Adopting rules related to the administration of the Fund as described herein.

WHEREAS, the Indiana Public Retirement System exists to provide retirement benefits to its members, their survivors, and beneficiaries;

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System, by statute, administers the Fund;

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, pursuant to IC 5-10.5-4-2, may establish and amend rules and regulations for the administration of the Fund without adopting a rule under IC 4-22-2;

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System wishes to adopt, amend, and/or repeal certain rules contained or to be contained in the Indiana Administrative Code related to the administration of the Fund as described herein; and

WHEREAS, the following adoptions and amendments are effective immediately, unless otherwise stated or covered by law;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System that:

SECTION 1. 35 IAC 1.2-3-7 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Authority: IC 5-10.5-4-2

Affected: IC 5-10.2; IC 5-10.3

Sec. 7. Creditable service shall be earned by a member injured during the scope of his the member's employment and paid benefits under the Workmen's Worker's Compensation Act or the State Personnel Act; however, no service credit will be used that is earned during the period of time during which PERF disability benefits were paid in the calculation of the PERF disability benefit. However, unless otherwise prohibited by law, such service shall be used to determine retirement benefits if the member becomes eligible for normal retirement. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 1.2-3-7; filed Dec 20, 1988, 1:00 p.m.: 12 IR 1080; readopted filed Oct 31, 2001, 2:18 p.m.: 25 IR 897; adopted Nov 9, 2007: 20071205-IR-035070818ONA; adopted Apr 26, 2013: 20130508-IR-035130167ONA; adopted May 7, 2021: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA)

SECTION 2. 35 IAC 1.2-5-1.3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Authority: IC 5-10.5-4-2

Affected: IC 5-10.2-3-5; IC 5-10.2-3-6.5

Sec. 1.3. For withdrawals after the effective date of this rule, (a) "Terminated employment with the applicable fund" for purposes of this section only means that a person is no longer serving in a covered position for the applicable fund with any employer and has reached fifty-nine and one-half (59 1/2) years of age.

(b) In accordance with Section 905 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, IC 5-10.2-3-5, and IC 5-10.2-3-6.5, and unless otherwise prohibited by law, a PERF or TRF participant member who

(1) is no longer working in PERF or TRF covered service with an employer

(2) is actively working with the same employer; and

(3) is working in a non-PERF or non-TRF covered position;

(Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 1.2-5-1.3; adopted Mar 6, 2015: 20150318-IR-035150060ONA; adopted Sep 11, 2015: 20150923-IR-035150302ONA; adopted Sep 14, 2018: 20180919-IR-035180399ONA; adopted Dec 13, 2019: 20191225-IR-035190683ONA; adopted May 7, 2021: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA)

SECTION 3. 35 IAC 2-9-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Authority: IC 5-10.5-4-2; IC 36-8-8-5; IC 36-8-8-19

Affected: IC 36-8-8-7

Sec. 4. (a) The first component of the baseline statewide physical examination consists of a comprehensive general medical history. The comprehensive general medical history shall cover the applicant's known health problems, such as major illnesses, surgeries, medication use, and allergies. Symptom review is also important for detecting early signs of disqualifying conditions and excludable conditions. The comprehensive general medical history shall include the following:

(1) A personal health history.

(2) A family health history.

(3) An immunization history.

(4) A reproductive history.

(b) After the examining physician completes the comprehensive medical history, the physician shall conduct a general physical examination of the candidate. Requirements for the baseline statewide physical examination shall be as follows:

(1) The baseline statewide physical examination is intended to test the following organ systems:

(A) Dermatological system.

(B) Ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and throat.

(C) Cardiovascular system.

(D) Respiratory system.

(E) Gastrointestinal system.

(F) Genitourinary system.

(G) Endocrine and metabolic systems.

(H) Musculoskeletal system.

(2) The baseline statewide physical examination shall include the following tests:

(A) Vital signs, such as pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and, if indicated, temperature.

(B) Visual testing, using a Snellen chart or other comparable chart. Vision testing shall also include field of vision testing and color vision testing.

(C) Audiometric testing. (An audiogram should be performed in a soundproof booth pursuant to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard S3.1-1991 with equipment calibrated to ANSI standard S3.6-1989). If a booth is unavailable, the test room sound pressure levels should not exceed those specified in 29 CFR 1910.95 (July 1, 1992 edition).

(D) Pulmonary function testing. Only a spirogram that is technically acceptable and demonstrates the best efforts by an individual should be used to calculate the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one (1) second (FEVI).

(E) Quantiferon test (TB blood test).

(F) Laboratory testing must include the following:

(i) Baseline blood testing, including complete blood count (CBC) and HIV testing.

(ii) Biochemical test battery (SMA), including, at a minimum, liver function tests (bilirubin, direct & indirect, SGOT, SGPT, GGT), fasting blood glucose, electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, fasting serum lipids, and test for syphilis.

(iii) Routine urinalysis to detect specific illnesses.

(iv) Drug abuse testing.

(v) Alcohol abuse testing, if indicated.

Additional laboratory testing should be conducted as indicated.

(G) Chest x-ray. Posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral views required; spine x-rays and other diagnostic imaging, if indicated.

(H) Twelve (12) lead electrocardiogram (resting) test.

(I) Treadmill cardiac stress test.

(J) Each candidate must complete a respirator clearance questionnaire.

(K) Submax (Bruce protocol) treadmill evaluation.

(L) Functional movement screening or orthopedic screening, or both.

(c) The local board shall determine the standards for passage of the baseline statewide mental examination. The local board may designate a community health center, a hospital, a licensed physician, or a licensed psychologist to administer the baseline statewide mental examination required under IC 36-8-8-7 and IC 36-8-8-19. The examining physician must have no pre-existing personal relationship with the applicant. The baseline mental examination shall consist of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory II III. The results of the baseline statewide mental examination shall be interpreted by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 2-9-4; filed May 27, 1993, 12:00 p.m.: 16 IR 2339, eff Jul 1, 1993; filed May 7, 1998, 4:15 p.m.: 21 IR 3332; readopted filed Oct 31, 2001, 2:21 p.m.: 25 IR 898; adopted Nov 9, 2007: 20071205-IR-035070818ONA; adopted Feb 19, 2010: 20100310-IR-035100124ONA; adopted May 7, 2021: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA)

SECTION 4. 35 IAC 14-2-12 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Authority: IC 5-10.5-4-2

Affected: IC 5-10.2-4-3

Sec. 12. (a) Unless otherwise provided in law, and subject to subsections (b) through (d), creditable service shall be earned by a member injured during the scope of his or her the member's employment and paid benefits under the Workmen's Worker's Compensation Act or the State Personnel Act; however, no service credit shall be given for a period of time during which TRF or PERF disability benefits were paid.

(b) The combination of worker's compensation and sick leave payments made by the employing unit may not exceed the member's basic salary.

(c) The member must pay to the fund the statutory contributions out of the amounts received pursuant to worker's compensation.

(d) The employing unit must provide written verification of the facts surrounding the payment of worker's compensation benefits and the amount of the member's basic salary. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 14-2-12; filed Oct 5, 1992, 5:00 p.m.: 16 IR 706; readopted filed Dec 3, 2001, 11:02 a.m.: 25 IR 1731; adopted Mar 27, 2007: 20070404-IR-550070200ONA; adopted May 7, 2021: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA) NOTE: Transferred from the Board of Trustees of the Indiana State Teachers' Retirement Fund (550 IAC 2-2-9) to the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System (35 IAC 14-2-12) by P.L.23-2011, SECTION 22, effective July 1, 2011.

SECTION 5. 35 IAC 14-3-1.2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Authority: IC 5-10.5-4-2

Affected: IC 5-10.2-3-5; IC 5-10.2-3-6.5; IC 5-10.3-6; IC 5-10.4

Sec. 1.2. For withdrawals after the effective date of this rule, (a) "Terminated employment with the applicable fund" for purposes of this section only means that a person is no longer serving in a covered position for the applicable fund with any employer and has reached fifty-nine and one-half (59 1/2) years of age.

(b) In accordance with Section 905 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, IC 5-10.2-3-5, IC 5-10.2-3-6.5, and unless otherwise prohibited by law, a PERF or TRF participant member, who is not age and service eligible for a retirement benefit, who

(1) is no longer working in PERF or TRF covered service with an employer

(2) is actively working with the same employer; and

(3) is working in a non-PERF or non-TRF covered position;

(Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 14-3-1.2; adopted Mar 6, 2015: 20150318-IR-035150060ONA; adopted Sep 11, 2015: 20150923-IR-035150302ONA; adopted May 7, 2021: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA)

DIN: 20210519-IR-035210173ONA

Composed: May 18,2024 5:56:08AM EDT

A PDF version of this document.