In lieu of sick leave and vacation provisions of Sections 19858.1 and 19859, eligible employees, as defined by subdivision (d) of Section 19858.3, may participate in an annual leave program subject to the conditions of the appropriate memorandum of understanding. Each employee who participates in the annual leave program and who is employed full time shall receive credit for annual leave with pay in accordance with the following schedule:

Part-time and hourly employees shall accrue proportional annual leave credits based on the schedule in this section. The time when annual leave shall be taken shall be determined by the appointing power of the officer or employee. Employees shall have use of any accrued sick leave they have accrued at the time they elect the annual leave program under the same conditions as other employees not participating in the program.

The department shall provide by rule for the regulation and accumulation of annual leave, the effect of an absence from the payroll of 10 work days or less in any calendar month upon credit for annual leave, methods by which employees leaving the employment of one state agency and entering the employment of another state agency may be compensated for, transfer, or otherwise receive proper credit for, their accumulated annual leave, and other provisions necessary for the administration of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 457, Sec. 7. Effective September 21, 1999.)