B. The person may elect to have the service retirement benefit terminated, again become a member of the retirement system and begin contributing at the current rate.

(1) The person is entitled to accumulate additional service credits during the period of time the person is restored to service.

(2) When the person again retires, the person is entitled to receive benefits computed on the person's entire creditable service and in accordance with the law in effect at the time.

C. Upon being restored to service, the person shall must elect to have benefits either continued or terminated. If written notification of the person's election is not received by the executive director within 60 days of restoration to service, the person is deemed to have elected the provisions of paragraph A. The election, regardless of how it is made, is irrevocable during the period of restoration to services.

Sec. 11. 5 MRSA §18252-A, sub-§1, ¶¶A and B, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 709, §4, are amended to read:

A. An employee hired by a participating local district, or rehired following a break in service, after the date on which the employer provides a plan under section 18252-B shall must elect at the time of hiring or rehiring whether to be a member under the retirement system or to be covered under a plan provided by the employer under section 18252-B.

(1) If the employee elects to be a member under the retirement system, the election is effective as of the date of hire or rehire.

(a) An employee who elects to be a member of the retirement system may later elect to be covered under a plan provided by the employer under section 18252-B. The employee who so elects shall may, at the employee's discretion, withdraw accumulated contributions in accordance with applicable requirements of law and rule and retirement system procedures.