§79-19 Leave for employees to work at the state legislature. Notwithstanding the limitations of any other law to the contrary, upon the request of any member of the legislature, for the services of any employee of the State or of any of its subdivisions or agencies, the governor of the State, or the mayor or the chairperson of an independent board or commission having charge of its own funds, may grant to any such employee a leave of absence in order to render service at the state legislature. Any employee granted the leave of absence shall retain membership and all the benefits and rights of the employee's permanent employment and in the employees' retirement system as though the employee had remained in the service of the State, subdivision, or agency. Upon returning from the leave of absence the employee shall be reinstated to the position the employee left and shall be entitled to such compensation as the employee would have then been entitled had the employee remained in the service of the State, subdivision, or agency. Any employee of the State or any of its subdivisions or agencies who was granted a leave of absence and was employed by the legislature during the period between August 21, 1959, and May 19, 1961, and who otherwise would have been entitled to the benefits conferred by this section shall be credited with such benefits including membership in the retirement system as though the employee had remained at the employee's job in the service of the State, subdivision, or agency. [L 1961, c 74, §1; am L 1965, c 275, §1; Supp, §5-45.5; HRS §79-19; gen ch 1985, 1993]