Each appointing authority shall grant to each full-time employee in a permanent position in the state service or full-time employee of a quasi-public agency who (1) is blind or physically disabled, and (2) has been employed for at least twelve consecutive months, the use of accumulated paid sick leave, not to exceed fifteen days, to participate in training conducted by a guide dog organization or assistance dog organization, provided such organization is a member of a professional association of guide dog or assistance dog schools, to prepare the employee to handle a guide dog or assistance dog for the employee's own use. The appointing authority may require up to seven days' advance notice of an employee's intention to use such leave and may require the employee to provide reasonable documentation that such leave is being taken for the purpose permitted under this section.
(P.A. 08-4, S. 1.)