Sec. 9. As used in this chapter, "public employer" means any of the following that employ an individual to serve as a law enforcement officer:
(1) The state or a state agency, including a state educational institution.
(2) A county, city, or town.
(3) A school corporation or governing board of a charter school.
(4) An airport authority.
(5) A hospital licensed under IC 16-21-2 or health system that is:
(A) a unit of state or local government; or
(B) owned or operated by a unit of state or local government.