PURPOSE: This rule defines the meaning of specific words and terms pertaining to leaves of absence.

1. (1) The following words and terms, used with specific intent throughout this rule and 1 CSR 20-5.020 or in their administration, are defined for clarity:

   1. (A) Annual leave is a form of compensation authorized by the state and paid to an eligible employee by means of paid time off from work, under the conditions set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020(1);
   2. (B) Annual leave accrual is the accumulation of hours of paid time off as a form of compensation earned by the employee. Eligibility to earn and accrue annual leave as a form of compensation is limited to and shall not exceed a maximum number of hours stipulated by law and set forth in 1 CSR 20- 5.020(1);
   3. (C) Sick leave is a benefit granted by the state to the employee in the form of paid time off from work due to illness, under the conditions set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020(2) or for Personal Wellness Leave as set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020(2);
   4. (D) Sick leave accrual is the accumulation of hours of eligibility for paid time off from work conferred upon an eligible employee as a benefit by the state for specific purposes and under specific conditions that are set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020(2);
   5. (E) Personal Wellness Leave is the ability of an employee to use up to one (1) hour of accrued sick leave per month for personal wellness under specific conditions that are set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020(2)(O);
   6. (F) Paid time off from work authorized by the state and conferred upon the employee by the appointing authority and solely at the discretion of the appointing authority for the purpose deemed appropriate and in the best interest of the state may be called administrative leave; and
   7. (G) A semi-monthly pay period of semimonth is that period of one-half (1/2) of a calendar month established by the Office of Administration as the pay cycle for state employees.

2. (2) For the purposes of leaves of absence as set out in 1 CSR 20-5.020, state service time shall be defined as—

   1. (A) The total length of time of employment in any department, division, or agency of state government that is covered by the provisions of section 36.350, RSMo, and under the conditions set forth in 1 CSR 20-5.020;
   2. (B) Time of state paid employment in the Offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Houses of the Missouri State Legislature, the Missouri State Judiciary, Missouri State Courts Administrator, Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan and, Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System, shall be recognized and accepted as time of state service for the purposes of eligibility for and accrual of paid leaves of absences; and
   3. (C) Employment with other state funded public entities when these entities have been accepted for coverage under the provisions of 1 CSR 20-5.015(3)(B).

3. (3) For the purposes of leaves of absence as set out in 1 CSR 20-5.020, an eligible employee shall be defined as—

   1. (A) Any employee of the state of Missouri covered by the provisions of section 36.350, RSMo; and
   2. (B) Any state paid employee of elected state officials, specifically employees of the Offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney General, Houses of the Missouri State Legislature, the Missouri State Judiciary, Missouri State Courts Administrator, Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan, Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System and other state funded public entities, shall be considered eligible employees under 1 CSR 20-5.020 upon submission of written certification of adherence to the provisions of 1 CSR 20-5.020 and acceptance by the Personnel Advisory Board of the public entity for coverage under the rule. AUTHORITY: section 36.060, RSMo Supp. 2013, and section 36.070, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed July 21, 1994, effective Feb. 26, 1995. Amended: Filed Sept. 15, 1999, effective April 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Sept. 11, 2013, effective March 30, 2014. *Original authority: 36.060, RSMo 1945, amended 1971, 1979, 1993, 1995; and 36.070, RSMo 1945, amended 1979, 1995.