(a)      This section applies only to employees of the Domestic Relations Division of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court who, on or before June 30, 2002 were participants in the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System.

      (b)      An employee of the Domestic Relations Division of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court who is transferred on or before July 1, 2002 into the State Personnel Management System as an employee of the Child Support Enforcement Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, including any attorney representing the Child Support Enforcement Administration may elect to:

            (1)      Remain as a participant in the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System; or

            (2)      Become an enrollee in the Employees' Pension System of the State of Maryland.

      (c)      (1)      If an employee elects to remain as a participant in the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System, the election remains in effect only as long as the employee remains employed by the Child Support Enforcement Administration of the Department of Human Resources.

            (2)      If the employee transfers to another position in State service, the employee shall become an enrollee of the Employees' Pension System of Maryland.

            (3)      While an employee remains a participant in the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System, the State Central Payroll Bureau shall deduct from the employee's biweekly salary an employee contribution that equals the employee's salary multiplied by the employee contribution rate certified by the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System under subsection (d)(2) of this section.

      (d)      (1)      Until the date that the last employee transferred to the State Personnel Management System leaves service in the Child Support Enforcement Administration of the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Human Resources shall pay on a quarterly basis to the Anne Arundel County government:

                  (i)      The amount deducted by the State Central Payroll Bureau from an employee's biweekly salary for that quarter as provided under subsection (c)(3) of this section; and

                  (ii)      An employer contribution for that quarter equal to the total of the employee salaries subject to a deduction under subsection (c)(3) of this section multiplied by the employer contribution rate determined by the Department of Human Resources under paragraph (3) of this subsection.

            (2)      On or before May 15 of each year, the Board of Trustees of the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System shall certify to the Department of Human Resources the employer and employee contribution rates for pension benefits determined for the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System for the next fiscal year.

            (3)      If the employer contribution rate certified under paragraph (2) of this subsection is greater than the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State employees under the State Personnel Management System, the Department of Human Resources may limit the employer contribution rate to the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State employees under the State Personnel Management System.

            (4)      An employee transferred under this section is not subject to § 22-406(c)(2) of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.

      (e)      (1)      A retiree covered under this section who elected to remain in the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System may:

                  (i)      Enroll in the health insurance benefit option provided under that system; and

                  (ii)      Once enrolled, receive the retirement health benefits provided by the county, subject to the creditable service requirements established in § 2-508 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.

            (2)      On or before May 15 of each year, the personnel officer for Anne Arundel County shall certify to the Department of Human Resources the contribution rates for health benefits determined for the Anne Arundel County Retirement and Pension System for the next fiscal year.

            (3)      The Department of Human Resources shall pay on a quarterly basis to the Anne Arundel County government an amount equal to the employer's contribution for those health benefits.

            (4)      If the employer contribution rate certified under paragraph (2) of this subsection is greater than the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State retirees under the State Personnel Management System:

                  (i)      The Department of Human Resources may limit the employer contribution rate to the employer contribution rate paid by the State for State employees under the State Personnel Management System; and

                  (ii)      The retiree is responsible for payment of the balance of any monthly premium cost to the county not reimbursed by the State.