70.226.  Local public health agencies considered political subdivision, when, what purpose. — 1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 70.600 to 70.755 to the contrary, a local public health agency created by a joint municipal agreement under the provisions of sections 70.210 to 70.320 existing within any county of the third classification may be considered a political subdivision for the purposes of sections 70.600 to 70.755, and employees of the local public health agency shall be eligible for membership in the Missouri local government employees' retirement system upon the local public health agency becoming an employer, as defined in subdivision (11) of section 70.600.

  2.  A local public health agency granted membership under subsection 1 of this section shall be permitted to dissolve or otherwise terminate its existence only upon a finding by the local public health agency's board of directors that all of the local public health agency's outstanding indebtedness has been paid, including moneys owed to the Missouri local government employees' retirement system for the unfunded accrued liability of its past and current employees.

  3.  Any political subdivision withdrawing from membership in a local public health agency that participates in the Missouri local government employees' retirement system shall be required to pay to the local public health agency its pro rata share of contributions for any unfunded liabilities for the local public health agency's past and current employees as of the effective date of the political subdivision's withdrawal from membership in the local public health agency.  Any political subdivision becoming a new member of a local public health agency shall be subject to the same terms and conditions then existing, including the liabilities in proportion to all participating political subdivisions as set forth in the compact or other such agreement.