Subd. 1. Eligibility.

An eligible person is a person who:

1. (1) is currently an active plan member in a plan included under section 356.30, subdivision 3, other than clause (3);
2. (2) was excluded from pension coverage under the provisions of Laws 1978, chapter 720; and
3. (3) subsequently became employed in unsubsidized public employment covered by a pension plan included under section 356.30, subdivision 3, other than clause (3), with the same public employer which provided the subsidized employment or other public employer.

Subd. 2. Authorization.

An eligible person under subdivision 1 is authorized to purchase service credit for that period of uncovered prior subsidized public employment, other than a period of prior subsidized public employment for which a repayment of a refund was made, with a public pension plan specified in subdivision 1, clause (3), which, except for the exclusion provided by Laws 1978, chapter 720, would have provided pension coverage for the subsidized employment.

Subd. 3. Procedures.

Section 356.551 applies to purchases under this section, except that payment must be made before the expiration date of this section or termination from eligible employment covered by a pension plan under subdivision 1, clause (1), whichever is earlier.

Subd. 4. Restriction.

1. (a) Pre-July 1, 1989, service credit purchased under this section does not extend eligibility to plan benefits applicable to individuals who became members prior to July 1, 1989, of a plan listed in section 356.30, subdivision 3.
2. (b) Service credit may not be purchased for any period for which the individual has service credit in a covered pension plan, as defined in section 356A.01, subdivision 8, other than a volunteer firefighter plan.

Subd. 5. Expiration.

This section expires on June 30, 2009.