(a) For each class compensated in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 19830 and for which the salary range is designated by the Department as trade rate, the appointing power shall ascertain and report to the Department the prevailing practice in comparable employment for payments by employers under private plans to provide health and welfare benefits to employees.

(b) The Department shall only authorize payments into plans that meet the following standards:

(c) The Department shall report to the State Controller the name of the agency or individual authorized to receive contributions to such fund or funds.

(d) For the purposes of this regulation, “nonpermanent employees” are defined as employees whose appointments are of less than six months' duration.

(e) Nonpermanent employees in classes compensated in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 19830 for whom payments are made by the state into private health and welfare funds may not, during the period of such nonpermanent employment, receive any credits for vacation, retirement, sick leave, or any other related benefits as provided for other state employees for service rendered during the period of such nonpermanent employment.

(f) Any permanent or probationary employee who accepts an appointment on a nonpermanent basis to a class compensated in accordance with the provisions of Government Code section 19830 may elect not to have payments under health and welfare plans as provided in Government Code section 19831 made, in which event the employee will continue to receive credits for benefits which are now or may hereafter be granted directly by the state.