reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-104 - Eligible Employees of Baltimore Metropolitan Council

The only employees of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council who are eligible to participate in the employees’ systems under this subtitle are those employees who were members of the Employees’ Retirement System or the Employees’ Pension System as employees of the Baltimore Regional Council of Governments on June 30, 1992.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-105 - Eligible Employees of Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority

The only employees of the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority who are eligible to participate in the Employees’ Pension System under this subtitle are the Executive Director and the regular full-time employees that are employed by the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority under § 13-1008(6) of the Financial Institutions Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-106 - Eligible Employees of Maryland Stadium Authority

The only employees of the Maryland Stadium Authority who are eligible to participate in the Employees’ Pension System under this subtitle are the Executive Director of the Stadium Authority and the regular full–time employees employed by the Maryland Stadium Authority under § 10–610 of the Economic Development Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-106.1 - Eligible Employees of Maryland African American Museum Corporation

The only employees of the Maryland African American Museum Corporation who are eligible to participate in the Employees’ Pension System under this subtitle are the Executive Director and the regular full-time employees employed by the Maryland African American Museum Corporation under § 9-2604 of the State Government Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-106.2 - Eligible Employees of St. Mary's Nursing Center, Inc

The only employees of the St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Inc. who are eligible to participate in the employees’ systems under this subtitle are those employees who were members of the Employees’ Retirement System or the Employees’ Pension System as employees of the St. Mary’s County Nursing Home on January 17, 1996.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-107 - Eligible Employees of University of Maryland Medical System Corporation

The only employees of the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation who are eligible to participate in the employees’ systems under this subtitle are employees who were:
(1)    members of an employees’ system; and
(2)    (i)    employees of the University of Maryland on June 30, 1988, who became Medical System Corporation employees on or before July 1, 1988;
(ii)    employees of the University of Maryland System on June 30, 1990, who voluntarily became Medical System Corporation employees on or before July 1, 1991; or
(iii)    Montebello University employees as defined in § 13-401(g) of the Education Article who were employees of the University of Maryland on June 30, 1992, and who became employees of the University of Maryland Medical System Corporation in accordance with § 13-404 of the Education Article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-108 - Employees of Worcester County

An employee of Worcester County is not eligible to participate in the employees’ systems under this subtitle if the employee:
(1)    is employed by Worcester County on July 1, 1994;
(2)    was an employee of the Worcester County Sanitary Commission on October 31, 1993; and
(3)    is a member of the Worcester County Sanitary District Pension Plan or its successor.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-109 - Approval of Participation; Request to Permit Participation

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the legislative body of an eligible governmental unit may approve participation by its employees in the Employees’ Pension System if:
(1)    the legislative body adopts a resolution in the form prescribed by the Board of Trustees; and
(2)    the eligible governmental unit operates a local plan, only if:
(i)    at least 60% of the members of the local plan petition to become members of the Employees’ Pension System;
(ii)    the eligible governmental unit satisfies the requirements in subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii)    the legislative body approves participation of the eligible governmental unit in the Employees’ Pension System as though the local plan were not in operation.
(b)    An eligible governmental unit that operates a local plan may approve participation by its employees in the Employees’ Pension System only if:
(1)    the local plan of the eligible governmental unit requires member contributions at the same rate as the member contribution rate that would be applicable to employees of the eligible governmental unit in the Employees’ Pension System; or
(2)    the eligible governmental unit:
(i)    does not provide for the employer pickup of member contributions to the local plan within the meaning of § 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(ii)    certifies that it will not become an approved employer under § 21–313 of this article on or after the effective date of participation.
(c)    (1)    If an eligible governmental unit does not satisfy the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, the eligible governmental unit may submit a request to the Board of Trustees to participate in the Employees’ Pension System.
(2)    The Board of Trustees shall consider a request made under paragraph (1) of this subsection and determine whether any legislation is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Employees’ Pension System.
(3)    The Board of Trustees shall make recommendations to the Joint Committee on Pensions regarding any legislation that it determines is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Employees’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-109.1 - Effective Date of Participation

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the effective date of participation for an eligible governmental unit is July 1 of the year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Employees’ Pension System.
(b)    If an eligible governmental unit does not provide the Board of Trustees with the necessary documentation to join the Employees’ Pension System on or before the effective date for the eligible governmental unit, the effective date shall be postponed until July 1 of the second year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Employees’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-110 - Membership in Employees' Retirement System

An employee who is a member of the Employees’ Retirement System may:
(1)    remain a member of the Employees’ Retirement System; or
(2)    transfer to the Employees’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111 - Credit for Service Before the Effective Date

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and §§ 31–111.1, 31–111.3, 31–111.4, 31–111.5, 31–111.6, 31–111.7, and 31–111.8 of this subtitle, if an employee of a participating governmental unit joins the Employees’ Pension System on the effective date, the employee is entitled to service credit for employment with the participating governmental unit before the effective date.
(b)    If an employee of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council elects to become a member of the Employees’ Retirement System or the Employees’ Pension System, the employee may not receive credit for service from July 1, 1992, to the effective date unless the employee pays to the Board of Trustees the amount of the member contributions the employee would have made during that period, plus regular interest.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.1 - Supportive Service Employee -- Kent County Board of Education

(a)    A supportive service employee of the Board of Education of Kent County shall receive service credit for service prior to the effective date in the amount of the employee’s credit, as certified by the Board of Education of Kent County as of the effective date.
(b)    If a supportive service employee or former supportive service employee of the Board of Education of Kent County becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the Board of Education for Kent County before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.2 - Employees -- Town of Oakland

(a)    An employee of the Town of Oakland who was an employee on June 30, 2000, and who remains an employee on June 30, 2003, shall receive additional service credit to equal the total eligibility service and creditable service accrued prior to the effective date that the Town of Oakland began participating in the Employees’ Pension System, as certified by the Town of Oakland.
(b)    If an employee or a former employee of the Town of Oakland becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date that the Town of Oakland began participating in the Employees’ Pension System, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the Town of Oakland before the effective date that the Town of Oakland began participating in the Employees’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.3 - Employees -- City of Frostburg

(a)    An individual who is an employee of the City of Frostburg on the effective date shall receive eligibility service and creditable service in the Employees’ Pension System equal to one-half of the individual’s period of employment with the City of Frostburg before the effective date, as certified by the City of Frostburg as of the effective date.
(b)    If an employee or former employee of the City of Frostburg becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the City of Frostburg before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.4 - Employees -- Town of Berwyn Heights

(a)    An individual who elects membership in the Employees’ Pension System under § 23–204(e) of this article and is an employee of the Town of Berwyn Heights on the effective date shall receive eligibility service and creditable service in the Employees’ Pension System equal to one–third of the individual’s period of employment with the Town of Berwyn Heights before the effective date, as certified by the Town of Berwyn Heights as of the effective date.
(b)    If an employee or former employee of the Town of Berwyn Heights becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the Town of Berwyn Heights before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.5 - Employees -- Town of Sykesville

(a)    (1)    An individual who is an employee of the Town of Sykesville on the effective date shall receive eligibility service and creditable service in the Employees’ Pension System equal to 75% of the individual’s period of employment with the Town of Sykesville before the effective date as certified by the Town of Sykesville as of the effective date.
(2)    (i)    This paragraph applies only to a member of the Employees’ Pension System who received eligibility service and creditable service in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(ii)    The Town of Sykesville may purchase additional service credit for each member so that the member’s eligibility service and creditable service for employment with the Town of Sykesville before the effective date of participation is equal to 100% of the member’s period of employment with the Town of Sykesville before the effective date of participation.
(iii)    Additional service credit purchased under this paragraph shall be credited to an employee on July 1 of the fiscal year in which the additional service credit is purchased.
(iv)    The new entrant valuation that is used to determine the employer contribution for the Town of Sykesville shall be adjusted in the fiscal year in which the purchase of service credit is made to reflect any change in liabilities attributable to the Town of Sykesville resulting from a purchase of service credit under this paragraph.
(b)    If an employee or former employee of the Town of Sykesville becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the Town of Sykesville before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.6 - Employees -- Town of University Park

(a)    An individual who is an employee of the Town of University Park on the effective date shall receive eligibility service and creditable service in the Employees’ Pension System equal to 70% of the individual’s period of employment with the Town of University Park before the effective date as certified by the Town of University Park as of the effective date.
(b)    If an employee or former employee of the Town of University Park becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the Town of University Park before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.7 - Employees -- Somerset County Economic Development Commission

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an employee of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission who was an employee on June 30, 2011, and who remains an employee through the effective date, shall receive additional service credit for eligibility service and creditable service accrued prior to the effective date that the Somerset County Economic Development Commission began participating in the Employees’ Pension System, as certified by the Somerset County Economic Development Commission.
(b)    Additional service credit under subsection (a) of this section shall be awarded only for time for which employee contributions were made to the Board of Trustees prior to the effective date that the Somerset County Economic Development Commission began participating in the Employees’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-111.8 - Employees -- City of College Park

(a)    An individual who elects membership in the Employees’ Pension System under § 23–204(f) of this article and is an employee of the City of College Park on the effective date shall receive eligibility service and creditable service  in the Employees’ Pension System equal to 60% of the individual’s period of employment with the City of College Park before the effective date as certified by the City of College Park as of the effective date.
(b)    If an employee or a former employee of the City of College Park becomes a member of the Employees’ Pension System at any time after the effective date, the employee may not receive service credit for employment with the City of College Park before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-112 - Benefits of Members

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, an employee of a participating governmental unit who is a member of one of the employees’ systems is entitled to the benefits to which State employees are entitled under that system.
(b)    (1)    An employee of a participating governmental unit that has elected to participate in:
(i)    the contributory pension benefit option under § 31-116 of this subtitle shall be subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part II of this article; or
(ii)    the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection under § 31-116.1 of this subtitle shall be subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article.
(2)    An employee of a participating governmental unit that has not elected to participate in:
(i)    the contributory pension benefit option under § 31-116 of this subtitle is not subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part II of this article; or
(ii)    the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection under § 31-116.1 of this subtitle is not subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-113 - Effect of Participation

(a)    This section applies only to a local plan that is a qualified plan under § 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides a defined benefit to its participants.
(b)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the operation of the local plan of an eligible governmental unit terminates on the effective date.
(c)    (1)    An eligible governmental unit may elect to continue to operate a local plan after the effective date of participation in the Employees’ Pension System to provide benefits to an individual who:
(i)    is receiving benefits from the local plan;
(ii)    is eligible to receive benefits from the local plan on account of the individual’s previous employment by the eligible governmental unit; or
(iii)    did not elect to join the Employees’ Pension System under § 23–204(a) of this article.
(2)    An individual may not be enrolled in the local plan of a participating governmental unit electing to continue to operate its local plan under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the individual becomes employed or is rehired by the participating governmental unit on or after the effective date of participation of the participating governmental unit in the Employees’ Pension System.
(d)    The liability for the continuation of benefits under subsection (c) of this section shall be included in the computation of the special accrued liability as provided by § 21–305.3 of this article.
(e)    (1)    On the effective date:
(i)    the assets to the credit of the local plan of the participating governmental unit that are attributable to the employees of the participating governmental unit who elect to become members of the Employees’ Pension System under § 23–204(a) of this article shall be transferred to the Employees’ Pension System; and
(ii)    the trustee or other administrative head of the local plan shall certify the proportion of the funds of the local plan that represents the accumulated contributions of the members as of that date.
(2)    The accumulated contributions shall be credited to the respective annuity savings accounts of the members in the Employees’ Pension System.
(3)    Any balance of the funds transferred to the Employees’ Pension System shall be offset against the special accrued liability to be funded by the participating governmental unit as provided by § 21–305.3 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-114 - Duties of Fiscal Officer

The chief fiscal officer of each participating governmental unit shall:
(1)    submit to the Board of Trustees the information that the Board of Trustees requires; and
(2)    with respect to each employee of the participating governmental unit, cause to be performed the duties that would be performed by the head of a State unit employing members of an employees’ system.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-115 - Interim or Supplemental Allowances

(a)    A participating governmental unit may establish, by law, a separate additional program of interim or supplemental allowances for a class of employees.
(b)    A participating governmental unit shall fund any additional program of allowances separately from the funding for benefits provided under this Division II.
(c)    (1)    On the written request of a participating governmental unit that desires to establish an additional program authorized under this section, the State Retirement Agency may provide benefit-determination data or other technical assistance.
(2)    The State Retirement Agency shall charge the participating governmental unit for the expenses of preparing the data or providing the technical assistance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-116 - Contributory Pension Benefit

(a)    On or before December 31, 2002, a participating governmental unit may elect to provide its employees with the contributory pension benefit under Title 23 of this article as provided in this section by submitting its election on a form provided by the State Retirement Agency.
(b)    (1)    If a participating governmental unit elects to provide its employees with the contributory pension benefit under Title 23 of this article, an employee of the participating governmental unit who is a member of the Employees’ Pension System shall be entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-218 of this article, effective on the later of July 1, 1998, or the date the employee became a member of the Employees’ Pension System, unless the employee transferred to the Employees’ Pension System after April 1, 1998.
(2)    If an employee of a participating governmental unit transferred to the Employees’ Pension System after April 1, 1998, the employee is not subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part II of this article and is not entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-218 of this article.
(c)    An election by a participating governmental unit under this section is irrevocable.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-116.1 - Alternate Contributory Pension Selection

(a)    On or before June 30, 2007, a participating governmental unit may elect to provide its employees with the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection under Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article by submitting its election on a form provided by the State Retirement Agency.
(b)    An election by a participating governmental unit under this section is irrevocable.
(c)    (1)    If a participating governmental unit elects to provide its employees with the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection under Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article, an employee of the participating governmental unit who is a member of the Employees’ Pension System shall be entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-222 of this article, effective on the later of July 1, 2006, or the date the employee became a member of the Employees’ Pension System, unless the employee transferred to the Employees’ Pension System from the Employees’ Retirement System or Teachers’ Retirement System after April 1, 1998.
(2)    If an employee of a participating governmental unit transferred to the Employees’ Pension System from the Employees’ Retirement System or Teachers’ Retirement System after April 1, 1998, the employee is not subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article and is not entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-222 of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems › Section 31-116.2 - Application of Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit and Alternate Contributory Pension Benefit

(a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies to an individual who becomes an employee of a participating governmental unit on or after July 1, 2011.
(2)    This section does not apply to an individual who becomes an employee of:
(i)    a participating governmental unit that on July 1, 2011, is participating in the Employees’ Pension System and has not elected to participate in the Alternate Contributory Pension Selection under § 31–116.1 of this subtitle; or
(ii)    a former participating governmental unit, other than Frederick County, that has withdrawn from the Employees’ Pension System on or before June 30, 2011.
(b)    An individual described in subsection (a) of this section is subject to the reformed contributory pension benefit under Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part IV of this article.
(c)    (1)    This subsection applies to an individual who:
(i)    was an employee of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission on June 30, 2011, and who remains an employee through the effective date of participation for the Somerset County Economic Development Commission as a participating governmental unit; or
(ii)    1.    was an employee of the Dorchester County Council working for the Dorchester County Sanitary Commission on June 30, 2011;
2.    continues working for the Dorchester County Sanitary Commission without incurring a break in employment of more than 30 days; and
3.    becomes an employee of the Dorchester County Sanitary Commission before the effective date of participation for the Dorchester County Sanitary Commission as a participating governmental unit and remains an employee through the effective date of participation.
(2)    An individual described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered subject to the alternate contributory pension benefit under Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part III of this article in the same manner as an individual who was a member of the Employees’ Pension System on June 30, 2011.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-01 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Effective date” means the date that an eligible governmental unit commenced or commences participation in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
(c)    “Eligible governmental unit” means a governmental unit that is eligible to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System under § 31–2A–02 of this subtitle.
(d)    (1)    “Firefighter” means:
(i)    a paid firefighter, as determined by the eligible governmental unit; or
(ii)    a paid paramedic, as determined by the eligible governmental unit.
(2)    “Firefighter” does not include:
(i)    a volunteer firefighter; or
(ii)    a volunteer paramedic.
(e)    “Law enforcement officer” means an individual certified by the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission as a law enforcement officer.
(f)    (1)    “Local plan” means a plan or any other arrangement of an eligible governmental unit that is described in § 219(g)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2)    “Local plan” does not include a plan established under § 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(g)    “State system” has the meaning stated in § 20–101(pp) of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-02 - Eligible Governmental Units

Subject to § 31-2A-03 of this subtitle, the governmental units that are eligible to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System are:
(1)    counties; and
(2)    municipal corporations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-03 - Approval of Participation; Request to Permit Participation

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the legislative body of an eligible governmental unit may approve participation by its law enforcement officers or firefighters in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System if:
(1)    the legislative body adopts a resolution in the form prescribed by the Board of Trustees; and
(2)    the eligible governmental unit participates in a State system or operates a local plan, only if:
(i)    at least 60% of the law enforcement officers or firefighters of the eligible governmental unit petition to become members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System;
(ii)    the eligible governmental unit satisfies the requirements in subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii)    the legislative body approves participation of its law enforcement officers or firefighters in lieu of participation in the State system or local plan.
(b)    An eligible governmental unit that operates a local plan or participates in a State system may approve participation of its law enforcement officers or firefighters in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System only if:
(1)    the State system or local plan of the eligible governmental unit requires member contributions at the same rate as the member contribution rate that would be applicable to the law enforcement officers or firefighters of the eligible governmental unit in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System; or
(2)    the eligible governmental unit:
(i)    does not provide for the employer pickup of member contributions to the State system or local plan within the meaning of § 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(ii)    certifies that it will not become an approved employer under § 21–313 of this article on or after the effective date of participation.
(c)    (1)    If an eligible governmental unit does not satisfy the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, the eligible governmental unit may submit a request to the Board of Trustees to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
(2)    The Board of Trustees shall consider a request made under paragraph (1) of this subsection and determine whether any legislation is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
(3)    The Board of Trustees shall make recommendations to the Joint Committee on Pensions regarding any legislation that it determines is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-03.1 - Effective Date for Participation

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the effective date of participation for an eligible governmental unit is July 1 of the year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
(b)    If an eligible governmental unit does not provide the Board of Trustees with the necessary documentation to join the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System on or before the effective date for the eligible governmental unit, the effective date shall be postponed until July 1 of the second year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-04 - Credit for Preexisting Employment

If a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or paramedic joins the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System on the effective date, the member is entitled to credit for employment with the participating governmental unit before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2A - Participation in the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System › Section 31-2A-05 - Transition From Local to State Plan

(a)    This section applies only to a local plan that is a qualified plan under § 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides a defined benefit to its participants.
(b)    If an eligible governmental unit approves participation in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System, the operation of the local plan or State system with respect to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, or paramedics terminates on the effective date.
(c)    (1)    On the effective date:
(i)    the assets to the credit of the local plan or State system that relate to the law enforcement officers, firefighters, or paramedics who elect to become members shall be transferred to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System; and
(ii)    the trustee or other administrative head of the local plan or State system shall certify the proportion of the funds of the local plan or State system that represents the accumulated contributions of the members as of that date.
(2)    The accumulated contributions shall be credited to the respective annuity savings accounts of the members in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System.
(3)    The balance of the funds transferred to the Law Enforcement Officers’ Pension System shall be offset against the special accrued liability to be funded by the participating governmental unit as provided by § 21–306.1(d) of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-01 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Effective date” means the date that an eligible governmental unit commenced or commences participation in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
(c)    “Eligible governmental unit” means a governmental unit that is eligible to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System under § 31-2B-02 of this subtitle.
(d)    “Local detention center officer” means an individual who works as a detention center officer for an eligible governmental unit.
(e)    (1)    “Local plan” means a plan or any other arrangement of an eligible governmental unit that is described in § 219(g)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(2)    “Local plan” does not include a plan established under § 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(f)    “State system” has the meaning stated in § 20–101(pp) of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-02 - Eligible Governmental Units

Subject to § 31-2B-03 of this subtitle, the governmental units that are eligible to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System are:
(1)    counties; and
(2)    municipal corporations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-03 - Approval of Participation; Request to Permit Participation

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the legislative body of an eligible governmental unit may approve participation by its local detention center officers in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System if:
(1)    the legislative body adopts a resolution in the form prescribed by the Board of Trustees; and
(2)    the eligible governmental unit participates in a State system or operates a local plan for its local detention center officers, only if:
(i)    at least 60% of the local detention center officers of the eligible governmental unit petition to become members of the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System;
(ii)    the eligible governmental unit satisfies the requirements in subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii)    the legislative body approves participation of its local detention center officers in lieu of participation in the State system or local plan.
(b)    An eligible governmental unit that operates a local plan or participates in a State system may approve participation of its local detention center officers in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System only if:
(1)    the State system or local plan of the eligible governmental unit requires member contributions at the same rate as the member contribution rate that would be applicable to the local detention center officers of the eligible governmental unit in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System; or
(2)    the eligible governmental unit:
(i)    does not provide for the employer pickup of member contributions to the State system or local plan within the meaning of § 414(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(ii)    certifies that it will not become an approved employer under § 21–313 of this article on or after the effective date of participation.
(c)    (1)    If an eligible governmental unit does not satisfy the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, the eligible governmental unit may submit a request to the Board of Trustees to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
(2)    The Board of Trustees shall consider a request made under paragraph (1) of this subsection and determine whether any legislation is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
(3)    The Board of Trustees shall make recommendations to the Joint Committee on Pensions regarding any legislation that it determines is necessary to allow the eligible governmental unit to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-03.1 - Effective Date for Participation

(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the effective date of participation for an eligible governmental unit is July 1 of the year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
(b)    If an eligible governmental unit does not provide the Board of Trustees with the necessary documentation to join the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System on or before the effective date for the eligible governmental unit, the effective date shall be postponed until July 1 of the second year following the fiscal year in which the eligible governmental unit elects to participate in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-04 - Credit for Preexisting Employment

If a local detention center officer joins the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System on the effective date, the member is entitled to credit for employment with the participating governmental unit before the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-05 - Transition From Local to State Plan

(a)    This section applies only to a local plan that is a qualified plan under § 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides a defined benefit to its participants.
(b)    If an eligible governmental unit approves participation in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, the operation of the local plan or State system with respect to the local detention center officers terminates on the effective date.
(c)    (1)    On the effective date:
(i)    the assets to the credit of the local plan or State system that relate to the local detention center officers who elect to become members shall be transferred to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System; and
(ii)    the trustee or other administrative head of the local plan or State system shall certify the proportion of the funds of the local pension system that represents the accumulated contributions of the members as of that date.
(2)    The accumulated contributions shall be credited to the respective annuity savings accounts of the members in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System.
(3)    The balance of the funds transferred to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System shall be offset against the special accrued liability to be funded by the participating governmental unit as provided by § 21–306.1(d) of this article.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-06 - Queen Anne's County Local Detention Center Officers Participation

(a)    This section applies to an individual who is a local detention center officer of Queen Anne’s County before the effective date, and who remains a local detention center officer of Queen Anne’s County through the effective date.
(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if Queen Anne’s County becomes a participating governmental unit in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, membership in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System is mandatory for an individual described under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    If Queen Anne’s County commences participation in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, an individual described under subsection (a) of this section is entitled to eligibility service and creditable service in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System for employment with Queen Anne’s County before the effective date.
(d)    On joining the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System and receiving service credit as provided under subsection (c) of this section, an individual described under subsection (a) of this section shall:
(1)    no longer be a member of the Employees’ Pension System; and
(2)    have no further rights to any benefit in the Employees’ Pension System.
(e)    The transfer of creditable service for an individual described in subsection (a) of this section who is a member of the Employees’ Pension System through the effective date, and who transfers to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System under this section, is not governed by Title 37 of this article.
(f)    If Queen Anne’s County becomes a participating governmental unit in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, § 31–2B–05(c) of this subtitle shall govern the transfer and crediting of assets on the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 2B - Participation in the Correctional Officers' Retirement System › Section 31-2B-07 - Kent County Local Detention Center Officers Participation

(a)    This section applies to an individual who is a local detention center officer of Kent County before the effective date, and who remains a local detention center officer of Kent County through the effective date.
(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if Kent County becomes a participating governmental unit in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, membership in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System is mandatory for an individual described under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)    If Kent County commences participation in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, an individual described under subsection (a) of this section is entitled to eligibility service and creditable service in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System for employment with Kent County before the effective date.
(d)    On joining the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System and receiving service credit as provided under subsection (c) of this section, an individual described under subsection (a) of this section shall:
(1)    no longer be a member of the Employees’ Pension System; and
(2)    have no further rights to any benefit in the Employees’ Pension System.
(e)    The transfer of creditable service for an individual described in subsection (a) of this section who is a member of the Employees’ Pension System through the effective date, and who transfers to the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System under this section, is not governed by Title 37 of this article.
(f)    If Kent County becomes a participating governmental unit in the Correctional Officers’ Retirement System, § 31–2B–05(c) of this subtitle shall govern the transfer and crediting of assets on the effective date.
2023 Maryland Statutes › State Personnel and Pensions › Division II - Pensions › Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units › Subtitle 3 - Withdrawal by a Participating Governmental Unit › Section 31-301 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Employees’ system” has the meaning stated in § 31–101 of this title.
(c)    “Legislative body” has the meaning stated in § 31–101 of this title.
(d)    “Local pension system” means a retirement or pension system established by the legislative body of an eligible governmental unit that is a qualified plan under § 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and provides a defined benefit to its participants.
(e)    “State system” has the meaning stated in § 20–101(pp) of this article.
(f)    “Withdrawal date” means the date that a withdrawal by a participating governmental unit from a State system takes effect.