Disability and income protection - state employee disability leave benefit fund.

(A) The department of administrative services shall do one of the following: (1) In consultation with the superintendent of insurance, in accordance with the competitive selection procedures of Chapter 125. of the Revised Code, periodically contract with an insurance company for the issuance of a policy of disability and income protection pursuant to, and covering all state employees who are eligible under, section 124.385 of the Revised Code; (2) Provide disability and income protection pursuant to, and covering all state employees who are eligible under, section 124.385 of the Revised Code. (B) All or any portion of the cost, premium, or charges for the coverage provided for under division (A) of this section or other programs for disabled state workers may be paid by the state and credited to the state employee disability leave benefit fund, which is hereby created in the state treasury. All income derived from the investment of the fund shall accrue to the fund. Amounts from the fund may be used to pay direct and indirect costs that are attributable to consultants or a third-party administrator and that are necessary to administer the disability leave programs created under sections 124.381 and 124.385 of the Revised Code.