Sec. 661.909.  LEAVE WITHOUT PAY;  LEAVE OF ABSENCE.  (a)  A state agency or institution of higher education may grant employees leave without pay, including a leave of absence without pay, in accordance with this section.
(b)  The duration of the leave may not exceed 12 months.
(c)  Except for disciplinary suspensions, active military duty, and leave covered by workers' compensation benefits, all accumulated paid leave entitlements must be used before going on leave without pay status.  Sick leave must first be used only if the employee is taking leave for a reason for which the employee is eligible to take sick leave under Subchapter G.
(d)  Subject to fiscal constraints, approval of the leave constitutes a guarantee of employment at the conclusion of the specified leave period.
(e)  The administrative head of a state agency or institution of higher education may grant exceptions to the limitations of this section if the employee is taking the leave for a reason such as:
(1)  to work for another state governmental entity under an interagency agreement;  or
(2)  educational purposes.
(f)  Except for an employee who returns to state employment from military leave without pay under Section 661.904, a full calendar month during which an employee is on leave without pay is not counted in computing:
(1)  total state service for purposes related to longevity pay or to the rate of accrual of vacation leave;  or
(2)  continuous state service for purposes related to merit salary provisions or vacation leave.
(g)  An employee does not accrue vacation or sick leave for a full calendar month during which the employee is on leave without pay.
(h)  A full or partial calendar month during which an employee is on leave without pay does not constitute a break in continuity of employment.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 19, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.