(a) Section 500(b) of the Retirement and Social Security Law provides that persons who enter positions in public employment on or after July 1, 1976 with the State or a public employer which participates in the New York State Employees' Retirement System, shall be enrolled in the membership of the Retirement System if they are engaged in full-time positions. Persons employed on or after such date in positions involving less than full-time work shall be permitted to become members of the New York State Employees' Retirement System by filing an application therefor in the manner provided for by section 40 of such law. Section 600(b) of the Retirement and Social Security Law provides similar membership criteria for individuals subject to article 15 of the Retirement and Social Security Law.

(b) This rule is promulgated to establish the criteria whereby the status of a person employed on or after July 1, 1976 may be readily ascertained and such person's membership properly implemented, and is based upon the more detailed provisions of Parts 315 and 316 of this Title.