AN ACT relating to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority.

Amend various sections of KRS Chapters 16, 61, and 78 to make technical and housekeeping changes relating to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority's (KPPA) administration of the systems governed by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and the County Employees Retirement System boards of trustees, including: amend KRS 61.505 to rename the position of internal auditor to chief auditor and conform with prior legislation; amend KRS 16.505, 61.510, and 78.510 to make various changes and additions to definitions; repeal, reenact, and amend KRS 16.652, 61.546, and 61.692 in response to a Kentucky Supreme Court decision and make technical changes; amend KRS 61.525 and 78.540 to remove outdated language and comply with federal law regarding membership in the retirement plan; amend KRS 61.552 to require Tier 3 members to remit employee contributions before receiving military service credit; amend KRS 61.569 to provide process for repayment of employee contributions after a member's employment is reinstated by order of a court or tribunal; amend KRS 61.615 to permit KPPA to employ vocational experts to review and evaluate employment information in disability review cases and remove review of physical exertion requirement when disability is due solely to a mental illness; amend KRS 61.625 regarding procedures for members who receive a refund in error or who have taken a refund and subsequently have their reemployment reinstated; amend KRS 61.637 and 78.5540 to conform to the process for repayment of employee contributions after a member's employment is reinstated by order of a court or tribunal; amend KRS 61.645 and 78.782 to permit voting by telephone in trustee elections and extend deadline for posting board minutes from 72 hours to three business days; amend KRS 61.665 to change the process for the review of disability applications to permit one medical examiner to review initial applications and approve a member for disability with no additional reviews required, but if disability is denied, implement up to two more examiners to achieve majority consensus for approval or disapproval of disability; amend KRS 61.705 and 78.5538 to provide that the death benefit of $5,000 is payable to a beneficiary of the member, not the member, and is not subject to garnishment, unless the beneficiary is the member's estate or there is an overpayment of benefits or outstanding balance owed to the system; amend KRS 61.685, 61.702, 78.530, 78.5528, 78.5536, 78.640, and 78.852 to make conforming and technical changes.