The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Additional coverage." Insurance that covers each county at a minimum for the loss of money or property through robbery, burglary and larceny committed by parties other than officers or employees required to receive or hold money.

"Blanket bond." Security coverage in the form of a bond for county officers and employees as follows:

(1) for county officers and employees as a comprehensive group;

(2) for a group of named county officers and employees; or

(3) for county officers and employees in scheduled positions.

"Bond." Security coverage under which a surety guarantees the performance of a duty by a county officer or employee in compliance with this subchapter.

"County." A county of the second class, second class A, third class, fourth class, fifth class, sixth class, seventh class or eighth class, including counties of these classes which have adopted or may adopt a home rule charter or an optional plan.

"County officers and employees." Elected and appointed county officials, deputies and other appointees of county elected and appointed officials and county employees, whether acting on behalf of the county or as agents of a Commonwealth agency or a governing authority, who are required to receive, account for or hold any money or property by virtue of their office or employment.

"Crime-fidelity insurance." Insurance that is endorsed with faithful performance of duty coverage and which insures, at a minimum, against events of loss of money or other property resulting from one or more fraudulent or dishonest acts, including, but not limited to, embezzlement, theft, forgery, similar acts of dishonesty or fraud by a county officer or employee acting alone or in collusion with others, or from a breach of fiduciary duty or a failure of a county officer or employee to perform faithfully the officer's or employee's duties or to account properly for all money and property received or held by virtue of the officer's or employee's office or employment.

"Governing authority." Includes:

(1) The Supreme Court.

(2) Any agency or unit of the unified judicial system exercising a power or performing a duty under 42 Pa.C.S. § 1721 (relating to delegation of powers).

"Governing body." The county board of commissioners or the body vested with the legislative authority of the county in counties which have adopted a home rule charter or an optional plan.

"Home rule charter." A charter adopted under 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. III Subpt. E (relating to home rule and optional plan government) or its predecessor, the former act of April 13, 1972 (P.L.184, No.62), known as the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law, or Article XXXI-C of the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code.

"Money." Coin or currency of the United States or of any other country, travelers checks, personal checks, bank checks and bank notes in current use and having a face value, money orders and securities.

"Official security." Security on behalf of a county officer to provide protection from events of loss or misconduct when the officer fails to faithfully perform the duties of the office.

"Optional plan." An optional plan adopted under 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. III Subpt. E (relating to home rule and optional plan government) or its predecessor, the former act of April 13, 1972 (P.L.184, No.62), known as the Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law.

"Required security." Security coverage and additional coverage provided in compliance with this subchapter.

"Securities." All negotiable and nonnegotiable instruments or contracts representing either money or other property, including revenue and other stamps in current use, tokens and tickets and evidences of debt issued in connection with credit or charge cards, which cards are not issued by the county.

"Security coverage." A bond, a blanket bond or a crime-fidelity insurance policy, which is endorsed with faithful performance of duty coverage, provided in compliance with this subchapter for the purpose of protecting against the loss of money and other property sustained as a result of one or more fraudulent or dishonest acts, including, but not limited to, embezzlement, theft, forgery, similar acts of dishonesty or fraud by a county officer or employee acting alone or in collusion with others, or from a breach of fiduciary duty or a failure of a county officer or employee to perform faithfully the officer's or employee's duties or to account properly for all money and property received by virtue of the officer's or employee's position or employment.