(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.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 31 - Participating Governmental Units
Subtitle 1 - Participation in Employees' Systems
Section 31-102 - Eligible Governmental Units
Section 31-103 - Limitation on Number of Eligible Community Action Agencies
Section 31-104 - Eligible Employees of Baltimore Metropolitan Council
Section 31-105 - Eligible Employees of Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority
Section 31-106 - Eligible Employees of Maryland Stadium Authority
Section 31-106.1 - Eligible Employees of Maryland African American Museum Corporation
Section 31-106.2 - Eligible Employees of St. Mary's Nursing Center, Inc
Section 31-107 - Eligible Employees of University of Maryland Medical System Corporation
Section 31-108 - Employees of Worcester County
Section 31-109 - Approval of Participation; Request to Permit Participation
Section 31-109.1 - Effective Date of Participation
Section 31-110 - Membership in Employees' Retirement System
Section 31-111 - Credit for Service Before the Effective Date
Section 31-111.1 - Supportive Service Employee -- Kent County Board of Education
Section 31-111.2 - Employees -- Town of Oakland
Section 31-111.3 - Employees -- City of Frostburg
Section 31-111.4 - Employees -- Town of Berwyn Heights
Section 31-111.5 - Employees -- Town of Sykesville
Section 31-111.6 - Employees -- Town of University Park
Section 31-111.7 - Employees -- Somerset County Economic Development Commission
Section 31-111.8 - Employees -- City of College Park
Section 31-112 - Benefits of Members
Section 31-113 - Effect of Participation
Section 31-114 - Duties of Fiscal Officer
Section 31-115 - Interim or Supplemental Allowances
Section 31-116 - Contributory Pension Benefit