(a) For the purpose of this section relating to nonindustrial disability leave benefits, an eligible employee is an employee defined by Section 19858.3.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, an eligible employee who has enrolled in the annual leave program under Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 19858.3) shall receive nonindustrial disability leave benefits or Family Care Leave benefits under this article in accordance with all of the following:

(1) A disabled employee shall be eligible to receive Nonindustrial Disability Insurance benefits in an amount equal to one-half full pay, 50 percent of gross salary. An employee covered by Section 19878.5 shall be eligible to receive Nonindustrial Disability Insurance Family Care Leave benefits in an amount equal to one-half full pay, 50 percent of gross salary.

(2) A disabled employee or an employee covered by Section 19878.5 shall be eligible to receive benefits described in paragraph (1) without being required to use any sick leave accrued under Article 3 (commencing with Section 19859) or annual leave accrued under Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 19858.3) unless the employee, in the employee’s sole discretion, elects to use sick leave or annual leave in lieu of receiving benefits.

(3) If the employee elects to use sick leave or annual leave credits prior to receiving payments, the employee shall not be required to exhaust the accrued leave balance.

(4) Following the start of payments, an employee may at any time change from the receipt of payments to the utilization of sick leave or annual leave. Once this election is made, the employee shall not recommence receiving payments until that leave is exhausted.

(5) In accordance with the state’s return to work policy, a disabled employee who is eligible to receive Nonindustrial Disability Insurance benefits and who is medically certified as unable to return to the employee’s full-time work during the period of their disability, may, with medical approval, and at the discretion of the employee’s appointing power, work up to the number of hours, in hour increments, which when combined with the employee’s Nonindustrial Disability Insurance benefits will result in a salary that does not exceed 100 percent of their regular full pay.

(6) If a disabled employee refuses to return to work in a position offered by the employer under the state’s Injured State Worker Assistance Program, Nonindustrial Disability Insurance benefits shall be terminated effective as of the date of the offer.

(7) An employee, with their department head’s approval, may elect to supplement benefits described in paragraph (1) with sick or annual leave up to 100 percent of their regular full pay.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 24, Sec. 11. (SB 83) Effective June 27, 2019.)