A. Subject to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any benefit payable by this system pursuant to the provisions of this Part on or after January 1, 2002, shall be paid through an electronic funds transfer.
B. Any person may seek an exception to this method of paying benefits if the recipient or the legal guardian of the recipient certifies in writing to the board of trustees that the recipient or guardian does not have an account with a financial institution, or that payment by electronic funds transfer would impose a hardship due to a physical disability or geographic barrier, or would impose a financial hardship. The board of trustees may grant other waivers to the electronic funds transfer requirement in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.