Sec. 4.5. (a) As used in this section, “eligible officer” means a police officer or firefighter whose employer purchases coverage under this section.

     (b) As used in this section, “employer” means:

(1) with respect to a police officer:

(A) a postsecondary educational institution, other than a state educational institution, that appoints a police officer under IC 21-17-5; or

(B) an operator that employs the police officer under IC 8-22-3-34(b); or

(2) with respect to a firefighter:

(A) a postsecondary educational institution, other than a state educational institution, located in Indiana that:

(i) maintains a fire department;

(ii) employs firefighters for the fire department; and

(iii) is accredited by the North Central Association; or

(B) an operator that enters into an operating agreement under IC 5-23 for the operation of a public use airport that:

(i) maintains a fire department; and

(ii) employs firefighters for the fire department.

     (c) If an employer purchases coverage for an eligible officer, the eligible officer is eligible for a special death benefit from the fund in the same manner that any other public safety officer is eligible for a special death benefit from the fund. The cost of the coverage shall be one hundred dollars ($100) for each eligible officer annually. The cost of the coverage shall be paid to the board for deposit in the fund. The cost of coverage required by this subsection is in addition to the contribution determined by the board under IC 5-10-9.8-2.5.

     (d) If an employer elects to provide coverage under this section, the employer must purchase coverage for all eligible officers of the employer. An employer that elects to purchase coverage under this section must purchase coverage by making annual payments as prescribed by the board.

As added by P.L.10-2005, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.43-2006, SEC.2; P.L.2-2007, SEC.85; P.L.179-2018, SEC.4; P.L.99-2020, SEC.4.