(a) On or before December 31, 2002, a participating governmental unit may elect to provide its employees with the contributory pension benefit under Title 23 of this article as provided in this section by submitting its election on a form provided by the State Retirement Agency.

(b) (1) If a participating governmental unit elects to provide its employees with the contributory pension benefit under Title 23 of this article, an employee of the participating governmental unit who is a member of the Employees’ Pension System shall be entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-218 of this article, effective on the later of July 1, 1998, or the date the employee became a member of the Employees’ Pension System, unless the employee transferred to the Employees’ Pension System after April 1, 1998.

(2) If an employee of a participating governmental unit transferred to the Employees’ Pension System after April 1, 1998, the employee is not subject to Title 23, Subtitle 2, Part II of this article and is not entitled to the benefits as provided in § 23-218 of this article.

(c) An election by a participating governmental unit under this section is irrevocable.