(A) In addition to or in lieu of providing benefits to township officers and employees under section 505.60, 505.601, or 505.602 of the Revised Code, a board of township trustees may offer benefits to officers and employees through a cafeteria plan that meets the requirements of section 125 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 125, as amended, after first adopting a policy authorizing an officer or employee to receive a cash payment in lieu of a benefit otherwise offered to township officers or employees under any of those sections, but only if the cash payment does not exceed twenty-five per cent of the cost of premiums or payments that otherwise would be paid by the board for benefits for the officer or employee under an offered policy, contract, or plan. No cash payment in lieu of a benefit shall be made pursuant to this section unless the officer or employee signs a statement affirming that the officer or employee is covered under another health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan in the case of a health benefit, or a life insurance policy in the case of a life insurance benefit, and setting forth the name of the employer, if any, that sponsors the coverage, the name of the carrier that provides the coverage, and an identifying number of the applicable policy, contract, or plan.

(B) In addition to providing the benefits to township officers and employees under section 505.60, 505.601, or 505.602 of the Revised Code, a board of township trustees may offer a health and wellness benefit program through which the township provides a benefit or incentive to township officers, employees, and their immediate dependents to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including, but not limited to, programs to encourage healthy eating and nutrition, exercise and physical activity, weight control or the elimination of obesity, and cessation of smoking or alcohol use.

(C) The township fiscal officer may deduct from a township employee's salary or wages the amount authorized to be paid by the employee for one or more qualified benefits available under section 125 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 26 U.S.C. 125, and under the sections listed in division (B) of this section, if the employee authorizes in writing that the township fiscal officer may deduct that amount from the employee's salary or wages, and the benefit is offered to the employee on a group basis and at least ten per cent of the township employees voluntarily elect to participate in the receipt of that benefit. The township fiscal officer may issue warrants for amounts deducted under this division to pay program administrators or other insurers for benefits authorized under this section or those sections listed in division (B) of this section.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.141, HB 509, §1, eff. 9/28/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.64, HB 225, §1, eff. 3/22/2012.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 6/30/2011.

Effective Date: 06-06-2000 .