(A) The members of the public employees retirement board shall serve without compensation but shall suffer no loss or penalty whatsoever because of absence from their regular employment to attend meetings authorized and called by the board. The board members shall be reimbursed for all actual necessary expenses from the expense fund created under division (E) of section 145.23 of the Revised Code.

Any determination by the board that a meeting of the board, or any part of the board, is necessary shall be final.

(B) The board may secure insurance coverage designated to indemnify board members and employees for their actions or conduct in the performance of official duties, and may pay required premiums for such coverage from the expense fund.

(C) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code establishing a policy for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by board members in the performance of their official duties. As part of any audit performed under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, an inquiry shall be made into whether board members have complied with these rules.

(D) No board member shall accept payment or reimbursement for travel expenses, other than for meals and other food and beverages provided to the member, from any source other than the expense fund. Except in the case of an emergency, no out-of-state travel expenses shall be reimbursed unless approved in advance by a majority of the board at a regular board meeting.

Effective Date: 08-25-1995.