Evers signs bill to attract, retain local county jail staff

Gov. Tony Evers today signed Assembly Bill 28, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 4, which will classify county jailers as protective occupation participants under the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), similar to state correctional officers and other law enforcement agents, without a requirement that their principal duties involve active law enforcement or active fire suppression or prevention.

The act is designed to help attract and retain local county jailers by ensuring the same benefits provided to other individuals with protective occupation status under WRS, such as earlier retirement at 50 years old and receiving duty disability benefits.