(a) For the purpose of meeting the vesting requirements of Section 22873, employees of the County of Merced who became employees of the state as a result of the state’s assuming firefighting functions for that county shall be credited with state service for each completed year of service with the county that would have been credited by the county for the vesting of postretirement health benefits. The definition of “state service” does not apply to employees of the County of Merced who became employees of the state as a result of the state assuming firefighting functions for the county on or before August 1, 1988.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 22875.5, for the purposes of meeting the vesting requirements of Section 22873, 22874, or 22875, employees of the Cities of Rubidoux and Coachella who become employees of the state, on or before December 31, 1990, as a result of the state’s assuming firefighting functions for the city, shall be credited with state service for each completed year of service with the city. The city shall identify those employees and provide the corresponding service credit information to the board.

(c) No employee whose firefighting function was transferred to the state after December 31, 1990, shall receive credit toward postretirement health benefits vesting unless the former employer agrees to reimburse the state for the costs of that credit in accordance with Section 22875.5.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 328, Sec. 35. Effective January 1, 2006.)