Senate Bill sb2978
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Florida Senate - 2007 (NP) SB 2978
By Senator Saunders
37-842-07 See HB
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to Lee County; amending ch.
3 74-522, Laws of Florida, as amended;
4 redesignating the Lee County Sheriff's
5 Department as the Lee County Sheriff's Office;
6 revising qualifications for membership on the
7 civil service board; revising the date for
8 electing board members; deleting certain
9 limitations for classification as members of
10 the civil service; revising requirements for
11 demotions in rank following the election of a
12 new sheriff; deleting provisions authorizing a
13 specified amount of annual leave for certain
14 employees; deleting certain restrictions on the
15 age at which an applicant may be employed as a
16 deputy sheriff; deleting certain restrictions
17 on the employment of persons with a medical
18 discharge; revising requirements for the
19 posting of notices of employment; clarifying
20 provisions authorizing political activities
21 during off-duty hours; providing an effective
22 date.
23
24 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
25
26 Section 1. Chapter 74-522, Laws of Florida, as amended
27 by chapters 99-434 and 2003-329, Laws of Florida, is amended
28 to read:
29 Section 1. Composition and purpose of board.--There is
30 hereby created a civil service board, hereafter referred to as
31 the "board", composed of five (5) members whose duty it is to
1
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1 administer the terms of this act which shall apply to all
2 classified appointees deputy sheriffs and employees of the Lee
3 County Sheriff's Office.
4 (1) The board shall consist of five (5) members who
5 shall be elected by a majority of persons voting or appointed
6 as follows:
7 (a) One (1) member of the board will be the sheriff or
8 his or her designate.
9 (b) One (1) member of the board will to be elected by
10 a majority of the employees with the rank of lieutenant or
11 above. An alternate member shall be elected at the same time
12 and in the same manner for this position.
13 (c) One (1) member of the board to be elected by a
14 majority of the employees below with the rank of lieutenant
15 deputy or sergeant. An alternate member shall be elected at
16 the same time and in the same manner for this position.
17 (d) One (1) member to be an upstanding resident of Lee
18 County to be selected and appointed elected by the board at
19 the first organizational meeting held on the first business
20 day of October after taking office.
21 (e) One (1) member of the board to be the lead
22 department chaplain or his or her designee, as determined by
23 the Sheriff.
24 (f) Election for board members and their alternates of
25 the three (3) members shall be held on the second Tuesday of
26 at the first staff meeting in September, and the newly elected
27 member shall take with the members taking office on the 1st
28 day of October.
29 (g) Civilian employees not assigned a rank may vote
30 for the position identified in paragraph (b) or (c), but not
31 both. If for any reason, a member of the board cannot serve,
2
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1 an alternate member will be elected in the same manner as
2 provided in this section.
3 (h) Alternate members shall serve if, for any reason,
4 a member of the board cannot serve.
5 (i)(h) All vacancies on the board will be filled by
6 the procedure established in this section.
7 (2) No board member shall be subject to any adverse
8 action in retaliation for his or her service on the board,
9 decisions of the board, or performance of his or her official
10 duties in transacting business of the board.
11 (3) The term of office for elected board members shall
12 be 2 years.
13 Section 2. Qualifications for board members.--Members
14 of the board shall be 18 twenty-one (21) years of age or over,
15 of good moral character, a citizen of the United States of
16 America, a permanent resident of Florida, and must have
17 resided in Lee County for at least 1 one (1) year prior to his
18 or her appointment.
19 Section 3. Affected employees.--The civil service act,
20 as set forth, will encompass all classified employees members
21 of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. The term "classified
22 employees" shall include all full-time deputy sheriffs,
23 correctional officers, and civilian employees who have
24 completed their original or reemployment probationary period.
25 "Classified employees" shall not include: any contractual
26 employees, appointees, volunteers, or other persons who do not
27 serve in a regularly budgeted position in the Sheriff's office
28 on a full-time basis; and the Sheriff or his or her second in
29 command, whether designated as chief deputy, undersheriff, or
30 otherwise, except as to the Sheriff's obligations set forth
31 under sections 1, 2, and 15. All members of the sheriff's
3
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1 office under the rank of chief deputy shall be classified
2 members of the civil service act.
3 Section 4. Board positions.--The board shall, upon its
4 organization, elect one (1) member as chairperson chairman and
5 one (1) member as secretary and they shall perform their
6 duties in accordance with the rules and regulations to be
7 adopted by the board from time to time as necessary to carry
8 out the purpose of this act.
9 Section 5. Certification of the act.--This act shall
10 become operative upon the certification to the board by the
11 sheriff that the office of the Sheriff of Lee County is
12 functioning under the civil service rules as established in
13 this document. When the certification of organization and
14 capability has been filed by the sheriff, the board shall
15 forthwith acknowledge such certification. Thereafter, the
16 certification shall be irrevocable except by subsequent act of
17 Legislature. The act shall carry over from Sheriff to Sheriff
18 and it shall not be necessary for subsequent Sheriffs to
19 recertify the act.
20 Section 6. Powers of the board.--The board, as a body,
21 shall have the power, subject to minimum requirements, to act
22 to:
23 (1) Investigate and enforce compliance by the Sheriff
24 and any and all classified and unclassified employees of the
25 Sheriff's office with regards to the terms and conditions of
26 the act and implement investigations and determinations Make
27 investigations concerning the enforcement and effect of this
28 act, and to require observance of its provisions and the rules
29 and regulations made thereunder.
30 (2) Hear and determine appeals of complaints
31 respecting the administration of this act.
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1 (3) Establish and maintain a roster of all employees
2 in the classified service of the office of the sheriff showing
3 their position, rank, compensation, benefits and place of
4 residence.
5 (4) Ascertain and record the duties and
6 responsibilities of appertaining to all positions of the
7 Sheriff's office in a manner approved by the board in the
8 classified service and classify such positions in the manner
9 hereafter provided.
10 (5) Keep any other records as may be necessary for the
11 proper administration of this act.
12 (6) Issue subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses
13 and production of documents and things in connection with
14 investigations and hearings conducted pursuant to this act.
15 Section 7. Positions after adoption of the act and
16 election of a new Sheriff.--All classified employees persons
17 in the employ of the office of the Sheriff shall be retained
18 in the same capacity, at the time this act becomes operative,
19 who have served for a period longer than one (1) year in a
20 position and rank shall now be under this act, retained as
21 same, without preliminary or performance tests but shall
22 thereafter be subject in all other respects to the provisions
23 of this act. In the event a new sheriff is elected to office
24 in Lee County, all classified employees of the Sheriff's
25 office shall remain in the same position with the exception of
26 those serving in a rank or grade immediately below the chief
27 deputy. These persons who comprise the Sheriff's executive and
28 administrative staff and who command a major component,
29 subdivision, or bureau of the Sheriff's office personnel who
30 are ranked at captain or above, who may be subject to a one
31 (1) grade demotion in rank to lieutenant or above in order to
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1 allow the Sheriff to establish his or her new administration.
2 The salary of all persons so demoted may be reduced to no less
3 than the top of the grade to which they are demoted. If
4 transferred, the transfer shall be to a position equal in
5 terms of rank, pay, and benefits to those in which other
6 persons of the same rank serve. The elimination by a new
7 Sheriff of a position or grade under a previous administration
8 constitutes a demotion for purposes of this section.
9 Section 8. Leaves of absence and military
10 service.--The Sheriff shall formulate reasonable rules
11 governing the granting of leaves of absence to members of the
12 Sheriff's office sheriff's office in good standing. Except as
13 hereinafter provided, no leave of absence shall be approved
14 given for more than 1 one (1) year, however, such leaves may
15 be extended with the approval of the Sheriff upon the showing
16 of good cause, so long as the leave period does not exceed the
17 Sheriff's current term of office.
18 (1) All classified employees of persons employed by
19 the Lee County Sheriff's office who shall be inducted in the
20 armed forces of the United States of America or who shall
21 voluntarily by enlistment enter into such forces in time of
22 war or national emergency shall, upon application to the
23 Sheriff, receive a military leave of absence for the duration
24 of the period of service required. During the period of
25 service, all persons serving shall be entitled to all the
26 benefits and privileges of this act and shall retain all
27 rights of seniority. All persons shall be entitled to
28 reemployment in the same capacity and position they held at
29 the time of entering said military service, provided, however,
30 that application for reinstatement to in such position must be
31 made by or on behalf of such employee within 3 three (3)
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1 months after termination of military service. Provided Further
2 that to be entitled to the benefits of this subsection, any
3 discharge from such military service must have been honorable.
4 (2) This section shall not apply to persons who engage
5 themselves as private contractors for any security or
6 peacekeeping force or any service provider not directly under
7 the supervision and control of the Armed Forces of the United
8 States of America and the Commander In Chief of those forces.
9 Section 9. Qualifications for employment.-- The
10 minimum standards and qualifications for an original applicant
11 for employment or reemployment as a classified employee of
12 deputy sheriff, or in any other capacity in the office of the
13 Sheriff of Lee County, shall be as follows:
14 (1) All applicants for any position in the classified
15 service of the Sheriff's office must submit a complete,
16 written application for employment.
17 (2)(1) All applicants must be graduates of An
18 applicant shall have graduated from a duly accredited high
19 school or possess shall have the equivalent of a high school
20 diploma from a school recognized by the state.
21 (3)(2) All applicants must An applicant shall be
22 physically capable of performing all functions and duties of
23 the position that they are seeking and must submit to a
24 physical exam conducted by a physician licensed in this state
25 of a deputy sheriff as established by the board, and this
26 physical capacity shall be certified by a physician licensed
27 in this state and selected by the board.
28 (4)(3) All applicants are required to submit to a
29 background investigation, drug screen, polygraph, or CVSA
30 examination and oral interview No person is eligible to
31 receive public funds as a salary or for services rendered as a
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1 deputy sheriff of Lee County until such person has submitted
2 to the sheriff, a written application for employment and has
3 passed an oral examination.
4 (5)(4) All applicants An applicant shall not have been
5 convicted of a felony of any kind, a crime involving moral
6 turpitude, or of a misdemeanor for which the penalty is
7 greater be more than a $300 three hundred dollar ($300) fine
8 and/or 90 ninety (90) days confinement.
9 (6)(5) All applicants having military service must
10 submit a DD 214 indicating that their military service and
11 discharge were under honorable conditions. Persons discharged
12 for medical conditions or reasons must be able to perform all
13 functions of the position for which they are applying An
14 applicant with military service shall have an honorable
15 discharge.
16 (7) In addition to the requirements in subsections
17 (1)-(6), all persons applying for certified law enforcement or
18 corrections positions must comply with the requirements of the
19 Florida Department of Law Enforcement and be eligible for
20 state certification.
21 Section 10. Appointments, promotions, and
22 transfers.--Promotional procedures with respect to all
23 classified employees shall conform to Sheriff's office
24 policies based on CALEA standards as adopted by the Sheriff's
25 office for so long as the Sheriff's office remains an
26 accredited agency. In the event that the Sheriff's office is
27 no longer an accredited agency, promotions will be made on a
28 merit basis considering work performance, knowledge of job,
29 and other similar qualifications. All promotions will be made
30 by the Sheriff Promotions will be made on a merit basis such
31
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1 as work performance, knowledge of job and other
2 qualifications. All promotions will be made by the sheriff.
3 (1) Open positions will be publicly posted throughout
4 the Sheriff's office on department bulletin boards and
5 websites for a period of 7 days to allow for application by
6 qualified Sheriff's office employees who shall be entitled to
7 a preference for any position of higher grade or rank than an
8 entry level position Whenever there is an opening in any
9 division, this opening will be publicly posted throughout the
10 sheriff's office for a period of five (5) days to allow all
11 persons eligible to apply for transfer from their division to
12 the division where the opening exists. Those interested should
13 apply in writing to the Sheriff requesting a such transfer.
14 (2) The Sheriff reserves the right to transfer any
15 employee for the betterment of the service; provided, however,
16 the employees shall not be reduced in rank or compensation and
17 such transfer shall not be considered disciplinary in nature.
18 (3)(2) Employment or reemployment to No appointment or
19 promotion in any position in the Sheriff's office shall not be
20 deemed complete until after the expiration of a period of 1
21 one (1) year's probationary service, during which time the
22 sheriff may terminate without cause the employment of any
23 person certified and/or appointed.
24 (4) No promotion shall be deemed complete until after
25 the expiration of a period of 6 months of service during which
26 time the Sheriff may return the promoted person to his or her
27 former rank and pay for failure or inability to perform the
28 duties of the position to which he or she had been promoted.
29 (5)(3) Employment and reemployment Appointments shall
30 be regarded as taking effect upon the date the employee is
31 scheduled to report person appointed reports for duty. A
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1 person offered employment certified by the Sheriff who does
2 not report for duty at the time so designated, and who does
3 not explain his or her said failure to report, in writing,
4 within 5 five (5) days, may be rejected by the Sheriff.
5 Section 11. Practice and procedures of the board.--The
6 practice and procedure of the board with respect to any
7 investigation by the board authorized by this act shall be in
8 accordance with rules and regulations to be adopted by the
9 board which shall provide for a reasonable notice to all
10 persons affected by recommendations to be made by the board
11 after such investigation, with the opportunity to be heard
12 either in person or by counsel.
13 Section 12. Misconduct and misuse of professional
14 influence.--
15 (1) No person covered by this act shall use his or her
16 official position or influence to solicit orally or in writing
17 by letter, and no public officer or employee shall receive or
18 be in any manner concerned in receiving or soliciting any
19 money or valuable things from any employee of the Sheriff's
20 office department or political party or private individual for
21 any purpose whatsoever.
22 (2) No person shall use or promise to use his or her
23 influence or official position authority to secure any
24 appointment or prospect of appointment to any position
25 classified under this act as a reward or return for personal
26 or partisan political service.
27 (3) No public officer or employee of the Sheriff's
28 office shall by means of threats or coercion induce or attempt
29 to induce any person holding a position in the Sheriff's
30 office to resign his or her position, or to take a leave of
31 absence from duty or to waive any rights under this act.
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1 Section 13. Discipline; suspensions; dismissal;
2 appeals.--
3 (1) The sheriff may discipline, suspend up to 30 days
4 without pay, terminate, or withdraw the appointment of or
5 dismiss an employee only for just cause. An employee subject
6 to substantial discipline, which includes a loss of pay,
7 accrued time, benefits, rank, or position; disciplinary
8 transfer; suspension; or termination may, within 15 days of
9 the discipline, suspension, termination, or withdrawal of
10 appointment, file a notice of appeal with the board's
11 secretary. The board shall schedule a hearing within 30 days
12 of receipt of notice of appeal. Continuation of a hearing may
13 be granted by the board upon a showing of good cause by either
14 party or upon agreement of the parties. The employee so
15 dismissed or suspended will have fifteen (15) days to file an
16 appeal with the board. Officers with the rank of lieutenant
17 and above will have the authority to take immediate
18 disciplinary action including relieving an employee of duty,
19 thereafter securing the approval of the sheriff. The sheriff
20 may summarily suspend an employee for a reasonable period not
21 exceeding thirty (30) days. Every such suspension shall be
22 without pay; provided, however, that the board shall have the
23 authority to investigate every such suspension and if it is
24 found that the sheriff acted in bad faith, it shall have the
25 power to restore pay to the employee for such suspended time.
26 (1) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this
27 section, any person holding a position in the sheriff's office
28 who has been removed or discharged, has the opportunity to be
29 heard in his own defense upon filing a written request to the
30 board within fifteen (15) days following the action. The
31 appeal shall, within thirty (30) days after the filing be
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1 heard, investigated and determined by the board as provided by
2 section 13 of this act.
3 (2) At the hearing the employee has the burden of
4 proving that the Sheriff lacked just cause supported by
5 competent and substantial evidence for the disciplinary action
6 under appeal.
7 (3) The board shall have the authority to investigate
8 any such discipline, suspension, termination, or withdrawal of
9 appointment and, should the board determine following a
10 hearing that the action taken by the Sheriff was without just
11 cause, the board has the authority to:
12 (a) Vacate the discipline, restore the employee's pay
13 and benefits as outlined in subsection (1), and, in the event
14 the suspension is not completed, void the remaining suspension
15 time and restore the employee to duty.
16 (b) Reinstate the employee's employment and pay
17 without loss of rank or seniority.
18
19 In no case shall back pay exceed 30 days.
20 (4) Should the board determine following the hearing
21 that the action taken by the Sheriff was with just cause it
22 shall uphold the disciplinary decision of the Sheriff. The
23 board may not substitute its judgment for that of the Sheriff
24 regarding the severity of the disciplinary action imposed,
25 provided the disciplinary action is authorized by law.
26 (5) Each party may make a timely appeal to the circuit
27 court upon receipt of the board's written order. In the event
28 a timely appeal is not taken and the Sheriff was found to not
29 have just cause for the discipline, the employee's record
30 shall have the board's final order attached to and included in
31 the employee's personnel file.
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1 (6)(2) The board's decision is The decision of the
2 board will be final and absolute.
3 (7) Classified employees are free from retaliatory
4 action based on the exercise of rights provided under this
5 act.
6 Section 14. Public meetings.--It shall be the duty of
7 the authorities having charge of the public buildings of Lee
8 County to allow the reasonable use of public buildings and
9 rooms for the holding of meetings of the board and any
10 examinations or investigations provided for by this act. The
11 term "public building" shall include any building under the
12 lawful control of the Lee County Government or Lee County
13 Sheriff's Office which provides for free public access under
14 minimal restrictions, as necessary, to provide for the safety
15 and security of its occupants.
16 Section 15. Retirement health insurance benefits.--
17 (1) It shall be and is hereby made the duty of the
18 Sheriff of Lee County to provide annually in his or her
19 budget, a sufficient sum of money to enable the board to
20 properly carry out the purposes of this act.
21 (2) Effective October 1, 1986 and thereafter, it is
22 the duty of the Sheriff of Lee County to provide annually in
23 his or her budget a sufficient sum of money to pay a
24 percentage of the cost of the health insurance of employees
25 members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office who retire from
26 active service after having accumulated at least 15 years of
27 full-time creditable service under the Florida Retirement
28 System. The health insurance costs payable pursuant to this
29 section include premiums for major medical and hospitalization
30 insurance, but do not include premiums for dental or vision
31 insurance. Upon becoming eligible for Medicare, a retiree's
13
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1 Sheriff's office health coverage will become a secondary
2 payer. When a retiree receiving this health insurance benefit
3 becomes eligible for Medicare, his health coverage will
4 convert to the Medicare Supplement health insurance.
5 (a) In order to receive this benefit, the retiree must
6 have served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office for the 10
7 years immediately preceding his retirement. The retiree may
8 claim up to 5 years of creditable service earned while in the
9 employ of another member agency within the Florida Retirement
10 System. The Lee County Sheriff's Office shall verify all years
11 of creditable service claimed through the Division of
12 Retirement of the Department of Administration.
13 (3)(c) The benefits provided in this section are
14 available only to a full-time employee who retires from the
15 Lee County Sheriff's Office after having participated in one
16 or more retirement programs (investment, defined benefit, DROP
17 or combination thereof) of the Florida Retirement System (FRS)
18 for a minimum of 15 years. A retiree may claim up to 5 years
19 of prior service with another FRS employer provided that the
20 last 10 years of full-time employment must have been with the
21 Lee County Sheriff's Office. All prior years of service with
22 another FRS employer are subject to verification from the
23 Division of Retirement of the Department of Administration.
24 The Lee County Sheriff's Office shall base the percentage of a
25 retiree's health insurance costs it will pay upon the number
26 of years of creditable service that the retiree has
27 accumulated in the Florida Retirement System. Fifteen years of
28 creditable service entitles the retiree to have 75 percent of
29 his health insurance premiums paid by the sheriff's office.
30 The sheriff's office shall pay an additional 5 percent of the
31 insurance premiums for each year of service in excess of 15
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1 years until reaching a maximum of 100 percent of the premium
2 at 20 years of service. The Lee County Sheriff's Office shall
3 pay an additional one-twelfth of 1 percent of the premium for
4 each month served until the full 100 percent is paid.
5 (a) An employee is considered retired from the Florida
6 Retirement System at such time as he or she takes any form of
7 distribution from his or her FRS defined contribution, hybrid
8 option, or investment plan retirement account.
9 (b) The term "retirement distribution" means receiving
10 a monthly pension check, taking a lump-sum payment, or rolling
11 over any or all of the value of the retiree's account into a
12 personal or other annuity account.
13 (4)(b) If an employee retires from the Lee County
14 Sheriff's Office after at least 15 10 years of full-time
15 service with the department, as provided in subsection (3),
16 but prior to receiving a retirement pension from the Florida
17 Retirement System, he or she may continue receiving group
18 health insurance benefits, individual or family, by paying the
19 current premium rate to the Lee County Sheriff's Office until
20 he or she receives their first pension payment from the FRS.
21 Upon written notification and documentation to the Lee County
22 Sheriff's Office that the retiree is receiving FRS pension
23 benefits, the Sheriff's office will begin to pay a percentage
24 of the retiree's and dependent's if qualified, health
25 insurance premium costs. but before reaching retirement age,
26 and has participated in the Florida Retirement System for at
27 least 15 years, he may pay his and his dependent's health
28 insurance costs until he begins to receive retirement benefits
29 under the Florida Retirement System. The Lee County Sheriff's
30 Office shall begin to pay a percentage of the employee's
31 health insurance costs when he begins to receive such
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1 retirement benefits. The retiree shall give the sheriff's
2 office written notice of the date of payment of his initial
3 retirement benefit. The Lee County Sheriff's Office shall
4 verify this date through the Division of Retirement of the
5 Department of Administration.
6 (5) The percentage of a retiree's health insurance
7 premiums costs payable by the Lee County Sheriff's Office is
8 dependent on the following schedule: at 15 years of full-time
9 service, as outlined in subsection (3), the Sheriff's office
10 will pay 75 percent of the retiree's health insurance premium
11 costs. For each additional year of full-time service beyond
12 the 15-year mark, the Sheriff's office will pay an additional
13 5 percent of the health insurance premium costs until the
14 maximum of 100 percent of the health insurance premium is paid
15 at 20 years of service. Fractional years will be paid at the
16 rate of .416 percent per month. In no case will the Sheriff's
17 office pay in excess of 100 percent of the retiree's health
18 insurance premium.
19 (6)(d) If an retiree is entitled to a an employee has
20 health insurance benefit from coverage through a previous
21 employer, then the Lee County Sheriff's Office will be a the
22 secondary payor to that policy.
23 (7)(e) If a retiree is eligible to receive either an
24 immediate or future an employee receives a retiree health
25 insurance subsidy (HIS) from the FRS state, then the Lee
26 County Sheriff's Office will shall reduce the amount of any it
27 pays of the employee's health insurance premium it pays on
28 behalf of the retiree premiums by an the amount equal to the
29 value of the subsidy.
30 (8)(f) For retired employees having at least 15 years,
31 but less than 20 years of full-time service as defined in
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1 subsection (3), the Lee County Sheriff's Office shall pay for
2 a percentage of the health insurance coverage of the retiree.
3 Retirees in this category may purchase health insurance for
4 their spouse or qualified dependents at the prevailing Lee
5 County Sheriff's Office group rate. For retired employees
6 having 20 years or more of full-time service as defined in
7 subsection (3), the Lee County Sheriff's Office shall pay 100
8 percent of the retiree's health insurance premium and 50
9 percent of the retiree's spouse or qualified dependent's
10 health insurance premium and 50 percent of his or her
11 dependents' health insurance coverage only if the retiree's
12 health insurance is paid at 100 percent of the premium at 20
13 years of service. A retiree who obtains benefits without
14 attaining 20 years of service may pay for the health insurance
15 of his or her dependents. Upon a retiree's death, his or her
16 spouse may continue any the health insurance coverage
17 previously provided by the retiree and qualified spouses are
18 entitled to the reduced premium rate. All premiums must be
19 paid to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
20 (9)(g) Retirement This retiree health insurance
21 benefits are benefit is only available to an employee at the
22 time he or she when he retires from the Lee County Sheriff's
23 Office, has accumulated the minimum number of full-time
24 service years as provided in subsection (3), and has filed to
25 receive a pension disbursement from the FRS. If an the
26 employee chooses not does not elect to receive retirement
27 health the insurance benefits at the time he or she submits
28 his or her final retirement paperwork to the Sheriff's office
29 benefit upon retiring, he or she does not have the option of
30 receiving these benefits the benefit at a later date, except
31 as provided in subsection (4). Benefits must be applied for
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1 within 60 days of the last physical day of work. It is the
2 responsibility of the retiree to notify the Lee County
3 Sheriff's Office if he or she continued insurance benefits
4 under subsection (4) and later filed to receive a pension
5 disbursement from the FRS.
6 (10) This section shall apply to all classified and
7 unclassified members of this agency alike, provided they meet
8 all qualifications found in this section.
9 Section 16. Political activity.--No employee person
10 holding a classified position in the sheriff's office shall
11 take an active part in any political campaign while on duty or
12 while off duty and wearing any uniform or part thereof
13 identifying the Sheriff's office. Nothing in this act shall be
14 construed to prohibit or prevent any such person from
15 exercising lawful political rights while off duty, from
16 becoming or continuing to be a member of a political club or
17 organization, or from attending any political meetings, or
18 from enjoying entire freedom from all interferences in casting
19 his or her vote. Any person violating the provisions of this
20 section may be dismissed from the service of the office of the
21 sheriff of Lee County.
22 Section 17. Legal construction and amendment of the
23 act.--The provisions of this act shall be severable and if any
24 of the provisions shall be held to be unconstitutional, the
25 decision of the court shall not affect the validity of the
26 remaining provisions. It is hereby declared the legislative
27 intent of this act that it would have been adopted by the
28 legislature had such unconstitutional provision not have been
29 included therein.
30 (1) This act shall not be held or construed to create
31 any property rights or any vested interests in any position in
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2007 (NP) SB 2978
37-842-07 See HB
1 the Sheriff's office beyond those specifically enumerated in
2 the act sheriff's office and the right is hereby reserved to
3 repeal, alter or amend this act, or any provision thereof at
4 any time.
5 (2) All requests for changes or amendments to this act
6 proposed by a board member or an alternate board member shall
7 come before the five-member board in a public meeting and be
8 approved by a majority vote of the board. The board as a whole
9 has the authority to request the Legislature to amend the act
10 on behalf of the classified employees of the Sheriff's office
11 whose effect on all classified employees shall be immediate
12 upon becoming law.
13 Section 18. All laws and parts of laws, insofar as
14 they are inconsistent with this act, or any provision thereof,
15 are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed.
16 Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
17 law.
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.