Sec. 5. (a) Notwithstanding any contrary law, an appointing authority shall waive any age restriction for a person not more than forty (40) years and six (6) months of age that applies to the appointment and hiring of an individual as:
(1) a member of the police department; or
(2) a member of the fire department;
if the individual meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(b) An individual who meets all the following requirements is entitled to the waiver described in subsection (a):
(1) On the date the individual applies to be appointed and hired as:
(A) a member of the police department; or
(B) a member of the fire department;
the individual is a veteran who has completed at least twenty (20) years of military service.
(2) The individual received or is eligible to receive a discharge from the armed forces of the United States under conditions other than conditions set forth in IC 10-17-12-7.5(2).
(3) The individual meets all other requirements for appointment and hiring as:
(A) a member of the police department; or
(B) a member of the fire department;
including all physical requirements.
(c) An individual who is entitled to the waiver described in subsection (a) is eligible to become a member of the 1977 fund.