Notwithstanding any other regulation or statutory authority pertaining to the continuation of coverage for those on an approved leave of absence, the coverage of any eligible State employee and of his dependents, if any, during any period of authorized leave of absence for illness without pay, shall be continued for a period of as much as 3 months or the equivalent number of payroll periods for those not reported on a monthly basis; such period shall commence following the last payroll period or month for which the employee receives a salary payment. The premium for the coverage extended for such period of leave of absence shall be paid for by the State.

L.1974, c. 192, s. 1, eff. Dec. 27, 1974.