§ 24-6-101 - System for payment of disability and retirement benefits and medical fees -- Rules and regulations -- Fund. - Arkansas Statutes

24-6-101. System for payment of disability and retirement benefits and medical fees -- Rules and regulations -- Fund.

(a) (1) The Arkansas State Police Commission is authorized and empowered to create and administer a system of paying disability, pension, and retirement pay funds to members of the Department of Arkansas State Police and their dependents and survivors.

(2) The commission shall have the authority and power, whenever it deems best, to pay medical expenses, including hospitalization fees and charges, of state police injured while in the performance of their official duties.

(3) (A) The commission shall have the authority and power to purchase and maintain in force group life, accident, and disability insurance upon the lives and members of the department upon such terms and conditions as it may deem necessary and proper.

(B) However, the purchasing and maintaining of such insurance shall be discretionary, and not mandatory, on the part of the commission.

(b) The commission is authorized and empowered to:

(1) Promulgate and enforce all rules and regulations necessary to create and administer a system of paying medical and hospitalization fees, disability benefits, pensions, and retirement pay to members of the department;

(2) Establish and prescribe the eligibility of members of the police force and their dependents and survivors in and to the benefits of the funds; and

(3) Do any and all things necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

(c) (1) There is created and established the State Police Retirement Fund, to which shall be credited any and all appropriations made by the General Assembly for the purposes outlined in this section.

(2) Any unexpended balance of the appropriation made for the first fiscal year of any biennial period may be used for a like purpose during the second fiscal year.

(3) Vouchers drawn upon and payable from the funds shall be drawn and paid in the manner provided by law for payment of obligations of the department.