For the purposes of Sections 19859, 19860, 19861, 19862, 19862.1, 19863, 19863.1, 19864, 19865.1, 19866, and 19868, sick leave benefits provided to state employees pursuant to the state sick leave system shall be construed to mean compensation paid to employees on approved leaves of absence on account of sickness.

(Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1040, Sec. 43.)