Chapter 2. Definitions of California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 13.5. >> Chapter 2.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions set forth in this chapter govern the construction of this part.

"Beneficiary" or "beneficiaries" means any person or entity receiving or entitled to receive an allowance and payment pursuant to Part 13 (commencing with Section 22000) or 14 (commencing with Section 26000) because of the disability or death of a member.

(a) "Dependent child" or "dependent children" means a member' s unmarried offspring or stepchild who is not older than 22 years of age and who is financially dependent upon the member on the date the member becomes eligible for benefits pursuant to this part.
  (b) "Offspring" shall include the member's child who is born within the 10-month period commencing on the date the member becomes eligible for benefits pursuant to this part.
  (c) "Offspring" shall include a child adopted by the member.
  (d) "Dependent child" shall not include the member's offspring or stepchild who is adopted by a person other than the member's spouse.
  (e) "Financially dependent," for purposes of this section, means that at least one-half of the child's support was being provided by the member on the date the member became eligible for benefits pursuant to this part. The system may require that income tax records or other data be submitted to substantiate the child's financial dependence. In the absence of substantiating documentation, the system may determine that the child was not dependent on the date the member became eligible for benefits pursuant to this part.

"Dependent parent" or "dependent parents" means a natural parent or parents of a member, or a parent or parents who adopted the member prior to the earlier of the occurrence of the member's marriage or his or her attaining 18 years of age, and who was receiving one-half or more of his or her support from the member at the time the member became eligible for benefits pursuant to this part.

"Employer" means the state or any agency or political subdivision thereof for which creditable service subject to coverage by the plan, as defined in Section 22155.5, is performed.

"Fund" means the Teachers' Health Benefits Fund.

"Member" means a current or retired employee of an employer, as defined in Section 25921.

"School year" means the fiscal year or the academic year.