§ 16-17.1-2. Membership in a program. (a) All employees including those so employed on May 24, 1967, who have not been active members of the state employees retirement system, upon becoming eligible for membership in a program, shall be required to participate in the program.

(b)(1) All employees including those so employed on May 24, 1967, who become eligible for membership in a program, and who are active members of the state employees retirement system, are extended the option of continuing their active membership in the state employees retirement system or joining the program and retaining a limited membership in the state employees retirement system as set forth in this chapter and be eligible for a vested pension only as contained in this chapter. These limited members shall not be entitled to any other benefits or provisions.

(2) All employees who become eligible for membership in the program after July 1, 1967, shall make their election within sixty (60) days after they become eligible for participation in the program. All employees not exercising the option to join a program shall be deemed to have chosen to continue active membership in the state employees retirement system in lieu of exercising the option to participate under the program.

(c) Any employee who was a member of the program as an employee of the board, who subsequently enters the employees retirement system as a member by virtue of his or her employment, may have the option to purchase credit for any prior service with the board under the program, provided that he or she pays into the retirement system in a lump sum:

(1) The amount he or she would have contributed to the system had he or she been a member during his or her service, plus regular interest; and

(2) The amount of the state's contribution to the program for his or her service, plus regular interest; and

(3) Provided further that these payments shall be made within the employee's first year of membership in the retirement system.

History of Section. (P.L. 1967, ch. 152, § 3; P.L. 1973, ch. 20, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 246, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 106, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 547, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 37.)