Whenever a state employee is certified for appointment to a higher position by a department before entering military service and the department has requested his service, but was unable to complete any procedural requirement for such appointment by reason of entry into recognized military service and is eligible for reinstatement pursuant to Section 19780, he shall be afforded an opportunity to complete the necessary requirement for such appointment immediately upon return to state service and if completed satisfactorily shall be considered as having been appointed as of the earliest date of appointment appearing on the certificate of eligibles and shall be considered as having been on military leave from such position.

(Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 446.)