§ 58-86-95.  Leaves of absence; inactive membership.

(a) Any member who resigns as an eligible firefighter or an eligible rescue squad worker, whichever is applicable, may withdraw from the fund and seek a refund under G.S. 58-86-60 or take a leave of absence as provided by G.S. 58-86-95, or he or she will be considered an inactive member.

(b) In order to take a leave of absence, any member not on active military service must provide the office of the director with written notice that the member is taking a leave of absence. Any member not on active military service on leave of absence for more than five years in any six-year period shall be considered an inactive member.

(c) A member is not eligible for service credit for the time he or she is on leave of absence and is not required to make monthly payments for that time. During the time a member is on leave of absence he or she is not eligible for benefits from the pension fund. A member who has taken a leave of absence may subsequently withdraw from the pension fund and seek a refund under G.S. 58-86-60. If a member dies while he or she is on leave of absence, the appropriate person or persons may seek a refund under G.S. 58-86-60.

(d) Any member not on active military service who does not make contributions for two consecutive years and has not taken a leave of absence shall be considered an inactive member.

(e) The director of the pension fund shall communicate annually with each eligible fire department and eligible rescue or emergency medical services squad and transmit a list of those persons on a leave of absence. The director may consult with eligible fire departments and eligible rescue or emergency medical services squads with regard to the presumed status of members.

(f) The director of the pension fund shall maintain records of all inactive members of the fund, including dates of termination of service at an eligible fire department and eligible rescue or emergency medical services squad, and may consult with eligible fire departments and eligible rescue or emergency medical services squads with regard to the presumed status of members.

(g) Members on active military service must notify the director prior to commencement of active military service and subsequent to return from active duty and shall be granted a leave of absence for the entire time of the military service.

(h) If a member who is in service and has not received 20 years of fully credited service in this System on December 1, 2013, is convicted of an offense listed in G.S. 58-86-100 for acts committed after December 1, 2013, then that member shall forfeit all benefits under this System, except for a return of member contributions. If a member who is in service and has not received 20 years of fully credited service in this System on December 1, 2013, is convicted of an offense listed in G.S. 58-86-100 for acts committed after December 1, 2013, then that member is not entitled to any fully credited service that accrued after December 1, 2013. (2013-284, s. 1(a); 2013-284, ss. 1(a), 2(c).)