Any person, except a person covered under Title 20?A, section 13602, employed in a position other than a temporary position shall be granted a leave of absence to fulfill the duties of a Legislator, provided that the employee gives written notice to his employer of his intent to become a candidate for the Legislature within 10 days after taking action under Title 21?A to place his name on a primary or general election ballot. Following his term of service as a Legislator, the employee, if he is still qualified to perform the duties of the position from which he was granted leave, shall be entitled to be restored to his previous, or a similar, position with the same status, pay and seniority. This leave of absence shall, within the discretion of the employer, be with or without pay and shall be limited to one legislative term of 2 years. [PL 1987, c. 402, Pt. A, §154 (AMD).]