(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), an appointing power shall grant a leave of absence without pay for the purposes of pregnancy, childbirth or the recovery therefrom for a period as determined by the employee not exceeding one year to any permanent female employee under the jurisdiction of the appointing power. When the employee has notified the appointing power as to the period of the leave of absence required, any change in the length of the period of leave shall not be effective unless approved by the appointing power.

(b) If the provisions of subdivision (a) are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

(c) For an employee who is excluded from the definition of state employee in subdivision (c) of Section 3513, the following shall apply:

(1) An appointing power shall grant a female permanent employee’s request for a leave of absence without pay for the purposes of pregnancy, childbirth, or the recovery therefrom, for a period not to exceed one year. When the employee has notified the appointing power as to the period of the leave of absence required, any change in the length of the period of leave shall not be effective unless approved by the appointing power.

(2) An appointing power shall grant the request of a male spouse who is a permanent employee or a male parent who is a permanent employee for a leave of absence without pay for a period not to exceed one year to care for his newborn child. When the employee has notified the appointing power as to the period of the leave of absence required, any change in the length of the period of leave shall not be effective unless approved by the appointing power.

(3) An appointing power may grant a permanent employee’s request for a leave of absence without pay for the adoption of a child for a period not to exceed one year. The employee shall provide substantiation to support the employee’s request for adoption leave. When the employee has notified the appointing power as to the period of the leave of absence required, any change in the length of the period of leave shall not be effective unless approved by the appointing power.

(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 109, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 1994.)