(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, on and after the effective date of this section, the remarriage of the surviving spouse of a deceased local safety member who was a firefighter, or peace officer as described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, whose death after retirement was due to injuries which resulted in industrial disability retirement, may not result in the reduction or cessation of any survivor continuance if the remarriage occurs on or after January 1, 1998. However, pursuant to Section 22822, the surviving spouse may not add the new spouse or stepchildren as family members under the continued health benefits coverage of the surviving spouse.

(b) The surviving spouse of a deceased retired local safety member whose death after retirement was due to injuries which resulted in industrial disability retirement who previously lost entitlement due to remarriage shall be entitled to resume payment of the benefit effective either on January 1, 1999, or the first of the month following receipt by the board of a written application for resumption of benefits, whichever date is later. The amount of the benefit payable shall be calculated as though the benefit had been paid without interruption from the date of remarriage through the benefit resumption effective date.

(c) The board has no duty to identify, locate, or notify a remarried spouse who previously lost entitlement about the resumption of benefits provided in this section. The board has no duty to provide the name or address of any remarried spouse to any person, agency, or entity for the purpose of notifying those who may be eligible under this section.

(d) Nothing in this section may be construed to imply that the benefits addressed will be paid retroactively.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 69, Sec. 18. Effective June 24, 2004.)