-21. Retirement for accidental disability.
(a)
Any member in active service, regardless of length of service, is entitled to an accidental disability retirement allowance. Application for the allowance shall be made by the member or on the member’s behalf, stating that the member is physically or mentally incapacitated for further service as the result of an injury sustained while in the performance of duty and certifying the time, place, and conditions of the duty performed by the member which resulted in the alleged disability, and that the alleged disability was not the result of the willful negligence or misconduct on the part of the member, and was not the result of age or length of service, and that the member has not attained the age of sixty-five (65). The application shall be made within five (5) years of the alleged accident from which the injury has resulted in the member’s present disability and shall be accompanied by an accident report and a physician’s report certifying the disability. If a medical examination made by three (3) physicians engaged by the retirement board, and other investigations as the board may make, confirm the statements made by the member, the board may grant the member an accidental disability retirement allowance.
(b)
The retirement board shall establish uniform eligibility requirements, standards and criteria for accidental disability which apply to all members who make application for accidental disability benefits.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-21; R.P.L. 1957, ch. 135, § 2; P.L. 1980, ch. 59, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 594, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 306, art. 3, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-22. - Accidental disability allowance.

§ 45-21-22. Accidental disability allowance.
Upon retirement for accidental disability, a member receives a retirement allowance equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (662/3%) of the rate of the member’s compensation at the date of the member’s retirement subject to the provisions of § 45-21-31.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-22; R.P.L. 1957, ch. 135, § 2; P.L. 1959, ch. 23, § 3; P.L. 1980, ch. 59, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-23. - Periodical examination of disability annuitants — Placement on employment lists.

§ 45-21-23. Periodical examination of disability annuitants — Placement on employment lists.
(a)
At least once each year the retirement board may, and upon application shall, require any disability annuitant under the minimum age for service retirement, whether in receipt of an ordinary disability retirement allowance or an accidental disability retirement allowance, to undergo a medical examination, the examination to be made at the place of residence of the annuitant, or other place mutually agreed upon, by a physician or physicians engaged by the retirement board.
(b)
If the examination indicates that the annuitant is able to engage in a gainful occupation, the annuitant’s name shall be placed on appropriate lists of candidates that are prepared for appointment to positions in the annuitant’s department for which the annuitant is stated to be qualified, of a salary grade not less than that from which the annuitant was last retired.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-23.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 45 - Towns and Cities › Chapter 45-21 - Retirement of Municipal Employees › Section 45-21-24. - Adjustment of disability allowances on return to work — Discontinuance for refusal to submit to examination.

§ 45-21-24. Adjustment of disability allowances on return to work — Discontinuance for refusal to submit to examination.
(a)
Should the beneficiary be engaged in a gainful occupation or should the beneficiary be offered service as a result of the placing of his or her name on a list of candidates, the retirement board shall adjust, and from time to time readjust, the amount of his or her disability allowance to an amount which, when added to the amount of compensation then earnable by the beneficiary, shall not exceed the rate of earnable compensation currently in force for the classification that the disability annuitant held prior to retirement.
(b)
Should any disability annuitant under the minimum age of retirement refuse to submit to a medical examination in any year by a physician or physicians designated by the retirement board, the annuitant’s retirement allowance may be discontinued until the annuitant’s withdrawal of the refusal, and should the annuitant’s refusal continue for one year after a request has been made, all the annuitant’s rights in and to the retirement allowance may be revoked by the retirement board. A disability annuitant, reinstated to active service, shall be reinstated as a member and participate in the benefits of the retirement system to the same extent as any other member.
History of Section.
P.L. 1951, ch. 2784, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 45-21-24; P.L. 1989, ch. 403, § 1.