130th Ohio General Assembly
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Am. S. B. No. 206  As Passed by the Senate
As Passed by the Senate

126th General Assembly
Regular Session
2005-2006
Am. S. B. No. 206


Senators Coughlin, Fedor, Armbruster, Hagan, Harris, Niehaus, Schuring, Spada, Kearney, Mumper, Fingerhut, Stivers 



A BILL
To amend sections 742.63, 5505.12, and 5505.18 and to enact sections 5505.50 to 5505.59 of the Revised Code to provide for the establishment of the State Highway Patrol Retirement System deferred retirement option plan.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 742.63, 5505.12, and 5505.18 be amended and sections 5505.50, 5505.51, 5505.52, 5505.53, 5505.54, 5505.55, 5505.56, 5505.57, 5505.58, and 5505.59 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 742.63.  The board of trustees of the Ohio police and fire pension fund shall adopt rules for the management of the Ohio public safety officers death benefit fund and for disbursements of benefits as set forth in this section.
(A) As used in this section:
(1) "Member" means all of the following:
(a) A member of the Ohio police and fire pension fund, including a member of the fund who has elected to participate in the deferred retirement option plan established under section 742.43 of the Revised Code or a member of or contributor to a police or firemen's relief and pension fund established under former Chapter 521. or 741. of the Revised Code;
(b) A member of the state highway patrol retirement system, including a member who is participating in the deferred retirement option plan established under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code;
(c) A member of the public employees retirement system who at the time of the member's death was one of the following:
(i) A county sheriff or deputy sheriff;
(ii) A full-time regular police officer in a municipal corporation or township;
(iii) A full-time regular firefighter employed by the state, an instrumentality of the state, a municipal corporation, a township, a joint fire district, or another political subdivision;
(iv) A full-time park district ranger or patrol trooper;
(v) A full-time law enforcement officer of the department of natural resources;
(vi) A full-time department of public safety enforcement agent;
(vii) A full-time law enforcement officer of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of a municipal corporation;
(viii) A full-time law enforcement officer of a conservancy district;
(ix) A correction officer at an institution under the control of a county, a group of counties, a municipal corporation, or the department of rehabilitation and correction;
(x) A state university law enforcement officer.
(d) A member of a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation who at the time of death was a full-time law enforcement officer of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of the municipal corporation.
(2) Notwithstanding section 742.01 of the Revised Code, "fire or police department" includes a fire department of the state or an instrumentality of the state or of a municipal corporation, township, joint fire district, or other political subdivision, the state highway patrol, a county sheriff's office, the security force of an institution under the control of the department of rehabilitation and correction, the security force of a jail or workhouse under the control of a county, group of counties, or municipal corporation, the security force of a metropolitan, county, or township park district, the security force of lands under the control of the department of natural resources, department of public safety enforcement agents, the security force of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of a municipal corporation, the security force of a conservancy district, the police department of a township or municipal corporation, and the police force of a state university.
(3) "Firefighter or police officer" includes a state highway patrol trooper, a county sheriff or deputy sheriff, a correction officer at an institution under the control of a county, a group of counties, a municipal corporation, or the department of rehabilitation and correction, a police officer employed by a township or municipal corporation, a firefighter employed by the state, an instrumentality of the state, a municipal corporation, a township, a joint fire district, or another political subdivision, a full-time park district ranger or patrol trooper, a full-time law enforcement officer of the department of natural resources, a full-time department of public safety enforcement agent, a full-time law enforcement officer of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of a municipal corporation, a full-time law enforcement officer of a conservancy district, and a state university law enforcement officer.
(4) "Correction officer" includes, in addition to any correction officer, any correction corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, or captain, and the equivalents of all such persons.
(5) "A park district ranger or patrol trooper" means a peace officer commissioned to make arrests, execute warrants, and preserve the peace upon lands under the control of a board of park commissioners of a metropolitan, county, or township park district.
(6) "Metropolitan, county, or township park district" means a park district created under the authority of Chapter 511. or 1545. of the Revised Code.
(7) "Conservancy district" means a conservancy district created under the authority of Chapter 6101. of the Revised Code.
(8) "Law enforcement officer" means an officer commissioned to make arrests, execute warrants, and preserve the peace upon lands under the control of the governmental entity granting the commission.
(9) "Department of natural resources law enforcement officer" includes a forest officer designated pursuant to section 1503.29 of the Revised Code, a preserve officer designated pursuant to section 1517.10 of the Revised Code, a wildlife officer designated pursuant to section 1531.13 of the Revised Code, a park officer designated pursuant to section 1541.10 of the Revised Code, and a state watercraft officer designated pursuant to section 1547.521 of the Revised Code.
(10) "Retirement eligibility date" means the last day of the month in which a deceased member would have first become eligible, had the member lived, for the retirement pension provided under section 145.33, Chapter 521. or 741., division (C)(1) of section 742.37, or division (A)(1) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code or provided by a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation.
(11) "Death benefit amount" means an amount equal to the full monthly salary received by a deceased member prior to death, minus an amount equal to the benefit received under section 145.45, 742.37, 742.3714, or 5505.17 of the Revised Code or the benefit received from a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation, plus any increases in salary that would have been granted the deceased member.
(12) "Killed in the line of duty" means either of the following:
(a) Death in the line of duty;
(b) Death from injury sustained in the line of duty, including heart attack or other fatal injury or illness caused while in the line of duty.
(B) A spouse of a deceased member shall receive a death benefit each month equal to the full death benefit amount, provided that the deceased member was a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty and there are no surviving children eligible for a benefit under this section. The spouse shall receive this benefit during the spouse's natural life until the deceased member's retirement eligibility date, on which date the benefit provided under this division shall terminate.
(C)(1) If a member killed in the line of duty as a firefighter or police officer is survived only by a child or children, the child or children shall receive a benefit each month equal to the full death benefit amount. If there is more than one surviving child, the benefit shall be divided equally among these children.
(2) If the death benefit paid under this division is divided among two or more surviving children and any of the children become ineligible to continue receiving a portion of the benefit as provided in division (H) of this section, the full death benefit amount shall be paid to the remaining eligible child or divided among the eligible children so that the benefit paid to the remaining eligible child or children equals the full death benefit amount.
(3) Notwithstanding divisions (C)(1) and (2) of this section, all death benefits paid under this division shall terminate on the deceased member's retirement eligibility date.
(D) If a member killed in the line of duty as a firefighter or police officer is survived by both a spouse and a child or children, the monthly benefit provided shall be as follows:
(1)(a) If there is a surviving spouse and one surviving child, the spouse shall receive an amount each month equal to one-half of the full death benefit amount and the child shall receive an amount equal to one-half of the full death benefit amount.
(b) If the surviving spouse dies or the child becomes ineligible as provided in division (H) of this section, the surviving spouse or child remaining eligible shall receive the full death benefit amount.
(2)(a) If there is a surviving spouse and more than one child, the spouse shall receive an amount each month equal to one-third of the full death benefit amount and the children shall receive an amount, equally divided among them, equal to two-thirds of the full death benefit amount.
(b) If a spouse and more than one child each are receiving a death benefit under division (D)(2)(a) of this section and the spouse dies, the children shall receive an amount each month, equally divided among them, equal to the full death benefit amount.
(c) If a spouse and more than one child each are receiving a benefit under division (D)(2)(a) of this section and any of the children becomes ineligible to receive a benefit as provided in division (H) of this section, the spouse and remaining eligible child or children shall receive a death benefit as follows:
(i) If there are two or more remaining eligible children, the spouse shall receive an amount each month equal to one-third of the full death benefit amount and the children shall receive an amount each month, equally divided among them, equal to two-thirds of the full death benefit amount;
(ii) If there is one remaining eligible child, the spouse shall receive an amount each month equal to one-half of the full death benefit amount, and the child shall receive an amount each month equal to one-half of the full death benefit amount.
(d) If a spouse and more than one child each are receiving a benefit under division (D)(2)(a) of this section and all of the children become ineligible to receive a benefit as provided in division (H) of this section, the spouse shall receive the full death benefit amount.
(3) Notwithstanding divisions (D)(1) and (2) of this section, death benefits paid under this division to a surviving spouse shall terminate on the member's retirement eligibility date. Death benefits paid to a surviving child or children shall terminate on the deceased member's retirement eligibility date unless earlier terminated pursuant to division (H) of this section.
(E) If a member, on or after January 1, 1980, is killed in the line of duty as a firefighter or police officer and is survived by only a parent or parents dependent upon the member for support, the parent or parents shall receive an amount each month equal to the full death benefit amount. If there is more than one surviving parent dependent upon the deceased member for support, the death benefit amount shall be divided equally among the surviving parents. On the death of one of the surviving parents, the full death benefit amount shall be paid to the other parent.
(F)(1) The following shall receive a monthly death benefit under this division:
(a) A surviving spouse whose benefits are terminated in accordance with division (B) or (D)(3) of this section on the deceased member's retirement eligibility date, or who would qualify for a benefit under division (B) or (D) of this section except that the deceased member reached the member's retirement eligibility date prior to the member's death;
(b) A qualified surviving spouse of a deceased member of or contributor to a police or firemen's relief and pension fund established under former Chapter 521. or 741. of the Revised Code who was a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty.
(2) The monthly death benefit shall be one-half of an amount equal to the monthly salary received by the deceased member prior to the member's death, plus any salary increases the deceased member would have received prior to the member's retirement eligibility date. The benefit shall terminate on the surviving spouse's death. A death benefit payable under this division shall be reduced by an amount equal to any allowance or benefit payable to the surviving spouse under section 742.3714 of the Revised Code.
(3) A benefit granted to a surviving spouse under division (F)(1)(b) of this section shall commence on the first day of the month immediately following receipt by the board of a completed application on a form provided by the board and any evidence the board may require to establish that the deceased spouse was killed in the line of duty.
(G)(1) If there is not a surviving spouse eligible to receive a death benefit under division (F) of this section or the surviving spouse receiving a death benefit under that division dies, a surviving child or children whose benefits under division (C) or (D) of this section are or have been terminated pursuant to division (C)(3) or (D)(3) of this section or who would qualify for a benefit under division (C) or (D) of this section except that the deceased member reached the member's retirement eligibility date prior to the member's death shall receive a monthly death benefit under this division. The monthly death benefit shall be one-half of an amount equal to the monthly salary received by the deceased member prior to the member's death, plus any salary increases the member would have received prior to the member's retirement eligibility date. If there is more than one surviving child, the benefit shall be divided equally among the surviving children.
(2) If two or more surviving children each are receiving a benefit under this division and any of those children becomes ineligible to continue receiving a benefit as provided in division (H) of this section, the remaining eligible child or children shall receive an amount equal to one-half of the monthly salary received by the deceased member prior to death, plus any salary increases the deceased member would have received prior to the retirement eligibility date. If there is more than one remaining eligible child, the benefit shall be divided equally among the eligible children.
(3) A death benefit, or portion of a death benefit, payable to a surviving child under this division shall be reduced by an amount equal to any allowance or benefit payable to that child under section 742.3714 of the Revised Code, but the reduction in that child's benefit shall not affect the amount payable to any other surviving child entitled to a portion of the death benefit.
(H) A death benefit paid to a surviving child under division (C), (D), or (G) of this section shall terminate on the death of the child or, unless one of the following is the case, when the child reaches age eighteen:
(1) The child, because of physical or mental disability, is unable to provide the child's own support, in which case the death benefit shall terminate when the disability is removed;
(2) The child is unmarried, under age twenty-two, and a student in and attending an institution of learning or training pursuant to a program designed to complete in each school year the equivalent of at least two-thirds of the full-time curriculum requirements of the institution, as determined by the trustees of the fund.
(I) Acceptance of any death benefit under this section does not prohibit a spouse or child from receiving other benefits provided under the Ohio police and fire pension fund, the state highway patrol retirement system, the public employees retirement system, or a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation.
(J) No person shall receive a benefit under this section if any of the following occur:
(1) The person fails to exercise the right to a monthly survivor benefit under division (A) or (B) of section 145.45, division (D), (E), or (F) of section 742.37, or division (A)(3), (4), or (7) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code; to a monthly survivor benefit from a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation; or to a retirement allowance under section 742.3714 of the Revised Code.
(2) The member's accumulated contributions under this chapter or Chapter 145. or 5505. of the Revised Code are refunded unless the member had been a member of the public employees retirement system and had fewer than eighteen months of total service credit at the time of death.
(3) In the case of a full-time park district ranger or patrol trooper, a full-time law enforcement officer of the department of natural resources, a full-time law enforcement officer of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of a municipal corporation, a full-time law enforcement officer of a conservancy district, a correction officer at an institution under the control of a county, group of counties, or municipal corporation, or a member of a retirement system operated by a municipal corporation who at the time of the member's death was a full-time law enforcement officer of parks, waterway lands, or reservoir lands under the control of the municipal corporation, the member died prior to April 9, 1981, in the case of a benefit under division (B), (C), or (D) of this section, or prior to January 1, 1980, in the case of a benefit under division (E) of this section.
(4) In the case of a full-time department of public safety enforcement agent who prior to June 30, 1999, was a liquor control investigator of the department of public safety, the member died prior to December 23, 1986;
(5) In the case of a full-time department of public safety enforcement agent other than an enforcement agent who, prior to June 30, 1999, was a liquor control investigator, the member died prior to June 30, 1999.
(K) A surviving spouse whose benefit was terminated prior to June 30, 1999, due to remarriage shall receive a benefit under division (B), (D), or (F) of this section beginning on the first day of the month following receipt by the board of an application on a form provided by the board. The benefit amount shall be determined as of that date.
(1) If the benefit will begin prior to the deceased member's retirement eligibility date, it shall be paid under division (B) or (D) of this section and shall terminate as provided in those divisions. A benefit paid to a surviving spouse under division (D) of this section shall be determined in accordance with that division, even if benefits paid to surviving children are reduced as a result.
(2) If the benefit will begin on or after the deceased member's retirement eligibility date, it shall be paid under division (F) of this section and shall terminate as provided in that division. A benefit paid to a surviving spouse under division (F) of this section shall be determined in accordance with that division, even if benefits paid to surviving children are terminated as a result.
Sec. 5505.12.  (A) The state highway patrol retirement board shall have prepared annually by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial valuation of the pension assets, liabilities, and funding requirements of the state highway patrol retirement system as established pursuant to this chapter. The actuary shall complete the valuation in accordance with actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries and prepare a report of the valuation. The report shall include all of the following:
(1) A summary of the benefit provisions evaluated;
(2) A summary of the census data and financial information used in the valuation;
(3) A description of the actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost method, and asset valuation method used in the valuation, including a statement of the assumed rate of payroll growth and assumed rate of growth or decline in the number of members contributing to the retirement system;
(4) A summary of findings that includes a statement of the actuarial accrued pension liabilities and unfunded actuarial accrued pension liabilities;
(5) A schedule showing the effect of any changes in the benefit provisions, actuarial assumptions, or cost methods since the last annual actuarial valuation;
(6) A statement of whether contributions to the retirement system are expected to be sufficient to satisfy the funding objectives established by the board.
The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the first day of July following the year for which the valuation was made.
(B) At such times as the state highway patrol retirement board determines, and at least once in each five-year period after January 1, 1966, the board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial investigation of the mortality, service, and other experience of the members, retirants, and beneficiaries to update the actuarial assumptions used in the actuarial valuation required by division (A) of this section. The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial investigation. The report shall be prepared and any recommended changes in actuarial assumptions shall be made in accordance with the actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries. The report shall include all of the following:
(1) A summary of relevant decrement and economic assumption experience observed over the period of the investigation;
(2) Recommended changes in actuarial assumptions to be used in subsequent actuarial valuations required by division (A) of this section;
(3) A measurement of the financial effect of the recommended changes in actuarial assumptions;
(4) If the investigation required by this division includes the investigation required by division (F) of this section, a report of the result of that investigation.
The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the first day of November following the last fiscal year of the period the report covers.
(C) The board may at any time request the actuary to make any studies or actuarial valuations to determine the adequacy of the rates of contributions provided by section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.
(D) The board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial analysis of any introduced legislation expected to have a measurable financial impact on the retirement system. The actuarial analysis shall be completed in accordance with the actuarial standards of practice promulgated by the actuarial standards board of the American academy of actuaries. The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial analysis, which shall include all of the following:
(1) A summary of the statutory changes that are being evaluated;
(2) A description of or reference to the actuarial assumptions and actuarial cost method used in the report;
(3) A description of the participant group or groups included in the report;
(4) A statement of the financial impact of the legislation, including the resulting increase, if any, in the employer normal cost percentage; the increase, if any, in actuarial accrued liabilities; and the per cent of payroll that would be required to amortize the increase in actuarial accrued liabilities as a level per cent of covered payroll for all active members over a period not to exceed thirty years;
(5) A statement of whether the scheduled contributions to the system after the proposed change is enacted are expected to be sufficient to satisfy the funding objectives established by the board.
Not later than sixty days from the date of introduction of the legislation, the board shall submit a copy of the actuarial analysis to the legislative service commission, the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation, and the Ohio retirement study council.
(E) The board shall have prepared annually a report giving a full accounting of the revenues and costs relating to the provision of benefits under section 5505.28 of the Revised Code. The report shall be made as of December 31, 1997, and the thirty-first day of December of each year thereafter. The report shall include the following:
(1) A description of the statutory authority for the benefits provided;
(2) A summary of the benefits;
(3) A summary of the eligibility requirements for the benefits;
(4) A statement of the number of participants eligible for the benefits;
(5) A description of the accounting, asset valuation, and funding method used to provide the benefits;
(6) A statement of the net assets available for the provision of the benefits as of the last day of the fiscal year;
(7) A statement of any changes in the net assets available for the provision of benefits, including participant and employer contributions, net investment income, administrative expenses, and benefits provided to participants, as of the last day of the fiscal year;
(8) For the last six consecutive fiscal years, a schedule of the net assets available for the benefits, the annual cost of benefits, administrative expenses incurred, and annual employer contributions allocated for the provision of benefits;
(9) A description of any significant changes that affect the comparability of the report required under this division;
(10) A statement of the amount paid under division (B) of section 5505.28 of the Revised Code.
The board shall submit the report to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the thirtieth day of June following the year for which the report was made.
(F) At least once in each five-year period, the board shall have prepared by or under the supervision of an actuary an actuarial investigation of the deferred retirement option plan established under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code. The investigation shall include an examination of the financial impact, if any, on the retirement system of offering the plan to members.
The actuary shall prepare a report of the actuarial investigation. The report shall include a determination of whether the plan, as established or modified, has a negative financial impact on the retirement system and, if so, recommendations on how to modify the plan to eliminate the negative financial impact. If the actuarial report indicates that the plan has a negative financial impact on the retirement system, the board shall modify the plan. If the board modifies the plan, the rights and obligations of members who have already elected to participate shall not be altered.
The state's contributions to the employer accumulation fund shall not be increased to offset any negative financial impact of the deferred retirement option plan.
The board may include the actuarial investigation required under this division as part of the actuarial investigation required under division (B) of this section. If the report of the actuarial investigation required by this division is not included in the report required by division (B) of this section, the board shall submit the report required by this division to the Ohio retirement study council and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate with primary responsibility for retirement legislation not later than the first day of November following the last fiscal year of the period the report covers.
Sec. 5505.18.  As used in this section, "member" does not include state highway patrol cadets attending training schools pursuant to section 5503.05 of the Revised Code.
(A) Upon the application of a member of the state highway patrol retirement system, a person acting on behalf of a member, or the superintendent of the state highway patrol on behalf of a member, a member who becomes totally and permanently incapacitated for duty in the employ of the state highway patrol may be retired by the board.
The medical or psychological examination of a member who has applied for disability retirement shall be conducted by a competent health-care professional or professionals appointed by the board. The health-care professional or professionals shall file a written report with the board containing the following information:
(1) Whether the member is totally incapacitated for duty in the employ of the patrol;
(2) Whether the incapacity is expected to be permanent;
(3) The cause of the member's incapacity.
The board shall determine whether the member qualifies for disability retirement and its decision shall be final. The board shall consider the written medical or psychological report, opinions, statements, and other competent evidence in making its determination. If the incapacity is a result of heart disease or any cardiovascular disease of a chronic nature, which disease or any evidence of which was not revealed by the physical examination passed by the member on entry into the patrol, the member is presumed to have incurred the disease in the line of duty as a member of the patrol, unless the contrary is shown by competent evidence.
(B)(1) A Except as provided under division (A) of section 5505.58 of the Revised Code, a member whose retirement on account of disability incurred in the line of duty shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, except that if the member has less than twenty-five years of contributing service, the member's service credit shall be deemed to be twenty-five years for the purpose of this provision. In no case shall the member's disability pension be less than sixty-one and one-quarter per cent or exceed the lesser of seventy-nine and one-quarter per cent of the member's final average salary or the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.
(2) A Except as provided under division (B) of section 5505.58 of the Revised Code, a member whose retirement on account of disability incurred not in the line of duty shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, except that if the member has less than twenty years of contributing service, the member's service credit shall be deemed to be twenty years for the purpose of this provision. In no case shall the member's disability pension exceed the lesser of seventy-nine and one-quarter per cent of the member's final average salary or the limit established by section 415 of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.
(C) The state highway patrol retirement board shall adopt rules requiring a disability pension recipient, as a condition of continuing to receive a disability pension, to agree in writing to obtain any medical or psychological treatment recommended by the board's health-care professional and submit medical or psychological reports regarding the treatment. If the board determines that a disability pension recipient is not obtaining the medical or psychological treatment or the board does not receive a required medical or psychological report, the disability pension shall be suspended until the treatment is obtained, the report is received by the board, or the board's health-care professional certifies that the treatment is no longer helpful or advisable. Should the recipient's failure to obtain treatment or submit a medical or psychological report continue for one year, the recipient's right to the disability benefit shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.
(D) A member placed on a disability pension who has not attained the age of fifty-five sixty years shall be subject to an annual medical or psychological re-examination by health-care professionals appointed by the board, except that the board may waive the re-examination if the board's health-care professionals certify that the member's disability is ongoing. If any member placed on a disability pension refuses to submit to a medical or psychological re-examination, the member's disability pension shall be suspended until the member withdraws the refusal. If the refusal continues for one year, all the member's rights under and to the disability pension shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.
(E) Each recipient of a disability pension who has not attained the age of fifty-five sixty years shall file with the board an annual statement of earnings, current medical or psychological information on the recipient's condition, and any other information required in rules adopted by the board. The board may waive the requirement that a disability benefit recipient file an annual statement of earnings or current medical or psychological information if the board's health-care professional certifies that the recipient's disability is ongoing.
The board shall annually examine the information submitted by the recipient. If a recipient refuses to file the statement or information, the disability pension shall be suspended until the statement and information are filed. If the refusal continues for one year, the right to the pension shall be terminated as of the effective date of the original suspension.
(F)(1) Except as provided in division (F)(2) of this section, a retirant who has been on disability pension, and who has been physically or psychologically examined and found no longer incapable of performing the retirant's duties, shall be restored to the rank the retirant held at the time the retirant was pensioned and all previous rights shall be restored, including the retirant's civil service status, and the disability pension shall terminate. Upon return to employment in the patrol, the retirant shall again become a contributing member of the retirement system, the total service at the time of the retirant's retirement shall be restored to the retirant's credit, and the retirant shall be given service credit for the period the retirant was in receipt of a disability pension. The provisions of division (F)(1) of this section shall be retroactive to September 5, 1941.
(2) The state highway patrol is not required to take action under division (F)(1) of this section if the retirant was dismissed or resigned in lieu of dismissal for dishonesty, misfeasance, malfeasance, or conviction of a felony.
(G) The board may adopt rules to carry out this section, including rules that specify the types of health-care professionals the board may appoint for the purpose of this section.
Sec. 5505.50.  The state highway patrol retirement board shall establish and administer a deferred retirement option plan. In establishing and administering the plan, the board shall comply with sections 5505.51 to 5505.59 of the Revised Code and may do all things necessary to meet the requirements of section 401(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," (26 U.S.C. 401(a)) as amended, applicable to governmental plans.
The board shall adopt rules to implement this section and sections 5505.51 to 5505.59 of the Revised Code. The rules shall specify the date of initial implementation of the plan established under this section. The rules may also specify a period during which an election made under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code may be rescinded.
Sec. 5505.51. A state highway patrol retirement system member who meets the following requirements may, at any time prior to applying for a pension under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, elect to participate in the deferred retirement option plan established under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code:
(1) The member is younger than fifty-eight years of age.
(2) The member is eligible to apply for a pension under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code, unless the pension is a reduced pension as described in division (B) of that section.
The member shall make the election by filing with the retirement system an election form provided by the system. The election is effective on the day the member files the election form.
At the time of making the election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the member also shall make an election under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code. Except as provided in that section, the election under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code is irrevocable from the date it is received by the retirement system.
A member electing to participate in the deferred retirement option plan must agree to terminate active service in the state highway patrol and begin receiving the member's pension not later than the earlier of the member's sixtieth birthday or the date that is eight years after the effective date of the election to participate in the plan. If the member refuses or neglects to terminate active service in accordance with the agreement, the state highway patrol retirement board shall deem the member's service terminated.
A member electing to participate in the deferred retirement option plan is a retirant for the purposes of rules adopted by the state highway patrol retirement board.
Sec. 5505.52. (A) A member who makes an election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code shall continue in the active service of the state highway patrol but shall not earn service credit under this chapter for employment after the election's effective date. While the member is in the active service of the state highway patrol, the member shall contribute, and the state shall contribute and report, to the state highway patrol retirement system in accordance with section 5505.15 of the Revised Code.
On and after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the member is ineligible to purchase service credit under this chapter.
Neither the member nor the member's spouse and dependents are eligible for any benefit under section 5505.28 of the Revised Code while the member is participating in the deferred retirement option plan.
(B) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan is eligible to vote in elections for the retirant members of the state highway patrol retirement system board, but not eligible to vote in elections for the employee members of the board.
Sec. 5505.53.  For each member who elects to participate in the deferred retirement option plan, the state highway patrol retirement system shall determine the member's pension amount under section 5505.17 of the Revised Code. In determining the pension amount, the retirement system shall use the member's total service credit and final average salary as of the last day of the employer's payroll period immediately prior to the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan. The pension amount shall be calculated using the election made by the member under section 5505.162 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5505.54.  (A) During the period beginning on the effective date of an election to participate in the deferred retirement option plan and ending on the date participation ceases, a member's monthly pension amount determined under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code shall accrue to the member's benefit. To this amount shall be added any benefit increases the member would be eligible for under section 5505.174 of the Revised Code had the member, on the effective date of the member's election, retired under section 5505.16 of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) The amounts contributed under section 5505.15 of the Revised Code by a member participating in the deferred retirement option plan shall accrue to the member's benefit.
(2) The state highway patrol retirement system shall credit to the employer's accumulation fund the amounts contributed by the state under section 5505.15 of the Revised Code on behalf of a member participating in the deferred retirement option plan.
(C) During the period beginning on the election's effective date and ending on the date the member ceases participation in the plan, the amounts described in divisions (A) and (B)(1) of this section shall earn interest at an annual rate established by the state highway patrol retirement board and compounded annually using a method established by rule adopted under section 5505.50 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 5505.55.  A member's participation in the deferred retirement option plan ceases on the occurrence of the earliest of the following:
(A) Termination of the member's active service in the state highway patrol;
(B) The last day of the eight-year period that begins on the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan;
(C) The member's sixtieth birthday;
(D) Acceptance by the member of a disability benefit awarded by the state highway patrol retirement board under section 5505.18 of the Revised Code;
(E) The member's death.
Sec. 5505.56. (A) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who terminates active service in the state highway patrol shall notify the state highway patrol retirement system of the date of termination on a form prescribed by the retirement system. The member is not eligible to make another election under section 5505.51 of the Revised Code.
(B)(1) With regard to a member who was younger than age fifty-two on the effective date of the election to participate in the plan, if the date of termination of the member's active service occurs on or after the first day of the fourth year after the effective date of the election, the entire amount that has accrued to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan shall be distributed to the member pursuant to the member's selection under section 5505.57 of the Revised Code.
If the date of termination occurs earlier than four years after the effective date of the election to participate, the member shall forfeit the interest credited under division (C) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code.
(2) With regard to a member who, on the effective date of the election to participate in the plan, was age fifty-two or older, if the date of termination of the member's active service occurs on or after the first day of the third year after the effective date of the election, the entire amount that has accrued to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan shall be distributed to the member pursuant to the member's selection under section 5505.57 of the Revised Code.
If the termination of active service occurs earlier than three years after the effective date of the election to participate, the member shall forfeit the interest credited under division (C) of section 5505.54 of the Revised Code.
(C) Once a member ceases participation in the deferred retirement option plan as described in division (A), (B), or (C) of section 5505.55 of the Revised Code, the member's monthly pension amount determined under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the member, commencing the day following the member's last day of active service in the state highway patrol.
Sec. 5505.57. (A) On ceasing participation in the deferred retirement option plan as described in division (A), (B), or (C) of section 5505.55 of the Revised Code, a member shall select as the method of distribution of the amount accrued to the member under the plan one of the distribution options provided under section 401(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," (26 U.S.C. 401(a)) as amended, applicable to governmental plans.
(B) The retirement system shall distribute the amount accrued to a member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan as follows:
(1) For a member who was younger than fifty-two years of age on the date of the election to participate in the plan, distribution shall not commence until the first day of the fourth year after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan.
(2) For a member who was fifty-two years of age or older on the date of the election to participate in the plan, distribution shall not commence until the first day of the third year after the effective date of the member's election to participate in the plan.
Sec. 5505.58. (A) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who qualifies for disability retirement under division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code shall elect to receive one of the following:
(1) The applicable pension provided for in section 5505.53 of the Revised Code, plus any amounts that have accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan.
(2) The disability pension provided for by division (B)(1) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code. Acceptance of a disability pension requires forfeiture of all amounts accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan, and those amounts shall be treated as if the member had continued in the active service of the state highway patrol and not participated in the plan. The member shall be granted service credit for the period the member was participating in the plan.
(B) A member participating in the deferred retirement option plan who qualifies for disability retirement under division (B)(2) of section 5505.18 of the Revised Code shall receive the applicable pension provided for in section 5505.53 of the Revised Code, plus any amounts that have accrued under section 5505.54 of the Revised Code to the member's benefit under the deferred retirement option plan.
Sec. 5505.59. If a member dies while participating in the deferred retirement option plan, all of the following apply:
(A) The amounts accrued to the member's benefit shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, the beneficiary designated by the member on a form provided by the state highway patrol retirement system. If there is no surviving spouse or designated beneficiary, the amounts accrued to the member's benefit shall be paid to the member's estate.
Any payment made under this division shall be made in the form of a single lump sum payment.
(B) The surviving spouse and, if eligible, each surviving child, shall receive a pension as described in division (A)(3)(b)(iii) or (4) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code, utilizing the pension amount calculated under section 5505.53 of the Revised Code.
(C) If the member has no surviving spouse or surviving children, but has a parent or parents dependent on the member for support, the parent or parents shall receive a pension determined under division (A)(7) of section 5505.17 of the Revised Code.
(D) The lump sum payment described in section 5505.30 of the Revised Code shall be paid to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, to the member's estate.
Section 2. That existing sections 742.63, 5505.12, and 5505.18 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
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