19-11-108. Leave of absence for state, city or county officers and employees; training programs.

(a) Any member of the national guard of any state or United States military forces reserve who is an officer or employee of this state or any political subdivision, municipal corporation or any public agency or entity of the state, including community colleges, shall be given a military leave of absence with pay at the regular salary or wage which the employee normally receives, not to exceed fifteen (15) calendar days in any one (1) calendar year to perform service in the uniformed services in addition to any other leave or vacation time to which the person is otherwise entitled.

(b) Subject to the conditions prescribed in paragraphs (c)(i) through (v) of this section, any officer or employee of the state or any political subdivision, municipal corporation or public agency of the state who has been employed for one (1) year and who is a member of the national guard of any state or any other component of the military forces of a state, a member of the reserve forces of the United States or who is inducted into the military service of the United States, is entitled to leave of absence from his public office or employment without pay but without loss of seniority, status, efficiency rating, vacation, sick leave or other benefits while he is engaged in active military training or service ordered or authorized by proper authority pursuant to law exceeding fifteen (15) days in any calendar year. Such leave is in addition to any other military leave or vacation time to which the officer or employee may be entitled by law if the required military service is satisfactorily performed, which is presumed unless the contrary is established.

(c) Upon completion of service as provided by subsection (b) of this section, the officer or employee shall be reinstated to the public position held at the time of entry into service or a position of like seniority, status and pay, if available, upon the following conditions:

(i) The position has not been abolished or the term thereof, if limited, has not expired;

(ii) He is not physically or mentally disabled from performing the duties of the position;

(iii) He makes written application for reinstatement to the appointing authority within thirty (30) days following release from military service or within ninety (90) days after discharge from hospitalization or medical treatment which immediately follows the termination of, and results from, the service but not to exceed one (1) year and ninety (90) days after termination of service notwithstanding hospitalization or medical treatment;

(iv) He submits an honorable discharge or other release by proper authority indicating his military service was satisfactory; and

(v) The military service does not exceed five (5) years plus any period of additional service imposed by law.

(d) Upon reinstatement, the officer or employee has the same rights with respect to accrued and future seniority, status, efficiency rating, vacation, sick leave and other benefits as if he had been actually employed during the time of leave. During the absence, the state of Wyoming or a political subdivision shall discontinue its share of payments for social security, insurance of any type and state retirement unless the employee elects to contribute to the state retirement plan during his absence and the job or office remains open pending his return in which case the state of Wyoming or a political subdivision will likewise contribute its share. No officer or employee reinstated shall be removed or discharged within one (1) year thereafter except for cause, after notice and hearing, but this shall not operate to extend a term of service or office limited by law.

(e) This section shall be liberally construed in favor of the member of the national guard of any state or United States military forces who is an officer or employee of this state or any political subdivision, municipal corporation or any public agency of this state.