Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-21-4. Acceptance by municipalities--Effective date

(a) Any municipality may accept this chapter by an ordinance or resolution of its governing body stating the group or groups of employees to be included as provided in § 45-21-7. When the ordinance or resolution has been approved, a certified copy of it shall be forwarded to the retirement board by the city clerk or the moderator of the financial town meeting. After the system has begun operations, the effective date of participation of any municipality shall be the first day of July at least ninety (90) days following the receipt by the retirement board of the certified copy of the ordinance or resolution as provided in this section.

(b) The Smithfield Town Council may by resolution provide that regular police officers hired after July 2, 1999 and/or regular firefighters who are members of Smithfield's private pension system may become members of the Municipal Employees' Retirement System of the State of Rhode Island in accordance with chapters 21 or 21.2 of this title. No resolution may be adopted by the Town of Smithfield pursuant to this subsection until an actuary study has been completed to determine the potential cost of the resolution. The cost of the actuary study shall be paid by the Town of Smithfield.