Section 35IAC1.2-3-5. Leave of absence

   (a) As used in this section, "FMLA" refers to the Family and Medical Leave Act (29 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) and all applicable regulations and amendments.

  (b) A member shall receive service credit for the period of time during which the member is granted a leave of absence under IC 5-10.3-7-6 and for which applicable employer contributions have been made as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise required by the FMLA, the credit shall be allowed if a copy of the grant of the leave of absence is filed with PERF within ninety (90) days from the date the leave was authorized by the employer. No leave granted retroactively by the employer will be considered as creditable service. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by the FMLA or other federal or state laws that specifically require the granting of service credit for authorized unpaid leaves of absence, service credit shall not be granted for any unpaid leaves of absence taken on or after January 1, 2007, if employer contributions are not made for such periods of leave.

(2) A leave of absence will be treated as creditable service only if the member returns to employment for a period of not less than six (6) consecutive months; however, if the member shows to the satisfaction of the fund that there was a bona fide intent to return to employment and comply with this rule and the member was capable of performing such employment, but was prevented from working the full six (6) month period due to illness, injury, or death which occurred subsequent to the date of return to employment, then this six (6) month requirement shall be waived.

  (c) This section and IC 5-10.3-7-6 shall be administered in a manner consistent with the FMLA.

  (d) If the member is compensated while on an FMLA-covered leave, the statutory contributions must be maintained. A member may make contributions as provided in IC 5-10.3-7-6(b) during an unpaid FMLA leave, although such contributions shall not result in service credit for benefit purposes unless employer contributions are made for such period of leave. The member's employer is not required to make contributions with respect to an unpaid FMLA leave; however, if employer contributions are not made, the member shall be entitled only to the eligibility service required by the FMLA.

  (e) In calculating credit for vesting and eligibility purposes, time spent on an FMLA protected leave shall be counted, including any time spent receiving disability benefits while on such leave.

  (f) A member seeking credit for an FMLA leave must provide documentary evidence demonstrating that the statutory requirements have been satisfied.

  (g) Unless otherwise provided by law, a leave of absence is not a separation from service. (Board of Trustees of the Indiana Public Retirement System; 35 IAC 1.2-3-5; filed Dec 20, 1988, 1:00 p.m.: 12 IR 1079; filed May 7, 1998, 4:15 p.m.: 21 IR 3326; readopted filed Oct 31, 2001, 2:18 p.m.: 25 IR 897; adopted Oct 20, 2006: 20061101-IR-035060500ONA; adopted Nov 9, 2007: 20071205-IR-035070818ONA; adopted Dec 14, 2012: 20121226-IR-035120663ONA)