1. a. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, peace officers employed within the department who are not covered under a collective bargaining agreement but who were at any time eligible to be enrolled in the group health insurance plan that is negotiated under chapter 20 between the state and the state police officers council labor union and who elect to participate in a group health insurance plan provided by the state, shall only be permitted to participate in the group health insurance plan that is negotiated under chapter 20 between the state and the state police officers council labor union for peace officers subject to the requirements of this section. In addition, a peace officer who was covered under a collective bargaining agreement and who becomes a manager or supervisor and is no longer covered by the agreement shall not lose group health insurance benefits as provided by the agreement.

 b. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, beginning January 1, 2021, a peace officer or surviving spouse who is participating in a group health insurance plan shall have the option, upon retirement or approval for death benefits for an eligible surviving spouse, to participate in the group health insurance plan that is negotiated under chapter 20 between the state and the state police officers council labor union pursuant to section 509A.13 subject to the requirements of this section.
 2. The department shall be authorized to retain any savings to the department for peace officers participating in the group health insurance plan pursuant to subsection 1 from moneys appropriated to the department.