MarylandSB 03372026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Correctional Officers' Retirement System - Membership - Clarifications

Sponsored By: Karen Lewis Young (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Pensions and RetirementCorrectional OfficersHealth, Department ofRetirement -see also- Mandatory RetirementSunsetWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Bigger disability check for transfers

Beginning July 1, 2026, if your ERS/EPS service was moved into CORS and you are granted ordinary disability, the Board runs two lawful calculations and pays the larger one. This ensures you receive the higher ordinary disability benefit.

More MDH jobs join CORS

The law brings more Maryland Department of Health jobs into the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System. Coverage applies to service on or after July 1, 2024; July 1, 2025; and July 1, 2026 by job title. Named sites include Eastern Shore Hospital Center, Spring Grove, Springfield, the Thomas B. Finan Center, Potomac/SETT, RICA–Baltimore, and John L. Gildner RICA. Covered roles include CAMH associates, direct care assistants and trainees, licensed practical nurses, resident associates, security attendants and supervisors, and CAMH supervisors and specialists.

Unused sick leave boosts pensions

Beginning July 1, 2026, unused sick leave can raise your pension. If you moved from EPS or ERS to CORS, did not move your old service, and you meet one of these: you retire under CORS with a vested ERS/EPS benefit; you retire under ERS/EPS with a vested CORS benefit for CORS service from on or after July 1, 2016; or you retire with a vested ERS/EPS benefit and also have CORS service from on or after July 1, 2016 that does not itself earn a CORS benefit. You get credit equal to all your unused sick leave at retirement. The Board splits that credit between systems by your share of service in each one, not counting sick‑leave credit in the split. Your ERS/EPS check must also add qualifying unused sick leave you earned before joining CORS for listed jobs on or after these dates: July 1, 2016; July 1, 2017; July 1, 2018; July 1, 2022; July 1, 2024; July 1, 2025; and July 1, 2026. Unused sick leave means time you had available and did not use before you retired.

Old service moved into CORS

Beginning July 1, 2026, if you are in an affected job, your past ERS/EPS service is moved to CORS. If you have any EPS service before July 1, 2008, the Board moves it on June 30, 2027 unless you opt out by June 1, 2027. If you apply to retire before June 30, 2027, the move happens before your retirement date unless you opted out in time. If you have no EPS service before July 1, 2008, your EPS service is transferred and combined with your CORS service. These transfer rules end June 30, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Karen Lewis Young
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 0 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/5/2026