Sec. 1. (a) It is declared to be the purpose of this article to secure to the state of Indiana and to employers and employees in Indiana all the rights and benefits which are conferred under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 501 through 504, 42 U.S.C. § 1101 through 1109, 26 U.S.C. § 3301 through 3311, and 29 U.S.C. § 49 et seq., and the amendments to those statutes. Whenever the department shall find it necessary, it shall have power to formulate rules after public hearing and opportunity to be heard whereof due notice is given as is provided in this article for the adoption of rules pursuant to IC 4-22-2, and with the approval of the governor of Indiana, to adopt such rules as shall effectuate the declared purposes of this article.

     (b) This section does not:

(1) require the state of Indiana to participate in; or

(2) preclude the state of Indiana from ceasing to participate in;

any offered or enacted voluntary, optional, special, or emergency federal program.

Formerly: Acts 1947, c.208, s.3801; Acts 1971, P.L.355, SEC.46. As amended by P.L.144-1986, SEC.151; P.L.108-2006, SEC.64; P.L.136-2018, SEC.120; P.L.85-2023, SEC.5.