1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, after consultation with appointing authorities, and in cooperation with the State Board of Examiners, the Commission shall adopt regulations for all training of employees in the state service. Professional employees of the teaching staff, Agricultural Extension Service and Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station staffs of the Nevada System of Higher Education, or any other state institution of learning and student employees of such an institution are exempt from the provisions of this section.

2. The regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 1 must set forth the conditions under which educational leave stipends may be paid to any officer or employee of the State. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 612.230 and with the exception of intermittent course work not leading to the awarding of a degree, no person may be granted educational leave stipends until the person has entered into a contract with the person’s employing agency whereby the person agrees to pursue only those courses required for a degree related to the person’s employment with the State and to return to the employ of the person’s employing agency on the basis of 1 year for each 9 months of educational leave taken or to refund the total amount of the stipends regardless of the balance at the time of separation.

3. This section does not prevent the granting of sabbatical leaves by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada.

4. Where practicable all training for state employees must be presented through established educational institutions within the State.

5. The Division shall coordinate all training activities related to remedial programs and programs for career development designed to correct educational and training deficiencies of state employees and create employment opportunities for the disadvantaged. In connection with these activities, the Division, with the approval of the Governor, is designated to enter into contractual arrangements with the Federal Government and others that provide grants or other money for educational and training activities.

(Added to NRS by 1971, 570; A 1983, 634; 1993, 377; 2003, 1445)