Section 45-28A-42.64 Application for Disability Retirement.
People applying for disability retirement must be examined by doctors, and the board of trustees can review a retired member’s disability status and order return to work if disability has ended.
(a) If a person applies for disability, he or she shall undergo an examination by two doctors named by the board of trustees and one of his or her choice. The application for disability retirement shall suggest the name of one member of the panel of doctors to examine the applicant and if any dispute, may select a third. After any member of such police or fire department shall have retired upon pension by reason of disability, the board of trustees shall have the right and authority, at any time, to cause such retired member to be brought before the city physician and two other physicians or surgeons, the retired member having the choice of bringing or selecting either his or her own personal physician, total number of physicians not to exceed the above mentioned number of three. The retired member shall be examined by the above named physicians to determine whether such disability yet continues, and the findings of the three physicians shall determine whether the retired disabled member is capable of returning to active job status. If the findings of the physicians are such that they affirm that the retired disabled member is capable to carry on active job status, then this retired disabled member shall be immediately stricken from the pension roll by the board of trustees, and be immediately notified to return to work in, and to, the respective department from whence he or she was retired. If after proper notification, such retired member fails to return to work, after a period of 30 days, or fails to show just cause, either through the courts, or other means, then the person shall forfeit his or her right to reinstatement with the city police or fire departments, whichever. (b) The board of trustees, when questioned whether a person is legally drawing monies from the pension fund, shall, within 30 days appoint a five member investigating committee from the ranks of the police and fire departments, the committee shall return such investigative findings in writing to a meeting of the board of trustees who shall notify the original petitioner of the meeting and request his or her presence.