2700

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 556

subsection (3) of this section, shall become members of
the retirement system as a condition of their employment,
[but] UNLESS THAT TEACHER [[EFFECTS]] ELECTS TO
PARTICIPATE IN AN OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM AS PROVIDED
IN SECTION 217 OF THIS ARTICLE. HOWEVER, this section
shall not apply to veterans of World War II who are not
eligible to become members of the retirement system
because of some physical disability which disqualifies
them for membership, and (such] THOSE veterans who have
completed the courses of study required for teaching and
have passed the required examinations shall be eligible
for teaching positions in the State regardless of their
ability to become members of the retirement system. Any
person, employed during the period July 1, 1970 through
June 30, 1972, who elected not to join the retirement
system, [must] SHALL become a member on the two year
anniversary date of his employment. The rate of
contribution of [such] THAT employee shall be determined
at the time he actually joins the system, and [will] MAY
not be reduced for reason of service prior to joining[,
provided, however, that]. HOWEVER, any such employee may
purchase credit for service before joining by paying the
contributions due, based on the rate determined pursuant
to § 198 (1) (a) for his age at the date of membership
without regard to the maximum rate of five percentum of
earnable compensation, plus interest on [such] THOSE
contributions. [Such] THIS purchase may be made at any
time prior to retirement.

208.

[No] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 217 OF THIS
ARTICLE, NO other provision in any other statute which
provides wholly or partly at the expense of the State of
Maryland for pensions or retirement benefits for teachers
of the State, their surviving spouses or other
dependents, shall apply to members or beneficiaries of
the retirement system established by this subtitle, their
spouses or other dependents, except benefits from social
security.

210.

(A) Should the board of regents of the University
of Maryland elect, by resolution, approved by the board
of trustees of the retirement system, to have the members
of the faculty and staff of [such] THAT institution,
hereinafter called the staff, eligible for participation
in the retirement system, the trustees of the retirement
system shall set a date subsequent hereto, as of which
date participation may begin for members of the staff in
service on [such] THAT date, and after which
participation shall be required of new entrants in
positions on the staff of [such] THE University. Any