15.—(1) Regulation 156 (Joining this Section of the Scheme), is amended as provided by paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) For paragraph (1), substitute—
“(1) Subject to paragraph (3), a person in HSC employment who is eligible to be an active member of this Section of the Scheme becomes such a member, unless absent from work for any reason, on either—
(a)the commencement of the person’s employment; or
(b)in circumstances where the person has previously opted out of this Section of the Scheme under regulation 157(1), on that person’s—
(i)automatic enrolment date; or
(ii)automatic re-enrolment date, except where the notice referred to in regulation 157(1) was given within the 12 months immediately preceding that date.”.
(3) For paragraph (3), substitute—
“(3) A person who has previously exercised an option to opt out of this Section of the Scheme in accordance with regulation 157(1) in respect of an employment in which that person was an active member, and who remains eligible to be such a member in respect of that employment, may opt to join or re-join this Section of the Scheme by giving notice in writing to the employing authority in such form as the Department requires.”.
(4) Omit paragraph (6).