1. Pursuant to the provisions of NRS 284.343, any department, board, commission or agency of this State may authorize the expenditure of public money or expend public money for the payment of educational leave stipends to any officer or employee of this State.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 284.343, the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services of the Department of Health and Human Services may, where part of the cost of educational leave stipends may be paid from funds made available by the Federal Government or another source to assist in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of administration of public welfare programs by increasing the number of adequately trained personnel available for work in public welfare programs, grant educational leave stipends. No person may be granted educational leave stipends under the provisions of this subsection until the person has entered into a contract with the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services whereby the person agrees to pursue only courses required for social work degrees and to return to the employ of the Division on the basis of 1 year for each 9 months’ educational leave taken or to refund the amount of such stipends. Performance of the employment contract may be waived by the Administrator of the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services in cases of extreme hardship or other valid excuse.

3. The provisions of NRS 284.343 do not apply to employees of the Rehabilitation Division of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation where the educational expenses are paid from money made available by the Federal Government or another source to assist the recipient to remain current in techniques and procedures relating to the recipient’s employment. No person may be granted assistance under this subsection without the prior approval of the Director of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation as to educational subject matter.

[1:152:1953] + [2:152:1953] — (NRS A 1960, 156; 1963, 898; 1965, 397; 1971, 570, 1324; 1973, 1406; 1993, 1549; 1997, 2337)