N.Y. Civil Service Law § 151: Leaves of absence for participation in certain athletic competitions

§ 151. Leaves of absence for participation in certain athletic

competitions. 1. For purposes of this section:

(a) The term "public employee" means any person holding a position by

appointment or employment in the service of a public employer.

(b) The term "public employer" means (i) the state of New York, (ii) a

county, city, town, village or any other political subdivision or civil

division of the state, (iii) a school district or any governmental

entity operating a public school, college or university, (iv) a public

improvement or special district, (v) a public authority, commission, or

public benefit corporation, or (vi) any other public corporation, agency

or instrumentality or unit of government which exercises governmental

powers under the laws of the state.

(c) The term "team" means any group leader, coach, official or athlete

who comprises the official delegation of the United States to world, Pan

American or Olympic competition.

2. A public employee who qualifies as a member of a United States team

for athletic competition on the world, Pan American or Olympic level, in

a sport contested in either Pan American or Olympic competitions, shall

at the discretion of the public employer be granted a leave of absence

from employment without loss of pay or diminution of any other

privilege, benefit or right arising out of such employment and in

accordance with the provisions of this section.

3. Such leave shall be available only for the purpose of preparing for

and engaging in either or both such competitions and in no event shall

the total of all such leave granted to a public employee exceed the

period of the official training camp and competition combined or ninety

calendar days a year, whichever is less.

4. The electing public employer shall pay at the employee's regular

rate of pay for each week of leave granted in the amount the employee

would receive for a standard work week. The employee shall not be

entitled to receive compensation for any day spent in camp or

competition for which compensation would not ordinarily be paid.

5. The president of the civil service commission shall promulgate

appropriate rules necessary to effectuate the provisions of this

section.