All 1977 Fund units are required to have a local board. INPRS is the System Board, NOT the local board.
While the local board has many responsibilities, this article highlights those related to the disability process. Listed below is a brief summary of the disability process, with additional links to the Indiana Code (IC) requirements and the member handbook, which provides more details on the requirements and disability process.
Summary of the disability process:
- The member must request a hearing with the local board before separating from covered employment. The local board must determine if there is a covered impairment.
- The member must provide medical records to the hiring authority and the local board.
- The hiring authority determines if there is suitable and available work. The standards of the Americans with Disability Act are used to determine “reasonable accommodations”.
- The local board must hold a hearing to determine whether the member has a covered impairment within 90 days after the member has notified the local board. The statutes are used to define a covered impairment. A transcript of the local board’s hearing must be provided to the 1977 Fund.
- If the member was hired after December 31, 1989 (or elected coverage under IC 36-8-8-12.4), the local board determines the class of impairment (Class 1, 2, or 3). For Pre-1990 Plan members, the local board determines if the impairment is duty related.
- If the local board determines that the impairment is a Class 3 disability, and the member has a Class 3 non-covered condition, the local board must then decide if the impairment resulted from an accidental injury.
- The local board submits its determinations, a copy of all the medical records used in making that determination, and its hearing transcript to the 1977 Fund.