Section 31656.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any district established pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 40000) of Division 10 of the Public Utilities Code, from extending retirement service credit pursuant to Section 40127 of the Public Utilities Code to any employee of the district who is on an authorized leave of absence to serve as an official of a recognized employee bargaining unit, under all of the following conditions:

(a) The employee or the recognized employee organization, or both, as determined pursuant to applicable provisions of this part, agree to pay the total contributions which would otherwise be paid if the employee were not on leave, as well as any additional costs which may accrue to the system as a result of this extension of coverage.

(b) The maximum service credit accumulated under this section shall not exceed 12 years.

(c) Employees covered under this section shall not be eligible for disability benefits under any public employees' retirement system in this state while on such leave of absence.

This section shall not be operative in any county until such time as the board of supervisors shall, by resolution adopted by majority vote, make the provisions of this section applicable in the county.

(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 448, Sec. 1.)