The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the criteria and procedures by which participating local districts may, in accordance with Federal Social Security law and IRS rules and with Retirement System statutes, include part-time, seasonal or temporary employees in or exclude them from membership in the System. Under Retirement System statutes ( 5 MRSA §18202, sub-§ 2) a statutory amendment which could grant benefits to employees of a participating local district is effective as to that district only if the district adopts the amendment. Accordingly, the provisions of PL 1991, c. 619 which could grant benefits (e.g., "immediate vesting" in a non-forfeitable right to a refund of contributions at 7.5%; annualized compensation) are effective as to a participating local district only if adopted by it. This Chapter provides the mechanism for and results of adoption, and nonadoption of these. The non-benefit provisions of PL 1991, c. 619 which apply to participating local districts are effective without adoption by the districts.
The Chapter governs membership for those part-time, seasonal or temporary employees who fit the definitions of these terms as established by Federal law ( 26 CFR Part 31) and adopted by the Maine Legislature and by this Chapter. Thus, not all employees who work in part-time or seasonal or temporary positions are part-time, seasonal or temporary employees within the scope of this Chapter.
This Chapter supersedes and replaces Chapter 802 (emergency) of the Board's rules.
94-411 C.M.R. ch. 802, § 1