19-7-612. Medical examination of disability retiree — cancellation of benefit. (1) The board, in its discretion, may require the recipient of a disability retirement benefit to undergo a medical examination. The examination must be made by a board-approved physician or surgeon at a place mutually agreed on by the board, the disabled member, and the physician or surgeon and at the board’s expense. Upon the basis of the examination, the board shall determine, by reason of physical or mental capacity, whether the recipient can perform the essential elements of the position held by the recipient when the recipient was retired. If the board determines that the recipient is not incapacitated, the recipient’s disability retirement benefit must be canceled when the recipient is offered a position under subsection (2) or when, if a position is available, the recipient cannot be reinstated under subsection (2) for reasons unrelated to the disability. If the recipient refuses to submit to a medical examination, the recipient’s disability retirement benefit must be canceled when the recipient is notified of the determination of the board.

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(2)(a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), a person other than an elected official whose disability retirement benefit is canceled because the person is no longer incapacitated must be reinstated to the position held by the person immediately before the person’s retirement or to a position in a comparable pay and benefit category within the person’s capacity, whichever is first open. The fact that the person was retired for disability may not prejudice any right to reinstatement to duty that the person may have or claim to have.

(b)This section does not affect any requirement that the former employee meet or be able to meet professional certification and licensing standards unrelated to the disability and necessary for reinstatement.

(3)The public body required to reinstate a person under subsection (2) may request a medical or psychological review as to the ability of the member to return to work as a member of the sheriff’s office. If the board’s findings are upheld, the public body shall pay the cost of the review.

(4)If a disabled member who is receiving a disability retirement benefit independently determines that the member is no longer disabled as that term is defined in 19-2-303 and returns to covered employment, the member shall immediately notify retirement system administrative staff so that the member’s disability retirement benefit is canceled.