(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Long-term care insurance" has the same meaning as in section 3923.41 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Retirement systems" has the same meaning as in division (A) of section 145.581 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board of trustees of the Ohio police and fire pension fund may establish a program under which members of the fund, employers on behalf of members, and persons receiving service or disability pensions or survivor benefits are permitted to participate in contracts for long-term care insurance. Participation may include dependents and family members. If a participant in a contract for long-term care insurance leaves employment, the participant and the participant's dependents and family members may, at their election, continue to participate in a program established under this section in the same manner as if the participant had not left employment, except that no part of the cost of the insurance shall be paid by the participant's former employer.

Such program may be established independently or jointly with one or more of the other retirement systems.

(C) The fund may enter into an agreement with insurance companies, health insuring corporations, or government agencies authorized to do business in the state for issuance of a long-term care policy or contract. However, prior to entering into such an agreement with an insurance company or health insuring corporation, the fund shall request the superintendent of insurance to certify the financial condition of the company or corporation. The fund shall not enter into the agreement if, according to that certification, the company or corporation is insolvent, is determined by the superintendent to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, or is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction or under an order of supervision by the superintendent.

(D) The board may adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code governing the program. Any rules adopted by the board shall establish methods of payment for participation under this section, which may include establishment of a payroll deduction plan under section 742.56 of the Revised Code, deduction of the full premium charged from a person's service or disability pension or survivor benefit, or any other method of payment considered appropriate by the board. If the program is established jointly with one or more of the other retirement systems, the rules also shall establish the terms and conditions of such joint participation.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. TBD, SB 42, §1, eff. 3/23/2015.

Effective Date: 11-02-1999 .