As used in this chapter:

1. (1) "Employer" means:

   1. (a) a school district which receives funding from the State from the annual appropriation to the Department of Education for Aid to School Districts--Employer Contributions in the annual general appropriations act;
   2. (b) a four-year and postgraduate institution of higher education supported and under the control of the State;
   3. (c) a technical college supported and under the control of the State;
   4. (d) the State or any of its departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions, and institutions, provided that such entity does not meet the definition of item (1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

2. (2) "Eligible employee" means:

   1. (a) a person hired on or after July 1, 2001, by an employer as defined in Section 9-20-10(1)(a) to fill a permanent full-time position; or
   2. (b) a person hired on or after July 1, 2002, by an employer as defined in Section 9-20-10(1)(b), (c), or (d) to fill a permanent full-time position; or
   3. (c) a person employed by an employer as defined in Section 9-20-10(1) who, as of June 30, 2001, was a participant of the Optional Retirement Program for Teachers and School Administrators or who, as of June 30, 2002, was a participant of the Optional Retirement Program for Publicly-Supported Four-Year and Postgraduate Institutions of Higher Education.
3. (3) "Participant" means an eligible employee who participates in the optional retirement program provided by this chapter.