To enact section 505.603 of the Revised Code to provide townships with the ability to offer cash payments, in lieu of otherwise offered health benefits or life insurance benefits, to their officers and employees through a "cafeteria plan" that meets Internal Revenue Code requirements.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Sec. 505.603. 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.