2-18-617. Accumulation of leave -- cash for unused -- transfer. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), annual vacation leave may be accumulated to a total not to exceed two times the maximum number of days earned annually as of the end of the first pay period of the next calendar year. Excess vacation time is not forfeited if taken within 90 calendar days from the last day of the calendar year in which the excess was accrued.
     (b) It is the responsibility of the head of an employing agency to provide reasonable opportunity for an employee to use rather than forfeit accumulated vacation leave. If an employee makes a reasonable written request to use excess vacation leave before the excess vacation leave must be forfeited under subsection (1)(a) and the employing agency denies the request, the excess vacation leave is not forfeited and the employing agency shall ensure that the employee may use the excess vacation leave before the end of the calendar year in which the leave would have been forfeited under subsection (1)(a).
     (2) An employee who terminates employment for a reason not reflecting discredit on the employee is entitled upon the date of termination to cash compensation for unused vacation leave, assuming that the employee has worked the qualifying period set forth in 2-18-611.
     (3) However, if an employee transfers between agencies of the same jurisdiction, cash compensation may not be paid for unused vacation leave. In a transfer, the receiving agency assumes the liability for the accrued vacation credits transferred with the employee.
     (4) This section does not prohibit a school district from providing cash compensation for unused vacation leave in lieu of the accumulation of the leave, either through a collective bargaining agreement or, in the absence of a collective bargaining agreement, through a policy.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 131, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 350, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 121, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 148, L. 1974; Sec. 59-1002, R.C.M. 1947; (2), (3)En. Sec. 3, Ch. 131, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 350, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 476, L. 1973; Sec. 59-1003, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 59-1002, 59-1003; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 548, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 568, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 115, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 143, L. 1997.