Allow employers to purchase health care coverage for their active employees through the PERA Health Care Program. Governor Owens signed HB 1080 into law on February 19. As established by Colorado State law, PERA members are able to purchase service credit for previous employment not covered by PERA, including service for any U.S. private employer. The federal Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 incorporated provisions clarifying that section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code does not limit the purchase of service credit for public employees who first became members prior to January 1, 1999. No more than five years of nonqualified service may be purchased.
Nonqualified service includes any private-sector employment.
Governmental service, K-12 public and private education service, military service, and service in an employee association is not limited for purchase of service. Likewise, reinstatements by PERA members of previously refunded PERA service are not limited. The resolution expresses the Colorado Legislature's opposition to any federal mandate for Social Security extension to state and local government employees. The resolution was passed by the Legislature on March 5. Restrictions on Mail Order Pharmacy Benefit Programs.