(a) The governing body of any local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers may, by resolution legally adopted to conform to the rules prescribed by the Board of Control of the Teachers' Retirement System, elect to have its officers and employees, from whatever source and in whatever manner paid, become eligible to participate in the Teachers' Retirement System subject to all rules, regulations, and conditions thereof.

(b) The governing body of any local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers eligible under subsection (a) to participate in the system, and having made an election by resolution to participate, may have its employees and officers participate in, and be entitled to, all benefits of the Teachers' Retirement System, provided that where contributions are made from salaries paid by a local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers, the local union or state organization shall pay the employer cost in accordance with Section 16-25-21, at the same time as the member's contributions are paid to the Teachers' Retirement System.

(c) The governing body of any local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers eligible under subsection (a) to participate in the system, may provide in its resolution to the Board of Control of the Teachers' Retirement System that all service rendered by an eligible employee or officer to the local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers prior to the effective date of the election of the local union or state organization to come under the Teachers' Retirement System shall be creditable service to the employee or officer, provided that such a provision in the resolution shall apply only to the local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers on the effective date of the election of the local union or state organization to be covered under the Teachers' Retirement System. The resolution also shall state that the local union or state organization of the American Federation of Teachers shall assume, and pay as required, all costs necessary to fund the crediting of the prior service, with the costs to be determined by the actuary employed by the Board of Control of the Teachers' Retirement System.

(d) The provisions of this section may not apply to any person who is not a teacher.