CHAPTER 3307: STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

3307.01 State teachers retirement system - definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(A) “Employer” means the board of education, school district, governing authority of any community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code, college, university, institution, or other agency within the state by which a teacher is employed and paid.

(B) “Teacher” means all of the following:

(1) Any person paid from public funds and employed in the public schools of the state under any type of contract described in section 3319.08 of the Revised Code in a position for which the person is required to have a license issued pursuant to sections 3319.22 to 3319.31 of the Revised Code;

(2) Any person employed as a teacher by a community school or a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school pursuant to Chapter 3314. or 3326. of the Revised Code;

(3) Any person having a license issued pursuant to sections 3319.22 to 3319.31 of the Revised Code and employed in a public school in this state in an educational position, as determined by the state board of education, under programs provided for by federal acts or regulations and financed in whole or in part from federal funds, but for which no licensure requirements for the position can be made under the provisions of such federal acts or regulations;

(4) Any other teacher or faculty member employed in any school, college, university, institution, or other agency wholly controlled and managed, and supported in whole or in part, by the state or any political subdivision thereof, including Central state university, Cleveland state university, and the university of Toledo;

(5) The educational employees of the department of education, as determined by the state superintendent of public instruction.

In all cases of doubt, the state teachers retirement board shall determine whether any person is a teacher, and its decision shall be final.

“Teacher” does not include any eligible employee of a public institution of higher education, as defined in section 3305.01 of the Revised Code, who elects to participate in an alternative retirement plan established under Chapter 3305. of the Revised Code.

(C) “Member” means any person included in the membership of the state teachers retirement system, which shall consist of all teachers and contributors as defined in divisions (B) and (D) of this section and all disability benefit recipients, as defined in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code. However, for purposes of this chapter, the following persons shall not be considered members:

(1) A student, intern, or resident who is not a member while employed part-time by a school, college, or university at which the student, intern, or resident is regularly attending classes;

(2) A person denied membership pursuant to section 3307.24 of the Revised Code;

(3) An other system retirant, as defined in section 3307.35 of the Revised Code, or a superannuate;

(4) An individual employed in a program established pursuant to the “Job Training Partnership Act,” 96 Stat. 1322 (1982), 29 U.S.C.A. 1501.

(D) “Contributor” means any person who has an account in the teachers’ savings fund or defined contribution fund.

(E) “Beneficiary” means any person eligible to receive, or in receipt of, a retirement allowance or other benefit provided by this chapter.

(F) “Year” means the year beginning the first day of July and ending with the thirtieth day of June next following, except that for the purpose of determining final average salary under the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, “year” may mean the contract year.

(G) “Local district pension system” means any school teachers pension fund created in any school district of the state in accordance with the laws of the state prior to September 1, 1920.

(H) “Employer contribution” means the amount paid by an employer, as determined by the employer rate, including the normal and deficiency rates, contributions, and funds wherever used in this chapter.

(I) “Five years of service credit” means employment covered under this chapter and employment covered under a former retirement plan operated, recognized, or endorsed by a college, institute, university, or political subdivision of this state prior to coverage under this chapter.

(J) “Actuary” means the actuarial consultant to the state teachers retirement board, who shall be either of the following:

(1) A member of the American academy of actuaries;

(2) A firm, partnership, or corporation of which at least one person is a member of the American academy of actuaries.

(K) “Fiduciary” means a person who does any of the following:

(1) Exercises any discretionary authority or control with respect to the management of the system, or with respect to the management or disposition of its assets;

(2) Renders investment advice for a fee, direct or indirect, with respect to money or property of the system;

(3) Has any discretionary authority or responsibility in the administration of the system.

(L)(1) Except as provided in this division, “compensation” means all salary, wages, and other earnings paid to a teacher by reason of the teacher’s employment, including compensation paid pursuant to a supplemental contract. The salary, wages, and other earnings shall be determined prior to determination of the amount required to be contributed to the teachers’ savings fund or defined contribution fund under section 3307.26 of the Revised Code and without regard to whether any of the salary, wages, or other earnings are treated as deferred income for federal income tax purposes.

(2) Compensation does not include any of the following:

(a) Payments for accrued but unused sick leave or personal leave, including payments made under a plan established pursuant to section 124.39 of the Revised Code or any other plan established by the employer;

(b) Payments made for accrued but unused vacation leave, including payments made pursuant to section 124.13 of the Revised Code or a plan established by the employer;

(c) Payments made for vacation pay covering concurrent periods for which other salary, compensation, or benefits under this chapter are paid;

(d) Amounts paid by the employer to provide life insurance, sickness, accident, endowment, health, medical, hospital, dental, or surgical coverage, or other insurance for the teacher or the teacher’s family, or amounts paid by the employer to the teacher in lieu of providing the insurance;

(e) Incidental benefits, including lodging, food, laundry, parking, or services furnished by the employer, use of the employer’s property or equipment, and reimbursement for job-related expenses authorized by the employer, including moving and travel expenses and expenses related to professional development;

(f) Payments made by the employer in exchange for a member’s waiver of a right to receive any payment, amount, or benefit described in division (L)(2) of this section;

(g) Payments by the employer for services not actually rendered;

(h) Any amount paid by the employer as a retroactive increase in salary, wages, or other earnings, unless the increase is one of the following:

(i) A retroactive increase paid to a member employed by a school district board of education in a position that requires a license designated for teaching and not designated for being an administrator issued under section 3319.22 of the Revised Code that is paid in accordance with uniform criteria applicable to all members employed by the board in positions requiring the licenses;

(ii) A retroactive increase paid to a member employed by a school district board of education in a position that requires a license designated for being an administrator issued under section 3319.22 of the Revised Code that is paid in accordance with uniform criteria applicable to all members employed by the board in positions requiring the licenses;

(iii) A retroactive increase paid to a member employed by a school district board of education as a superintendent that is also paid as described in division (L)(2)(h)(i) of this section;

(iv) A retroactive increase paid to a member employed by an employer other than a school district board of education in accordance with uniform criteria applicable to all members employed by the employer.

(i) Payments made to or on behalf of a teacher that are in excess of the annual compensation that may be taken into account by the retirement system under division (a)(17) of section 401 of the “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 401(a)(17), as amended. For a teacher who first establishes membership before July 1, 1996, the annual compensation that may be taken into account by the retirement system shall be determined under division (d)(3) of section 13212 of the “Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993,” Pub. L. No. 103-66, 107 Stat. 472.

(j) Payments made under division (B), (C), or (E) of section 5923.05 of the Revised Code, Section 4 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 3 of the 119th general assembly, Section 3 of Amended Substitute Senate Bill No. 164 of the 124th general assembly, or Amended Substitute House Bill No. 405 of the 124th general assembly;

(k) Anything of value received by the teacher that is based on or attributable to retirement or an agreement to retire.

(3) The retirement board shall determine by rule both of the following:

(a) Whether particular forms of earnings are included in any of the categories enumerated in this division;

(b) Whether any form of earnings not enumerated in this division is to be included in compensation.

Decisions of the board made under this division shall be final.

(M) “Superannuate” means both of the following:

(1) A former teacher receiving from the system a retirement allowance under section 3307.58 or 3307.59 of the Revised Code;

(2) A former teacher receiving a benefit from the system under a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, except that “superannuate” does not include a former teacher who is receiving a benefit based on disability under a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code.

For purposes of sections 3307.35 and 3307.353 of the Revised Code, “superannuate” also means a former teacher receiving from the system a combined service retirement benefit paid in accordance with section 3307.57 of the Revised Code, regardless of which retirement system is paying the benefit.

Effective Date: 06-09-2004; 05-06-2005; 08-01-2005; 07-01-2006; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007

3307.011 Repealed.

Effective Date: 06-30-1991

3307.012 Repealed.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.013 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.501.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.02 to 3307.022 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.75 to 3307.752.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.03 State teachers retirement system - board.

A state teachers retirement system is hereby established for the teachers of the public schools of the state which includes the several funds created and placed under the management of a state teachers retirement board for the payment of retirement allowances and other benefits under Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code. The board may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, and do all things necessary to carry out such sections. All of its business shall be transacted, and all of its funds invested, all warrants for money drawn and payments made, and all of its cash, securities, and other property shall be held in the name of the board or in the name of its nominee, provided that nominees are authorized by retirement board resolution for the purpose of facilitating the ownership and transfer of investments and are restricted to members of the board, the executive director, and designated members of the staff, or a partnership or corporation composed of any of the foregoing persons.

If the Ohio retirement study council establishes a uniform format for any report the board is required to submit to the council, the board shall submit the report in that format.

Effective Date: 10-06-1993; 09-15-2004

3307.031 System consists of plans established by chapter.

The state teachers retirement system shall consist of the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 and the one or more plans established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.04 General administration and management vested in board.

The general administration and the management of the state teachers retirement system is hereby vested in the state teachers retirement board, which shall adopt rules necessary for the fulfillment of its duties and responsibilities under Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code. The board shall adopt policies for the operation of the system, and the investment of funds as provided by section 3307.15 of the Revised Code, and may authorize its administrative officers, or committees composed of board members, to act for the board in accord with such policies and subject to subsequent approval by the board.

The attorney general shall prescribe procedures for the adoption of rules authorized under this chapter, consistent with the provision of section 111.15 of the Revised Code under which all rules shall be filed in order to be effective. Such procedures shall establish methods by which notice of proposed rules is given to interested parties and rules adopted by the board published and otherwise made available. When it files a rule with the joint committee on agency rule review pursuant to section 111.15 of the Revised Code, the board shall submit to the Ohio retirement study council a copy of the full text of the rule, and if applicable, a copy of the rule summary and fiscal analysis required by division (B) of section 127.18 of the Revised Code.

All rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, prior to August 20, 1976, shall be published and made available to interested parties by January 1, 1977.

Effective Date: 09-16-1998

3307.041 Travel expense policies - bonus policy - budget.

The state teachers retirement board shall do all of the following:

(A) In consultation with the Ohio ethics commission, review any existing policy regarding the travel and payment of travel expenses of members and employees of the state teachers retirement board and adopt rules in accordance with section 3307.04 of the Revised Code establishing a new or revised policy regarding travel and payment of travel expenses. Not less than sixty days before adopting a new or revised policy, the board shall submit the policy to the Ohio retirement study council for review.

(B) If the board intends to award a bonus to any employee of the board, adopt rules in accordance with section 3307.04 of the Revised Code establishing a policy regarding employee bonuses;

(C) Provide copies of the rules adopted under divisions (A) and (B) of this section to each member of the Ohio retirement study council;

(D) Submit to the Ohio retirement study council a proposed operating budget, including an administrative budget for the board, for the next immediate fiscal year and adopt that budget not earlier than sixty days after it is submitted to the council;

(E) Submit to the council a plan describing how the board will improve the dissemination of public information pertaining to the board.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.042 Ethics policy - commission approval -- ethics training.

The state teachers retirement board shall, in consultation with the Ohio ethics commission, develop an ethics policy to govern board members and employees in the performance of their official duties. The board shall submit this policy to the commission for approval.

The commission shall review the policy and, if the commission determines that the policy is adequate, approve the policy. If the commission determines that the policy is inadequate, it shall specify the revisions to be made and the board shall submit a revised policy. If the commission approves the revised policy, the board shall adopt it. If not, the board shall make any further revisions required by the commission and adopt the policy. Not less than sixty days before adopting the policy, the board shall submit it to the Ohio retirement study council for review.

The board periodically shall provide ethics training to members and employees of the board. The training shall include training regarding the requirements and prohibitions of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code and sections 2921.42 and 2921.43 of the Revised Code and any other training the board considers appropriate.

The board shall establish a procedure to ensure that each employee of the board is informed of the procedure for filing a complaint alleging violation of Chapter 102. of the Revised Code or section 2921.42 or 2921.43 of the Revised Code with the Ohio ethics commission or the appropriate prosecuting attorney.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.043 Chief investment officer - supervision duties - monitoring of securities transactions.

(A) The state teachers retirement board shall designate a person who is a licensed state retirement system investment officer to be the chief investment officer for the state teachers retirement system. The board shall notify the division of securities of the department of commerce in writing of its designation and of any change in its designation within ten calendar days of the designation or change.

(B) The chief investment officer shall reasonably supervise the licensed state retirement system investment officers and other persons employed by the state teachers retirement system with a view toward preventing violations of Chapter 1707. of the Revised Code, the “Commodity Exchange Act,” 42 Stat. 998, 7 U.S.C. and following, the “Securities Act of 1933,” 48 Stat. 74, 15 U.S.C. and following, and the “Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” 48 Stat. 881, 15 U.S.C. 78a, and following, and the rules and regulations promulgated under those statutes. This duty of reasonable supervision shall include the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent persons employed by the state teachers retirement system from misusing material, nonpublic information in violation of those laws, rules, and regulations.

For purposes of this division, no chief investment officer shall be considered to have failed to satisfy the officer’s duty of reasonable supervision if the officer has done all of the following:

(1) Adopted and implemented written procedures, and a system for applying the procedures, that would reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, any violation by its licensed investment officers and other persons employed by the state teachers retirement system;

(2) Reasonably discharged the duties and obligations incumbent on the chief investment officer by reason of the established procedures and the system for applying the procedures when the officer had no reasonable cause to believe that there was a failure to comply with the procedures and systems;

(3) Reviewed, at least annually, the adequacy of the policies and procedures established pursuant to this section and the effectiveness of their implementation.

(C) The chief investment officer shall establish and maintain a policy to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of securities transactions executed on behalf of the board.

No chief investment officer shall be considered to have failed to satisfy the officer’s duty under this division if the officer has done both of the following:

(1) Implemented the policy adopted by the board under section 3307.152 of the Revised Code that outlines the criteria used to select agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the state teachers retirement system.

(2) Reviewed, at least annually, the performance of agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the state teachers retirement system.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.044 Selection of internal auditor.

The state teachers retirement board shall appoint a committee to oversee the selection of an internal auditor. The committee shall select one or more persons for employment as an internal auditor. The board shall employ the person or persons selected by the committee.

The committee shall consist of the following board members: one retirant member, one contributing member, and one ex officio member. The committee shall annually prepare and submit to the Ohio retirement study council a report of its actions during the preceding year.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.05 Board membership.

The state teachers retirement board shall consist of the following members:

(A) The superintendent of public instruction or a designee of the superintendent who has the following qualifications:

(1) The designee is a resident of this state.

(2) Within the three years immediately preceding the appointment, the designee has not been employed by the public employees retirement system, police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system or by any person, partnership, or corporation that has provided to one of those retirement systems services of a financial or investment nature, including the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(3) The designee has direct experience in the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(B) One member, known as the treasurer of state’s investment designee, who shall be appointed by the treasurer of state for a term of four years and have the following qualifications:

(a) The member is a resident of this state.

(b) Within the three years immediately preceding the appointment, the member has not been employed by the public employees retirement system, police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system or by any person, partnership, or corporation that has provided to one of those retirement systems services of a financial or investment nature, including management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(c) The member has direct experience in the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(d) The member is not currently employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state.

(C) Two members, known as the investment expert members, who shall be appointed for four-year terms. One investment expert member shall be appointed by the governor, and one investment expert member shall be jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. Each investment expert member shall have the following qualifications:

(a) Each member shall be a resident of this state.

(b) Within the three years immediately preceding the appointment, each member shall not have been employed by the public employees retirement system, police and fire pension fund, state teachers retirement system, school employees retirement system, or state highway patrol retirement system or by any person, partnership, or corporation that has provided to one of those retirement systems services of a financial or investment nature, including the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

(c) Each member shall have direct experience in the management, analysis, supervision, or investment of assets.

Any investment expert member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall hold office until the end of such term. The member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member’s term until the member’s successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.

(D) Five members, known as contributing members, who shall be members of the state teachers retirement system;

(E) Two former members of the system, known as retired teacher members, who shall be superannuates who are not otherwise employed in positions requiring them to make contributions to the system.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001; 09-15-2004

3307.051 Orientation program required for new members - continuing education.

Each newly elected member of the state teachers retirement board and each individual appointed to fill a vacancy on the board, shall, not later than ninety days after commencing service as a board member, complete the orientation program component of the retirement board member education program established under section 171.50 of the Revised Code.

Each member of the board who has served a year or longer as a board member shall, not less than twice each year, attend one or more programs that are part of the continuing education component of the retirement board member education program established under section 171.50 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.052 Members with excessive travel expenses ineligible for another term.

A person who served as an elected or appointed member of the state teachers retirement board for one or more entire fiscal years in fiscal years 2000, 2001, or 2002 is ineligible for re-election or reappointment to the board if the board paid travel-related expenses of the person or reimbursed the person for travel-related expenses that averaged more than ten thousand dollars annually for those fiscal years.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.06 Board elections.

(A) Annually on the first Monday of May, one contributing member, as defined in division (D) of section 3307.05 of the Revised Code, shall be elected by ballot to the state teachers retirement board, except that, beginning with the annual election for contributing members in May, 1978, and in the annual election of each fourth year thereafter, two contributing members shall be elected to the board. Elected contributing members shall begin their respective terms of office on the first day of September following their election and shall serve for a term of four years.

(B) The retired teacher members of the board, as defined in division (E) of section 3307.05 of the Revised Code, shall be elected for a term of four years. The retired teacher members shall be elected to the board at the annual election for contributing members of the board, as provided in division (A) of this section, in the year in which the term of the current retired teacher members would expire. The retired teacher members shall begin their respective terms of office on the first day of September following their election.

No contributing member of the board who retires while a member of the board shall be eligible to become a retired teacher member of the board for three years after the date of the member’s retirement.

(C) Except as provided in division (E) of this section, if a vacancy occurs during the term of office of any elected member of the board, the remaining members of the board shall elect a successor member. On certification of the election results in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code the successor member shall hold office until the first day of the new term that follows the next board election that occurs not less than ninety days after the successor member’s election, or until the end of the term for which the successor member was elected, whichever is sooner. The successor member shall qualify for board membership under the same division of section 3307.05 of the Revised Code as the member’s predecessor in office. Elections under this division shall be conducted in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code.

(D) If as a result of changed circumstances an elected member of the board would no longer qualify for board membership under that division of section 3307.05 of the Revised Code on the basis of which the member was elected, or if such a member fails to attend the meetings of the board for four months or longer without being excused, the member’s position on the board shall be considered vacant, and a successor member shall be elected under this division for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(E) A successor member need not be elected under division (C) of this section to fill a vacancy if on the day the vacancy occurs less than ninety days remain in the vacated term.

Effective Date: 11-21-1977; 09-15-2004; 08-04-2005; 04-06-2007

3307.061 Disqualification of convicted member - misconduct in office - removal procedure.

(A) The office of a contributing member or retired teacher member of the state teachers retirement board who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony, a theft offense as defined in section 2913.01 of the Revised Code, or a violation of section 102.02, 102.03, 102.04, 2921.02, 2921.11, 2921.13, 2921.31, 2921.41, 2921.42, 2921.43, or 2921.44 of the Revised Code shall be deemed vacant. A person who has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of an offense of that nature is ineligible for election to the office of contributing or retired teacher member of the state teachers retirement board.

(B) A member of the state teachers retirement board who willfully and flagrantly exercises authority or power not authorized by law, refuses or willfully neglects to enforce the law or to perform any official duty imposed by law, or is guilty of gross neglect of duty, gross immorality, drunkenness, misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance is guilty of misconduct in office. On complaint and hearing in the manner provided for in this section, the board member shall have judgment of forfeiture of the office with all its emoluments entered against the board member, creating in the office a vacancy to be filled as provided by law.

(C) Proceedings for removal of a board member on any of the grounds enumerated in division (B) of this section shall be commenced by filing with the court of common pleas of the county in which the board member resides a written complaint specifically setting forth the charge. The complaint shall be accepted if signed by the governor or signed as follows:

(1) If the complaint is against a contributing member of the board, the complaint must be signed by a number of contributing members of the retirement system that equals at least the following and must include signatures of at least twenty contributing members residing in at least five different counties:

(a) If the contributing member was most recently elected in accordance with division (A) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of contributing members of the system who voted in that election;

(b) If the contributing member was most recently elected under division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code or took office in accordance with section 3307.071 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of contributing members of the system who voted in the most recent election held in accordance with division (A) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code for that contributing member position on the board.

(2) If the complaint is against a retired teacher member of the board, the complaint must be signed by a number of former members of the system who are superannuates, as defined in section 3307.01 of the Revised Code, that equals at least the following and must include signatures of at least twenty retired teacher members residing in at least five different counties:

(a) If the retired teacher member was most recently elected in accordance with division (C) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of former members of the system who voted in that election;

(b) If the retired teacher member was most recently elected under division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code or took office in accordance with section 3307.071 of the Revised Code, ten per cent of the number of former members of the system who voted in the most recent election held in accordance with division (B) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code for that retired teacher member position on the board.

(D) The clerk of the court of common pleas in which a complaint against a member of the state teachers retirement board is filed under division (C) of this section shall do both of the following with respect to the complaint:

(1) Submit the signatures obtained pursuant to division (C) of this section to the board for purposes of verifying the validity of the signatures. The board shall verify the validity of the signatures and report its findings to the court.

(2) Cause a copy of the complaint to be served on the board member at least ten days before the hearing on the complaint. The court shall hold a public hearing not later than thirty days after the filing of the complaint. The court may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance in the same manner as in civil cases. Process shall be served by the sheriff of the county in which the witness resides. Witness fees and other fees in connection with the proceedings shall be the same as in civil cases. The court may suspend the board member pending the hearing.

If the court finds that one or more of the charges in the complaint are true, it shall make a finding for removal of the board member. The court’s finding shall include a full, detailed statement of the reasons for the removal. The finding shall be filed with the clerk of the court and be made a matter of public record.

The board member has the right to appeal to the court of appeals.

(E) No individual who has been removed from the board pursuant to this section shall be eligible to fill an elective or appointed position as a member of the board.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004; 04-06-2007

3307.07 Procedure for electing board members.

All elections of members of the state teachers retirement board shall be held under the direction of the board in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code. Any member of the state teachers retirement system, who has been nominated by a petition that is signed by five hundred or more members of the system and certified in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code, shall be eligible for election as a contributing member of the board. The petition shall contain the signatures of twenty or more members of the system from each of at least ten counties wherein members of the system are employed.

Any retired teacher who is a superannuate and a resident of Ohio is eligible for election as a retired teacher member of the board, if such retired teacher has been nominated by a petition that is signed by five hundred or more retired teachers, who are also superannuates, and certified in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code. The petition shall contain the signatures of twenty or more retired teachers from each of at least ten counties wherein superannuates under the system reside.

The board shall place the name of any eligible candidate upon the appropriate ballot as a regular candidate. At any election, qualified voters, as defined in this section, may vote for the regular candidates or for other eligible candidates, in which case the names of such persons shall be written upon the appropriate ballots, except that members of the system and former members of the system who are superannuates shall vote respectively for contributing members and retired teacher members of the board. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes for any term of office shall be elected to the board on certification of the election results in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code. If, at any election, contributing members or retired teacher members are to be elected for concurrent terms, eligible candidates shall be placed on the ballot, and the candidates who receive the highest numbers of votes shall be elected to the board on certification of the election results in accordance with rules adopted under section 3307.075 of the Revised Code.

Elected members of the board shall be elected on the basis of the total number of ballots cast by qualified voters, who shall consist of members of the system and former members of the system who are superannuates.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000; 09-15-2004

3307.071 No election if only one candidate nominated.

Notwithstanding sections 3307.06 and 3307.07 of the Revised Code, the state teachers retirement board is not required to hold an election for a position on the board as a contributing member or retired teacher member if only one candidate has been nominated for the position by petition in accordance with section 3307.07 of the Revised Code. The candidate shall take office as if elected. The term of office shall be four years beginning on the first day of September following the date the candidate was nominated.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001; 09-15-2004

3307.072 Candidate campaign finance statements - donor statement of independent expenditures.

(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Campaign committee” means a candidate or a combination of two or more persons authorized by a candidate to receive contributions and in-kind contributions and make expenditures on behalf of the candidate.

(2) “Candidate” means an individual who has been nominated pursuant to section 3307.07 of the Revised Code for election to the state teachers retirement board or who is seeking to be elected to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code.

(3) “Contribution” means a loan, gift, deposit, forgiveness of indebtedness, donation, advance, payment, transfer of funds or transfer of anything of value including a transfer of funds from an inter vivos or testamentary trust or decedent’s estate, and the payment by any person other than the person to whom the services are rendered for the personal services of another person, which contribution is made, received, or used for the purpose of influencing the results of an election to the state teachers retirement board under section 3307.07 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code. “Contribution” does not include:

(a) Services provided without compensation by individuals volunteering a portion or all of their time on behalf of a person;

(b) Ordinary home hospitality;

(c) The personal expenses of a volunteer paid for by that volunteer campaign worker.

(4) “Election day” means the following, as appropriate to the situation:

(a) The first Monday in May of a year for which section 3307.06 of the Revised Code specifies that an election for a member of the state teachers retirement board be held;

(b) If, pursuant to section 3307.071 of the Revised Code, no election is held, the first Monday in May of a year that the election would have been held if not for section 3307.071 of the Revised Code.

(5) “Expenditure” means the disbursement or use of a contribution for the purpose of influencing the results of an election to the state teachers retirement board under section 3307.07 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code.

(6) “Independent expenditure” means an expenditure by an individual, partnership, or other entity advocating the election or defeat of an identified candidate or candidates, that is not made with the consent of, in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of any candidate or candidates or of the campaign committee or agent of the candidate or candidates. An independent expenditure shall not be construed as being a contribution. As used in division (A)(6) of this section:

(a) “Advocating” means any communication containing a message advocating election or defeat.

(b) “Identified candidate” means that the name of the candidate appears, a photograph or drawing of the candidate appears, or the identity of the candidate is otherwise apparent by unambiguous reference.

(c) “Made in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate or the campaign committee or agent of the candidate” means made pursuant to any arrangement, coordination, or direction by the candidate, the candidate’s campaign committee, or the candidate’s agent prior to the publication, distribution, display, or broadcast of the communication. An expenditure is presumed to be so made when it is any of the following:

(i) Based on information about the candidate’s plans, projects, or needs provided to the person making the expenditure by the candidate, or by the candidate’s campaign committee or agent, with a view toward having an expenditure made;

(ii) Made by or through any person who is, or has been, authorized to raise or expend funds, who is, or has been, an officer of the candidate’s campaign committee, or who is, or has been, receiving any form of compensation or reimbursement from the candidate or the candidate’s campaign committee or agent;

(iii) Made by a political party in support of a candidate, unless the expenditure is made by a political party to conduct voter registration or voter education efforts.

(d) “Agent” means any person who has actual oral or written authority, either express or implied, to make or to authorize the making of expenditures on behalf of a candidate, or means any person who has been placed in a position with the candidate’s campaign committee or organization such that it would reasonably appear that in the ordinary course of campaign-related activities the person may authorize expenditures.

(7) “In-kind contribution” means anything of value other than money that is used to influence the results of an election to the state teachers retirement board under section 3307.07 of the Revised Code or the results of an election to fill a vacancy on the board pursuant to division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code or is transferred to or used in support of or in opposition to a candidate and that is made with the consent of, in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of the benefited candidate. The financing of the dissemination, distribution, or republication, in whole or part, of any broadcast or of any written, graphic, or other form of campaign materials prepared by the candidate, the candidate’s campaign committee, or their authorized agents is an in-kind contribution to the candidate and an expenditure by the candidate.

(8) “Personal expenses” includes ordinary expenses for accommodations, clothing, food, personal motor vehicle or airplane, and home telephone.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, each candidate who, or whose campaign committee, receives contributions or in-kind contributions totaling one thousand dollars or more or has expenditures totaling one thousand dollars or more in connection with the candidate’s efforts to be elected to the state teachers retirement board shall file with the secretary of state two complete, accurate, and itemized statements setting forth in detail the contributions, in-kind contributions, and expenditures. The statements shall be filed regardless of whether, pursuant to section 3307.071 of the Revised Code, no election is held. The statements shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code. Every expenditure shall be vouched for by a receipted bill, stating the purpose of the expenditures, that shall be filed with the statement; a canceled check with a notation of the purpose of the expenditure is a receipted bill for purposes of this division.

The first statement shall be filed not later than four p.m. on the day that is twelve days before election day. The second statement shall be filed not sooner than the day that is eight days after election day and not later than thirty-eight days after election day. The first statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made to the close of business on the twentieth day before election day. The second statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made during the period beginning on the nineteenth day before election day and ending on the close of business on the seventh day after election day.

(C) Each individual, partnership, or other entity who makes an independent expenditure in connection with the candidate’s efforts to be elected to the state teachers retirement board shall file with the secretary of state two complete, accurate, and itemized statements setting forth in detail the independent expenditures. The statements shall be filed regardless of whether, pursuant to section 3307.071 of the Revised Code, no election is held. The statements shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code.

The first statement shall be filed not later than four p.m. on the day that is twelve days before election day. The second statement shall be filed not sooner than the day that is eight days after election day and not later than thirty-eight days after election day. The first statement shall reflect independent expenditures made to the close of business on the twentieth day before election day. The second statement shall reflect independent expenditures made during the period beginning on the nineteenth day before election day and ending on the close of business on the seventh day after election day.

(D) Each candidate who, or whose campaign committee, receives a contribution or in-kind contribution or makes an expenditure in connection with the candidate’s efforts to be elected to fill a vacancy in the state teachers retirement board pursuant to division (D) of section 3307.06 of the Revised Code shall file with the secretary of state a complete, accurate, and itemized statement setting forth in detail the contributions, in-kind contributions, and expenditures. The statement shall be made on a form prescribed under section 111.30 of the Revised Code. Every expenditure shall be vouched for by a receipted bill, stating the purpose of the expenditures, that shall be filed with the statement; a canceled check with a notation of the purpose of the expenditure is a receipted bill for purposes of this division.

The statement shall be filed within thirty-eight days after the day the candidate takes office. The statement shall reflect contributions and in-kind contributions received and expenditures made to the close of business on the seventh day after the day the candidate takes office.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.073 Filing of statements - prohibited campaign activities.

(A) No person shall knowingly fail to file a complete and accurate campaign finance statement or independent expenditure statement in accordance with section 3307.072 of the Revised Code.

(B) No person, during the course of a person seeking nomination for, and during any campaign for, election to the state teachers retirement board, shall knowingly and with intent to affect the nomination or the outcome of the campaign do any of the following by means of campaign materials, an advertisement on radio or television or in a newspaper or periodical, a public speech, press release, or otherwise:

(1) With regard to a candidate, identify the candidate in a manner that implies that the candidate is a member of the board or use the term “re-elect” when the candidate is not currently a member of the board;

(2) Make a false statement concerning the formal schooling or training completed or attempted by a candidate; a degree, diploma, certificate, scholarship, grant, award, prize, or honor received, earned, or held by a candidate; or the period of time during which a candidate attended any school, college, community technical school, or institution;

(3) Make a false statement concerning the professional, occupational, or vocational licenses held by a candidate, or concerning any position the candidate held for which the candidate received a salary or wages;

(4) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has been indicted or convicted of a theft offense, extortion, or other crime involving financial corruption or moral turpitude;

(5) Make a statement that a candidate has been indicted for any crime or has been the subject of a finding by the Ohio elections commission without disclosing the outcome of any legal proceedings resulting from the indictment or finding;

(6) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has a record of treatment or confinement for mental disorder;

(7) Make a false statement that a candidate or board member has been subjected to military discipline for criminal misconduct or dishonorably discharged from the armed services;

(8) Falsely identify the source of a statement, issue statements under the name of another person without authorization, or falsely state the endorsement of or opposition to a candidate by a person or publication;

(9) Make a false statement concerning the voting record of a candidate or board member;

(10) Post, publish, circulate, distribute, or otherwise disseminate a false statement concerning a candidate, either knowing the same to be false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not, if the statement is designed to promote the election, nomination, or defeat of the candidate.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.074 Complaint alleging violation of RC 3307.073 - procedure - fine.

The secretary of state, or any person acting on personal knowledge and subject to the penalties of perjury, may file a complaint with the Ohio elections commission alleging a violation of section 3307.073 of the Revised Code. The complaint shall be made on a form prescribed and provided by the commission.

On receipt of a complaint under this section, the commission shall hold a hearing open to the public to determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint has occurred. The commission may administer oaths and issue subpoenas to any person in the state compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, accounts, and reports. On the refusal of any person to obey a subpoena or to be sworn or to answer as a witness, the commission may apply to the court of common pleas of Franklin county under section 2705.03 of the Revised Code. The court shall hold contempt proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2705. of the Revised Code.

The commission shall provide the person accused of the violation at least seven days prior notice of the time, date, and place of the hearing. The accused may be represented by an attorney and shall have an opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses.

At the hearing, the commission shall determine whether the violation alleged in the complaint has occurred. If the commission determines that a violation of division (A) of section 3307.073 of the Revised Code has occurred, the commission shall either impose a fine under section 3307.99 of the Revised Code or enter a finding that good cause has been shown not to impose the fine. If the commission determines that a violation of division (B) of section 3307.073 of the Revised Code has occurred, the commission shall impose the fine described in section 3307.99 of the Revised Code, refer the matter to the appropriate prosecutor, or enter a finding that good cause has been shown not to impose a fine or refer the matter to a prosecutor.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.075 Adoption of election rules - certification of nominating petitions and election results.

(A) The state teachers retirement board, after consultation with the secretary of state, shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, governing all of the following:

(1) The administration of elections of members of the board under section 3307.07 of the Revised Code and elections held under section 3307.06 of the Revised Code to fill vacancies on the board;

(2) Nominating petitions for the elections;

(3) Certification of the validity of nominating petitions for the elections;

(4) Certification of the results of the elections.

(B) The board may contract with the secretary of state or an independent firm to administer the elections, certify the validity of nominating petitions, and certify the results of the elections. The secretary of state and the independent firm shall perform these services in accordance with the rules adopted under division (A) of this section. Notwithstanding section 3307.20 of the Revised Code, the board shall provide information necessary for the secretary of state or the independent firm to certify the election. If the board contracts with an independent firm to administer an election, the secretary of state may audit the election.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.08 Oath of office.

Each member of the state teachers retirement board upon appointment or election shall take an oath of office that the member will support the constitution of the United States, the constitution of the state, and that the member will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the board, and that the member will not knowingly violate or willfully permit to be violated any law applicable to this chapter. Such oath shall be subscribed to by the member making it, and certified by the officer before whom it is taken, and shall be immediately filed in the office of the secretary of state.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.09 Quorum.

A majority of the members of the state teachers retirement board constitutes a quorum for the transaction of any business. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public except executive sessions as set forth in division (G) of section 121.22 of the Revised Code, and any portions of any sessions discussing medical records or the degree of disability of a member excluded from public inspection by section 3307.20 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.10 Expenses - liability insurance.

(A) The members of the state teachers retirement board shall serve without compensation, except that members shall be reimbursed from the expense fund for all actual necessary expenses incurred while serving on the board.

(B) The board may secure insurance coverage designed to indemnify board members and employees for their actions or conduct in the performance of official duties, and may pay required premiums for such coverage from the expense fund.

(C) If the officers of the board determine that a meeting of the entire membership, or any part thereof, is necessary, such determination shall be final, and contributing members shall be given time off from their employment to attend any such meeting. The employer of a contributing member shall not reduce the member’s earned compensation as a teacher or any contribution required under section 3307.26 of the Revised Code, because of the contributing member’s absence from employment to attend any such meeting.

The portion of the employer contribution required under section 3307.28 of the Revised Code that represents earned compensation of a contributing member paid for the period of an absence from employment to attend a board meeting, shall be annually transferred from the expense fund and forwarded to the employer of the contributing member.

(D) The board shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code establishing a policy for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by board members in the performance of their official duties. As part of any audit performed under Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, an inquiry shall be made into whether board members have complied with these rules.

(E) No board member shall accept payment or reimbursement for travel expenses, other than for meals and other food and beverages provided to the member, from any source other than the expense fund. Except in the case of an emergency, no out-of-state travel expenses shall be reimbursed unless approved in advance by a majority of the board at a regular board meeting.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000; 09-15-2004

3307.11 Officers - executive director.

The state teachers retirement board shall elect from its membership, a chairperson and a vice-chairperson. The board shall employ an executive director who shall serve as secretary, and shall employ other persons necessary to operate the system and to fulfill the board’s duties and responsibilities under Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code.

Effective ninety days after the effective date of this amendment, the board may not employ a state retirement system investment officer, as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, who does not hold a valid state retirement system investment officer license issued by the division of securities in the department of commerce.

The compensation of all employees and all other expenses of the board necessary for the proper operation of the system shall be paid in such amounts as the board approves.

Every expense voucher of an employee, officer, or board member of the state teachers retirement system shall itemize all purchases and expenditures.

The board shall receive all applications for retirement under the plans described in section 3307.031 of the Revised Code, shall provide for the payment of all retirement allowances and other benefits payable under this chapter, and shall make other expenditures authorized by this chapter.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000; 09-15-2004

3307.111 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.151.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.12 Treasurer of state is custodian of funds.

The treasurer of state shall be the custodian of the funds of the state teachers retirement system, and all disbursements therefrom shall be paid by him only upon instruments duly authorized by the state teachers retirement board and bearing the signatures of the chairman and secretary of the board. Such signatures may be affixed through the use of a mechanical check signing device.

The treasurer of state shall give a separate and additional bond in such amount as is fixed by the governor and with sureties selected by the board and approved by the governor, conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the treasurer of state as custodian of the funds of the system. Such bond shall be deposited with the secretary of state and kept in his office. The governor may require the treasurer of state to give additional bonds, as the funds of the system increase, in such amounts and at such times as are fixed by the governor, which additional bonds shall be conditioned, filed, and obtained as is provided for the original bond of the treasurer of state covering the funds of the system. The premium on all bonds shall be paid by the board.

The treasurer of state shall deposit any portion of the funds of the system not needed for immediate use in the same manner as state funds are deposited, and subject to all law with respect to the deposit of state funds, by the treasurer of state, and all interest earned by such portion of the retirement funds as is deposited by the treasurer of state shall be collected by him and placed to the credit of the board.

Effective Date: 07-01-1985

3307.121 Annual statement of amount of funds furnished by treasurer.

The treasurer of state shall furnish annually to the state teachers retirement board a sworn statement of the amount of the funds in the treasurer of state’s custody belonging to the state teachers retirement system.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.13 Legal adviser.

The attorney general shall be the legal adviser of the state teachers retirement board.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953

3307.14 Creation of funds - trustees.

The state teachers retirement board shall be the trustee of certain funds hereby created as follows:

(A) The “teachers’ savings fund” is the fund in which shall be accumulated the contributions deducted from the compensation of teachers participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, as provided by section 3307.26 of the Revised Code, together with the interest credited thereon. Such accumulated contributions refunded upon withdrawal, or payable to an estate or beneficiary as provided in this chapter, shall be paid from this fund. Any accumulated contributions forfeited by the failure of a contributor, an estate, or a beneficiary to claim the same shall be transferred from this fund to the guarantee fund. The accumulated contributions of a member or of a teacher who qualifies for a benefit under section 3307.35 of the Revised Code shall be transferred at the member’s or teacher’s retirement from the teachers’ savings fund to the annuity and pension reserve fund. The accumulated contributions of a member who dies prior to superannuation retirement that are forfeited by the qualified beneficiary in exchange for monthly survivor benefits, as provided by section 3307.66 of the Revised Code, shall be transferred to the survivors’ benefit fund. The accumulated contributions of a superannuate or other system retirant as defined in section 3307.35 of the Revised Code shall be transferred to the survivors’ benefit fund for payment of a lump-sum benefit to a beneficiary as provided in that section. As used in this division, “accumulated contributions” has the same meaning as in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) The “employers’ trust fund” is the fund to which the employer contribution made on behalf of a teacher participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code shall be credited and in which shall be accumulated the reserves held in trust for the payment of all pensions or other benefits provided by sections 3307.35, 3307.58, 3307.59, 3307.60, 3307.63, 3307.631, 3307.66, 3307.6912, and 3307.98 of the Revised Code, to teachers retiring or receiving disability benefits in the future or to their qualified beneficiaries, and from which the reserves for such pensions and other benefits shall be transferred to the annuity and pension reserve fund and to the survivors’ benefit fund. The balances as of August 31, 1957, in the employers accumulation fund shall be transferred to this fund. As of September 1, 1957, an additional amount shall be transferred from the employers’ trust fund to the annuity and pension reserve fund in the amount required to complete the funding of the prior service, as defined in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code, and military service pensions then payable.

(C) The “annuity and pension reserve fund” is the fund from which shall be paid all annuities, pensions, and disability benefits under the plan described in section 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code for which reserves have been transferred from the teachers’ savings fund and the employers’ trust fund.

(D) The “survivors’ benefit fund” is the fund from which shall be paid the survivors’ benefits provided by section 3307.66 of the Revised Code and the lump sum payment to beneficiaries as provided in section 3307.35 of the Revised Code, and to which shall be transferred from the employers’ trust fund the amount required to fund all liabilities as of the end of each year.

(E) The “guarantee fund” is the fund from which interest is transferred and credited on the amounts in the funds described in divisions (A), (B), (C), and (D) of this section, and is a contingent fund from which the special requirements of said funds may be paid by transfer from this fund. All income derived from the investment of funds by the state teachers retirement board as trustee under section 3307.15 of the Revised Code, together with all gifts and bequests, or the income therefrom, shall be paid into this fund.

Any deficit occurring in any other fund that will not be covered by payments to that fund, as otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be paid by transfers of amounts from the guarantee fund to such fund or funds. Should the amount in the guarantee fund be insufficient at any time to meet the amounts payable therefrom, the amount of such deficiency, with regular interest, shall be paid by an additional employer rate of contribution as determined by the actuary and shall be approved by the board, and the amount of such additional employer contribution shall be credited to the guarantee fund.

The board may accept gifts and bequests. Any funds that may come into the possession of the board in this manner or that may be transferred from the teachers’ savings fund by reason of lack of a claimant, or any surplus in any fund created in divisions (A) to (F) of this section, or any other funds whose disposition is not otherwise provided for, shall be credited to the guarantee fund.

(F) The expense fund is the fund from which shall be paid the expenses for the administration and management of the state teachers retirement system as provided by this chapter.

(G) The “defined contribution fund” is the fund in which shall be accumulated the contributions deducted from the compensation of teachers participating in a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, as provided in section 3307.26 of the Revised Code, together with any earnings and employer contributions credited thereon.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.141 Each fund is separate legal entity.

Wherever in this chapter, reference is made to the teachers’ savings fund, the employers’ trust fund, the annuity and pension reserve fund, the guarantee fund, the survivors’ benefit fund, the expense fund, or the defined contribution fund, such reference shall be construed to have been made to each as a separate legal entity. This section does not prevent the deposit or investment of all such moneys intermingled for such purpose but such funds shall be separate and distinct legal entities for all other purposes.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.142 Interest compounded annually credited to accounts of members and funds.

(A) Interest compounded annually shall be credited to the accounts of members participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code and to the various funds listed in divisions (A) to (F) of section 3307.14 of the Revised Code, and shall be assumed in determining actuarial factors, at rates recommended by the actuary and approved by the state teachers retirement board, but not less than three and twenty-five hundredths per cent effective September 1, 1965, except as follows:

(1) For the years stated the rates shall be as follows:

Years Rates

9-1-1920/8-31-1955 4.00%

9-1-1955/8-31-1963 3.00

9-1-1963/8-31-1965 2.25

(2) Subsequent to August 31, 1959, interest shall be credited to accounts only at retirement.

(3) If the amount of the account at retirement is not a factor in determining the allowance, interest shall not be credited to such account after September 1, 1964.

(4) The actuary shall estimate the amount of interest reserve required in the teachers savings fund for credit to accounts when interest is to be a factor in determining the allowance, and the balance of the interest reserve in such fund shall be transferred to the employers trust fund as of September 1, 1965.

(B) Interest shall be credited to the accounts of members participating in a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code and to the defined contribution fund in accordance with that plan.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.15 Investment and fiduciary duties of board.

(A) The members of the state teachers retirement board shall be the trustees of the funds created by section 3307.14 of the Revised Code. The board shall have full power to invest the funds. The board and other fiduciaries shall discharge their duties with respect to the funds solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries; for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to participants and their beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the system; with care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with these matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; and by diversifying the investments of the system so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so.

To facilitate investment of the funds, the board may establish a partnership, trust, limited liability company, corporation, including a corporation exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code, 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, or any other legal entity authorized to transact business in this state.

(B) In exercising its fiduciary responsibility with respect to the investment of the funds, it shall be the intent of the board to give consideration to investments that enhance the general welfare of the state and its citizens where the investments offer quality, return, and safety comparable to other investments currently available to the board. In fulfilling this intent, equal consideration shall also be given to investments otherwise qualifying under this section that involve minority owned and controlled firms and firms owned and controlled by women, either alone or in joint venture with other firms.

The board shall adopt, in regular meeting, policies, objectives, or criteria for the operation of the investment program that include asset allocation targets and ranges, risk factors, asset class benchmarks, time horizons, total return objectives, and performance evaluation guidelines. In adopting policies and criteria for the selection of agents with whom the board may contract for the administration of the funds, the board shall comply with sections 3307.152 and 3307.154 of the Revised Code and shall also give equal consideration to minority owned and controlled firms, firms owned and controlled by women, and ventures involving minority owned and controlled firms and firms owned and controlled by women that otherwise meet the policies and criteria established by the board. Amendments and additions to the policies and criteria shall be adopted in regular meeting. The board shall publish its policies, objectives, and criteria under this provision no less often than annually and shall make copies available to interested parties.

When reporting on the performance of investments, the board shall comply with the performance presentation standards established by the association for investment management and research.

(C) All bonds, notes, certificates, stocks, or other evidences of investments purchased by the board shall be delivered to the treasurer of state, who is hereby designated as custodian thereof, or to the treasurer of state’s authorized agent, and the treasurer of state or the agent shall collect the principal, interest, dividends, and distributions that become due and payable and place them when so collected into the custodial funds. Evidences of title of the investments may be deposited by the treasurer of state for safekeeping with an authorized agent, selected by the treasurer of state, who is a qualified trustee under section 135.18 of the Revised Code. The treasurer of state shall pay for the investments purchased by the board on receipt of written or electronic instructions from the board or the board’s designated agent authorizing the purchase and pending receipt of the evidence of title of the investment by the treasurer of state or the treasurer of state’s authorized agent. The board may sell investments held by the board, and the treasurer of state or the treasurer of state’s authorized agent shall accept payment from the purchaser and deliver evidence of title of the investment to the purchaser on receipt of written or electronic instructions from the board or the board’s designated agent authorizing the sale, and pending receipt of the moneys for the investments. The amount received shall be placed into the custodial funds. The board and the treasurer of state may enter into agreements to establish procedures for the purchase and sale of investments under this division and the custody of the investments.

(D) No purchase or sale of any investment shall be made under this section except as authorized by the board.

(E) Any statement of financial position distributed by the board shall include the fair value, as of the statement date, of all investments held by the board under this section.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000; 09-15-2004

3307.151 Prohibited business transactions.

The state teachers retirement system shall make no investments through, purchases from, or otherwise do any business with any individual who is, or any partnership, association, or corporation that is owned or controlled by, a person, who within the preceding three years was employed by, an officer, or a board member of the system or in which a person, who within the preceding three years was employed by, a board member of, or an officer of the system holds a fiduciary, administrative, supervisory or trust position, or any other position in which such person would be involved, on behalf of the person’s employer, in decisions or recommendations affecting the investment policy of the system, and in which such person would benefit by any monetary gain.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.15 Designation of Ohio-qualified agents - selection policy - increased utilization - annual report.

(A) As used in this section and in section 3307.154 of the Revised Code:

(1) “Agent” means a dealer, as defined in section 1707.01 of the Revised Code, who is licensed under sections 1707.01 to 1707.45 of the Revised Code or under comparable laws of another state or of the United States.

(2) “Minority business enterprise” has the same meaning as in section 122.71 of the Revised Code.

(3) “Ohio-qualified agent” means an agent designated as such by the state teachers retirement board.

(4) “Ohio-qualified investment manager” means an investment manager designated as such by the state teachers retirement board.

(5) “Principal place of business” means an office in which the agent regularly provides securities or investment advisory services and solicits, meets with, or otherwise communicates with clients.

(B) The state teachers retirement board shall, for the purposes of this section, designate an agent as an Ohio-qualified agent if the agent meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The agent is subject to taxation under Chapter 5725., 5733., or 5747. of the Revised Code.

(2) The agent is authorized to conduct business in this state.

(3) The agent maintains a principal place of business in this state and employs at least five residents of this state.

(C) The state teachers retirement board shall adopt and implement a written policy to establish criteria and procedures used to select agents to execute securities transactions on behalf of the retirement system. The policy shall address each of the following:

(a) Commissions charged by the agent, both in the aggregate and on a per share basis;

(b) The execution speed and trade settlement capabilities of the agent;

(c) The responsiveness, reliability, and integrity of the agent;

(d) The nature and value of research provided by the agent;

(e) Any special capabilities of the agent.

(D)(1) The board shall, at least annually, establish a policy with the goal to increase utilization by the board of Ohio-qualified agents for the execution of domestic equity and fixed income trades on behalf of the retirement system, when an Ohio-qualified agent offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other agents otherwise available to the board and meets the criteria established under division (C) of this section.

(2) The board shall review, at least annually, the performance of the agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the board.

(3) The board shall determine whether an agent is an Ohio-qualified agent, meets the criteria established by the board pursuant to division (C) of this section, and offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other agents otherwise available to the board. The board’s determination shall be final.

(E) The board shall, at least annually, submit to the Ohio retirement study council a report containing the following information:

(1) The name of each agent designated as an Ohio-qualified agent under this section;

(2) The name of each agent that executes securities transactions on behalf of the board;

(3) The amount of equity and fixed-income trades that are executed by Ohio-qualified agents, expressed as a percentage of all equity and fixed-income trades that are executed by agents on behalf of the board;

(4) The compensation paid to Ohio-qualified agents, expressed as a percentage of total compensation paid to all agents that execute securities transactions on behalf of the board;

(5) The amount of equity and fixed-income trades that are executed by agents that are minority business enterprises, expressed as a percentage of all equity and fixed-income trades that are executed by agents on behalf of the board;

(6) Any other information requested by the Ohio retirement study council regarding the board’s use of agents.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.153 Annual disclosures to Ohio Ethics Commission.

(A) The state teachers retirement system shall disclose the following to the Ohio ethics commission:

(1) Anything of value received by the system from an agent and anything of value given on behalf of the system by an agent;

(2) The name of any employee of the system with authority over the investment of retirement system funds or any board member of the system who deals with an agent regarding amounts described in division (A)(1) of this section.

(B) The disclosures required by this section shall be made annually in a report submitted by a date prescribed by the Ohio ethics commission.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.154 Designation of Ohio-qualified investment managers - utilization - annual report.

(A) The state teachers retirement board shall, for the purposes of this section, designate an investment manager as an Ohio-qualified investment manager if the investment manager meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The investment manager is subject to taxation under Chapter 5725., 5733., or 5747. of the Revised Code.

(2) The investment manager meets one of the following requirements:

(a) Has its corporate headquarters or principal place of business in this state;

(b) Employs at least five hundred individuals in this state;

(c) Has a principal place of business in this state and employs at least twenty residents of this state.

(B)(1) The board shall, at least annually, establish a policy with the goal to increase utilization by the board of Ohio-qualified investment managers, when an Ohio-qualified investment manager offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other investment managers otherwise available to the board. The policy shall also provide for the following:

(a) A process whereby the board can develop a list of Ohio-qualified investment managers and their investment products;

(b) A process whereby the board can give public notice to Ohio-qualified investment managers of the board’s search for an investment manager that includes the board’s search criteria.

(2) The board shall determine whether an investment manager is an Ohio-qualified investment manager and whether the investment manager offers quality, services, and safety comparable to other investment managers otherwise available to the board. The board’s determination shall be final.

(C) The board shall, at least annually, submit to the Ohio retirement study council a report containing the following information:

(1) The name of each investment manager designated as an Ohio-qualified investment manager under this section;

(2) The name of each investment manager with which the board contracts;

(3) The amount of assets managed by Ohio-qualified investment managers, expressed as a percentage of the total assets held by the retirement system and as a percentage of assets managed by investment managers with which the board has contracted;

(4) The compensation paid to Ohio-qualified investment managers, expressed as a percentage of total compensation paid to all investment managers with which the board has contracted;

(5) Any other information requested by the Ohio retirement study council regarding the board’s use of investment managers.

Effective Date: 09-15-2004

3307.16, 3307.17 Repealed.

Effective Date: 11-13-1965

3307.18 Trustee or employee of board shall have no interest in profits nor borrow funds.

No trustee and no employee of the state teachers retirement board shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment made by the board nor as such, directly or indirectly, receive any pay or emolument for his services. No trustee or employee of the said board, directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent or partner of others, shall borrow any of its funds or deposits or use the same except to make such current and necessary payments as are authorized by the board; nor shall any member or employee of said board become an indorser or surety or become in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned by or borrowed from the board.

Effective Date: 10-01-1953

3307.181 Restrictions on fiduciaries.

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, a fiduciary shall not cause the state teachers retirement system to engage in a transaction, if the fiduciary knows or should know that such transaction constitutes a direct or indirect:

(1) Sale or exchange, or leasing, of any property between the system and a party in interest;

(2) Lending of money or other extension of credit between the system and a party in interest;

(3) Furnishing of goods, services, or facilities between the system and a party in interest;

(4) Transfer to, or use by or for the benefit of a party in interest, of any assets of the system; or

(5) Acquisition, on behalf of the system, of any employer security or employer real property.

(B) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any transaction between the system and any fiduciary or party in interest if:

(1) All the terms and conditions of the transaction are comparable to the terms and conditions which might reasonably be expected in a similar transaction between similar parties who are not parties in interest; and

(2) The transaction is consistent with the fiduciary duties described in Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code.

(C) A fiduciary shall not:

(1) Deal with the assets of the system in the fiduciary’s own interest or for the fiduciary’s own account;

(2) In the fiduciary’s individual or in any other capacity act in any transaction involving the system on behalf of a party (or represent a party) whose interests are adverse to the interests of the system or the interests of its participants or beneficiaries; or

(3) Receive any consideration for the fiduciary’s own personal account from any party dealing with such system in connection with a transaction involving the assets of the system.

(D) In addition to any liability which the fiduciary may have under any other provision, a fiduciary with respect to the system shall be liable for a breach of fiduciary responsibility of any fiduciary with respect to the system in the following circumstances:

(1) If the fiduciary participates knowingly in, or knowingly undertakes to conceal, an act or omission of such other fiduciary, knowing such act or omission is a breach;

(2) If, by the fiduciary’s failure to comply with Chapter 3307. of the Revised Code, the fiduciary has enabled such other fiduciary to commit a breach; or

(3) If the fiduciary has knowledge of a breach by such other fiduciary, unless the fiduciary makes reasonable efforts under the circumstances to remedy the breach.

(E) Every fiduciary of the system shall be bonded or insured to an amount of not less than one million dollars for loss by reason of acts of fraud or dishonesty.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.19 Maintenance of individual account.

The state teachers retirement board shall provide for the maintenance of an individual account for each contributor showing the amount of the contributor’s contributions and any accumulations thereon.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001

3307.20 Annual statement of funds.

(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Personal history record” means information maintained by the state teachers retirement board on an individual who is a member, former member, contributor, former contributor, retirant, or beneficiary that includes the address, telephone number, social security number, record of contributions, correspondence with the state teachers retirement system, or other information the board determines to be confidential.

(2) “Retirant” has the same meaning as in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) The records of the board shall be open to public inspection, except for the following, which shall be excluded, except with the written authorization of the individual concerned:

(1) The individual’s personal records provided for in section 3307.23 of the Revised Code;

(2) The individual’s personal history record;

(3) Any information identifying, by name and address, the amount of a monthly allowance or benefit paid to the individual.

(C) All medical reports and recommendations under sections 3307.62, 3307.64, and 3307.66 of the Revised Code are privileged, except that copies of such medical reports or recommendations shall be made available to the personal physician, attorney, or authorized agent of the individual concerned upon written release received from the individual or the individual’s agent, or, when necessary for the proper administration of the fund, to the board assigned physician.

(D) Any person who is a member or contributor of the system shall be furnished, on written request, with a statement of the amount to the credit of the person’s account. The board need not answer more than one request of a person in any one year.

(E) Notwithstanding the exceptions to public inspection in division (B) of this section, the board may furnish the following information:

(1) If a member, former member, retirant, contributor, or former contributor is subject to an order issued under section 2907.15 of the Revised Code or is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of section 2921.41 of the Revised Code, on written request of a prosecutor as defined in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to the prosecutor the information requested from the individual’s personal history record.

(2) Pursuant to a court or administrative order issued under section 3119.80, 3119.81, 3121.02, 3121.03, or 3123.06 of the Revised Code, the board shall furnish to a court or child support enforcement agency the information required under that section.

(3) At the written request of any person, the board shall provide to the person a list of the names and addresses of members, former members, retirants, contributors, former contributors, or beneficiaries. The costs of compiling, copying, and mailing the list shall be paid by such person.

(4) Within fourteen days after receiving from the director of job and family services a list of the names and social security numbers of recipients of public assistance pursuant to section 5101.181 of the Revised Code, the board shall inform the auditor of state of the name, current or most recent employer address, and social security number of each member whose name and social security number are the same as that of a person whose name or social security number was submitted by the director. The board and its employees shall, except for purposes of furnishing the auditor of state with information required by this section, preserve the confidentiality of recipients of public assistance in compliance with division (A) of section 5101.181 of the Revised Code.

(5) The system shall comply with orders issued under section 3105.87 of the Revised Code.

On the written request of an alternate payee, as defined in section 3105.80 of the Revised Code, the system shall furnish to the alternate payee information on the amount and status of any amounts payable to the alternate payee under an order issued under section 3105.171 or 3105.65 of the Revised Code.

(6) At the request of any person, the board shall make available to the person copies of all documents, including resumes, in the board’s possession regarding filling a vacancy of a contributing member or retired teacher member of the board. The person who made the request shall pay the cost of compiling, copying, and mailing the documents. The information described in this division is a public record.

(F) A statement that contains information obtained from the system’s records that is signed by an officer of the retirement system and to which the system’s official seal is affixed, or copies of the system’s records to which the signature and seal are attached, shall be received as true copies of the system’s records in any court or before any officer of this state.

Effective Date: 01-01-2002; 09-15-2004

3307.201 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.512.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.21 Notifying teacher of duties and obligations under chapter.

Each employer, before employing any teacher to whom this chapter applies, shall notify such person of the person’s duties and obligations under this chapter as a condition of the person’s employment.

Any such appointment or reappointment of any teacher in the public day schools of the state, or service upon indefinite tenure, shall be conditioned upon the teacher’s acceptance of this chapter, as a part of the contract.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.211 Certifying names of covered employees.

During September of each year, or at such other time as the state teachers retirement board approves, each employer shall certify to the board the names of all teachers to whom this chapter applies.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.212 Notifying board of personnel changes.

Each employer shall on the first day of each calendar month, or at such less frequent intervals as the state teachers retirement board approves, notify the board of removals, withdrawals, and changes in compensation of teachers that have occurred during the month preceding or the period since the period covered by the last notification.

Not later than ten days after the date of hire, each employer shall notify the board of the employment of a new teacher. Notice shall be on a form provided by the board.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.213 Maintaining records and furnishing assistance.

Each employer shall keep such records and shall furnish such information and assistance to the state teachers retirement board as it requires in the discharge of its duties.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.214 Information to new employees.

On receipt of notice under section 3307.212 of the Revised Code of the employment of a new teacher, the state teachers retirement system shall inform the teacher of the requirements of section 3307.25 of the Revised Code and the provisions of sections 3307.88 and 3307.881 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.22 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.73.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.23 Statement to be filed by employee member.

Each teacher, upon becoming employed, shall file a detailed statement of all the teacher’s previous service as a teacher and of such other service as comes under this chapter, and shall furnish such other facts as the state teachers retirement board requires for the proper operation of the state teachers retirement system. If a teacher fails to file the required membership record within ninety days after becoming employed, the secretary shall so advise the teacher’s employer who shall thereafter withhold all salary payments to such teacher until such record is filed with the state teachers retirement board.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.231 Verifying termination of active service.

To the extent to which it is used in determining the liability of any fund created by section 3307.14 of the Revised Code, the state teachers retirement board shall verify the statement provided for in section 3307.23 of the Revised Code by the best evidence it is able to obtain. If official records are not available as to the length of service, compensation, or other information required, the board may use its discretion as to the evidence to be accepted.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.24 Denying membership to certain classes of teachers.

Test of Statute

The state teachers retirement board may deny the right to contribute or the right to become members to any class of teachers whose compensation is partly paid by the state, who are not serving on a per annum basis, who are on a temporary basis, or who are not required to have an educator license, and it may also make optional with teachers in any such class their right to contribute, or their right to individual entrance into membership.

The state teachers retirement board may at any time deny the right to contribute or the right to membership to any teacher whose compensation, though disbursed by an employer, is reimbursed to the employer, in whole or in part, from other than public funds.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.241 Local district pension system excluded from membership.

Members of a local district pension system maintained under the laws of the state from appropriations or contributions made wholly or in part by any employer and existing on August 8, 1919, are hereby excluded from membership in the state teachers retirement system.

If a majority of all the teachers participating in any such local district pension system apply for membership in the state teachers retirement system by a petition duly signed and verified, approved by their employer, and filed with the state teachers retirement board, all the teachers included in the membership of such local district pension system shall become members of the state teachers retirement system at such time within three months after the filing of such petition and the compliance with this chapter, relative to the dissolution and discontinuance of such local district pension system as the board designates.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.25 Electing defined benefit or defined contribution plan.

(A) An individual who becomes a member of the state teachers retirement system on or after the date on which the state teachers retirement board establishes a plan under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code shall make an election under this section. Not later than one hundred eighty days after the date on which employment begins, the individual shall elect to participate either in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code or one of the plans established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code. If a form evidencing an election under this section is not on file with the system at the end of the one-hundred-eighty-day period, the individual is deemed to have elected to participate in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code.

(B) An election under this section shall be made in writing on a form provided by the system and filed with the system.

(C) An election under this section shall take effect on the date employment began and, except as provided in section 3307.88 of the Revised Code, is irrevocable at the end of the election period described in division (A) of this section.

(D) An individual is ineligible to make an election under this section if one of the following applies:

(1) At the time employment begins, the individual is already a member or contributor participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, a superannuate of the system, or an other system retirant, as defined in section 3307.35 of the Revised Code;

(2) An election to participate in an alternative retirement plan under section 3305.05 or 3305.051 of the Revised Code is in effect for employment covered by the system.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001

3307.251 Employee with less than 5 years of service electing to participate in defined contribution plan.

As used in this section, “accumulated contributions” and “total service credit” have the same meanings as in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code.

(A) A member of the state teachers retirement system who, as of the thirtieth day of June immediately preceding the date on which the system establishes a plan under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, has less than five years of total service credit is eligible to make an election under this section.

Not later than one hundred eighty days after the day the state teachers retirement board first establishes one or more plans under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, an eligible member may elect to participate in a plan established under that section. If an election is not made, a member to whom this section applies is deemed to have elected to continue participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code.

(B) An election under this section shall be made in writing on a form provided by the system and filed with the system.

(C) On receipt of an election under this section, the system shall do both of the following:

(1) Credit to the account of the member in the defined contribution fund the accumulated contributions standing to the member’s credit in the teachers’ savings fund, plus interest at a rate determined by the board;

(2) Cancel all service credit and eligibility for any payment, benefit, or right under the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code.

(D) An election under this section shall be irrevocable at the end of the election period described in division (A) of this section.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001

3307.252 Effect of electing defined contribution plan.

A member of the state teachers retirement system who elects to participate in a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code shall be ineligible for any benefit or payment under sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code and, except as provided in section 3307.88 of the Revised Code, shall be forever barred from claiming or purchasing service credit with the system or any other Ohio state retirement system, as defined in section 3307.741 of the Revised Code, for service covered by the election.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.26 Electing defined benefit or defined contribution plan.

Each teacher shall contribute eight per cent of the teacher’s earned compensation, except that the state teachers retirement board may raise the contribution rate to a rate not greater than ten per cent of the teacher’s earned compensation. For teachers participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, contributions shall be deposited in the teachers’ savings fund. For teachers participating in a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, contributions shall be deposited in the defined contribution fund. Contributions made pursuant to this section shall not exceed the limits established by section 415 of the “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 415, as amended.

The contribution for all teachers shall be deducted by the employer on each payroll in an amount equal to the applicable per cent of the teachers’ paid compensation for such payroll period or other period as the board may approve. All contributions on paid compensation for teachers participating in plans established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code shall be remitted at intervals required by the state teachers retirement system under section 3307.86 of the Revised Code. All contributions on earned compensation for teachers participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code shall be remitted to the state teachers retirement system by the thirtieth day of June of each year. Each school district shall encumber sufficient moneys by the thirtieth day of June of each year to account for the difference, if any, that may exist between contributions that would be withheld based upon compensation earned by a teacher during the year ending the thirtieth day of June and the contributions withheld based upon compensation paid to the teacher for the year. Deductions from payroll for contributions under this section, on an annual basis, shall not exceed eight per cent or other percentage established by the board authorized by this section.

At retirement under the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, or upon a member’s death prior to retirement under that plan, if contributions have been made after September 1, 1959, in excess of the contributions normally required to provide the retirement or survivor benefit, the excess contributions may be refunded to the member, to the member’s beneficiary, or to the member’s estate in a lump sum, or may be used to provide additional income.

The board may determine with regard to any member participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code whether the limits established by division (C) of section 3307.58 of the Revised Code have resulted in exclusion from use in the calculation of benefits under section 3307.58, 3307.59, or 3307.60 of the Revised Code of any compensation on which contributions have been made under this section. The board may adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code providing for the disposition of contributions attributable to such compensation and may dispose of the contributions in accordance with those rules. Any disposition of contributions made by the board in accordance with the rules shall be final.

The deductions under this section shall be made even though the minimum compensation provided by law for any teacher shall be reduced thereby. Every teacher shall be deemed to consent to the deductions made. Payment less the deductions shall be a complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands for the services rendered by the person during the period covered by the payment.

Additional deposits may be made to a member’s account in the teachers’ savings fund or defined contribution fund, subject to rules of the board. At retirement, the amount deposited with interest may be used to provide additional annuity income. The additional deposits may be refunded to the member before retirement, and shall be refunded if the member withdraws the member’s refundable account. The deposits may be refunded to the beneficiary or estate if the member dies before retirement.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001

3307.261 Contributions during disability leave.

Except as otherwise provided in section 124.385 of the Revised Code, any teacher who is granted disability leave pursuant to a program sponsored by the teacher’s employer, whereby the teacher receives a percentage of the teacher’s salary while on disability leave, shall not be required to make contributions for time off while on disability leave.

Except as otherwise provided in section 124.385 of the Revised Code, each employer described in division (A) of section 3307.01 of the Revised Code who sponsors a disability leave program shall make the periodic employee and employer contributions, in the amounts set pursuant to sections 3307.26 and 3307.28 of the Revised Code, for teachers granted disability leave, based on the teacher’s rate of pay in effect at the time disability leave was granted.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.27 Employer pick up of teacher contributions.

The contributions required under section 3307.26 of the Revised Code may be paid by the employer in accordance with division (h) of section 414 of the “Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 414(h), as amended.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.28 Employer contribution.

Each employer shall pay annually to the state teachers retirement system an amount certified by the secretary which shall be a certain per cent of the earnable compensation of all members, and which shall be known as the “employer contribution.” For members participating in the plan described in sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, the employer contribution shall be deposited into the employers’ trust fund. For members participating in a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code, the employer contribution shall be deposited into the defined contribution fund in accordance with the plan selected by the member, less the amount transferred under section 3307.84 of the Revised Code.

The rate per cent of the contribution shall be fixed by the actuary on the basis of the actuary’s evaluation of the liabilities of the system, not to exceed fourteen per cent, and shall be approved by the state teachers retirement board. The board may raise the rate per cent of the contribution to fourteen per cent of the earnable compensation of all members. In making such evaluation, the actuary shall use, as the actuarial assumptions, such interest rates and mortality and other tables as are adopted by the board. The actuary shall compute the percentage of such earnable compensation, to be known as the “employer rate,” required annually to fund the liability for all benefits under sections 3307.50 to 3307.79 of the Revised Code, after deducting therefrom the benefits provided by the member’s accumulated contributions, as defined in section 3307.50 of the Revised Code, deposits, and other appropriations, and to fund any deficiencies in the funds described in divisions (A) to (F) of section 3307.14 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.281 to 3307.283 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.70, 3307.711, 3307.712.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.29 Deductions certified.

Each employer shall cause to be deducted, on each payroll of a contributor for each payroll period, the contribution payable by such contributor as provided in this chapter. Each employer shall certify to the treasurer of said employer on each payroll a statement as voucher for the amounts so deducted and for the amount of the normal contribution and the deficiency contribution payable by the employer. Each employer shall send a duplicate of such statement to the secretary of the state teachers retirement board.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.291 Transmitting payments monthly.

The treasurer of each employer, on receipt from the employer of the voucher for deductions from the compensation of teachers and for the contributions of the employer, shall transmit monthly or at such times as the state teachers retirement board designates the amounts specified in such voucher to the secretary of the board. The secretary, after making a record of all such receipts, shall pay them to the treasurer of state for use according to this chapter.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.292 Failure of employer to transmit amounts due.

The state teachers retirement board shall adopt rules establishing penalties to be paid by employers who fail to transmit to the state teachers retirement system the contributions required under sections 3307.26 and 3307.28 of the Revised Code. The rules may provide for interest, at a rate determined by the board, in addition to the penalties.

Effective Date: 04-01-2001

3307.30 Levying additional taxes.

Employers who obtain funds directly by taxation shall levy annually such additional taxes as are required to provide the additional funds necessary to meet the financial requirements imposed upon them by this chapter, and said tax shall be placed before and in preference to all other items except for sinking fund or interest purposes.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.31 Deducting employer contributions from state aid moneys.

(A) Payments by boards of education and governing authorities of community schools to the state teachers retirement system, as provided in sections 3307.29 and 3307.291 of the Revised Code, shall be made from the amount allocated under section 3314.08 or Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code prior to its distribution to the individual school districts or community schools. The amount due from each school district or community school shall be certified by the secretary of the system to the superintendent of public instruction monthly, or at such times as may be determined by the state teachers retirement board.

The superintendent shall deduct, from the amount allocated to each district or community school under section 3314.08 or Chapter 3317. of the Revised Code, the entire amounts due to the system from such district or school upon the certification to the superintendent by the secretary thereof.

The superintendent shall certify to the director of budget and management the amounts thus due the system for payment.

(B) Payments to the state teachers retirement system by a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school shall be deducted from the amount allocated under section 3326.33 of the Revised Code and shall be made in the same manner as payments by boards of education under this section.

Effective Date: 09-14-2000; 2007 HB119 09-29-2007

3307.311 Amended and Renumbered RC 3307.78.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.32 Payment of amounts due retirement system from treasury.

All amounts due the state teachers retirement system from the state treasury pursuant to this chapter shall be promptly paid upon warrant of the director of budget and management pursuant to a voucher approved by the director .

Effective Date: 07-13-2000; 12-01-2006

3307.33 Termination of membership.

Membership in the state teachers retirement system shall cease on occurrence of any of the following: receipt of payment pursuant to section 3307.56 of the Revised Code or under a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code; retirement as provided in sections 3307.58 and 3307.59 of the Revised Code or under a plan established under section 3307.81 of the Revised Code; death; or denial of membership pursuant to section 3307.24 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.34 Repealed.

Effective Date: 07-13-2000

3307.35 Employment of retirant.

(A) As used in this section and section 3307.352 of the Revised Code, “other system retirant” means a member or former member of the public employees retirement system, Ohio police and fire pension fund, school employees retirement system, state highway patrol retirement system, or Cincinnati retirement system who is receiving age and service or commuted age and service retirement, or a disability benefit from a system of which the retirant is a member or former member.

(B) Subject to this section and section 3307.353 of the Revised Code, a superannuate or other system retirant may be employed as a teacher.

(C) A superannuate or other system retirant employed in accordance with this section shall contribute to the state teachers retirement system in accordance with section 3307.26 of the Revised Code and the employer shall contribute in accordance with sections 3307.28 and 3307.31 of the Revised Code. Such contributions shall be received as specified in section 3307.14 of the Revised Code. A superannuate or other system retirant employed as a teacher is not a member of the state teachers retirement system, does not have any of the rights, privileges, or obligations of membership, except as provided in this section, and is not eligible to receive health, medical, hospital, or surgical benefits under section 3307.39 of the Revised Code for employment subject to this section.

(D) The employer that employs a superannuate or other system retirant shall notify the state teachers retirement board of the employment not later than the end of the month in which the employment commences. Any overpayment of benefits to a superannuate by the retirement system resulting from an employer’s failure to give timely notice may be charged to the employer and may be certified and deducted as provided in section 3307.31 of the Revised Code.

(E) On receipt of notice from an employer that a person who is an other system retirant has been employed, the state teachers retirement system shall notify