An Act enabling employees on unpaid leave to purchase creditable service

This bill allows public employees who took unpaid parental leave (for birth or adoption) exceeding one month to count that time toward their retirement benefits by making payments. Employees can pay the retirement system the equivalent of what they would have contributed during the leave period, plus interest, either as a lump sum or in installments. The buyback is limited to a maximum of two years of unpaid leave and applies only to leave taken for childbirth or adoption. This directly affects public sector workers on extended parental leave who wish to maintain full retirement credit for that time.