If the vision care program is intended to be part of the retirement system trust fund, then the operation of the vision care program, including, but not limited to, its funding, governance, investment of assets, allocation of income, and payment of benefits, shall comply with the requirements of Section 401(h) of Title 26 of the United States Code, to the extent required by that title, and related federal regulations. If the vision care program is intended to be separate from and not a part of the retirement system, then no assets attributable to that program shall be commingled for investment, or any other purpose, with the assets of the retirement system. Assets attributable to the program shall constitute a separate fund with a trust that is separate from the funds and trust of the retirement system except to the extent that the commingling of assets for investment purposes satisfies the requirements of the federal tax laws. The sponsor of the vision care program shall indicate as part of the establishment of the program whether that separate fund is intended to be a part of, or separate from, the retirement system.
Ca. Gov. Code § 31698.5