A. Any full-time employee of this state who has been employed by the state agency for at least two (2) years prior to the request for leave shall be entitled to six (6) weeks of paid maternity leave following the birth or adoption of the employee's child.

B. Paid maternity leave pursuant to this section shall be in addition to and not in place of sick leave due to pregnancy, as authorized by Section 840-2.20 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

C. An employee who is granted maternity leave pursuant to the provisions of this section shall receive the employee's annual salary without interruption during the maternity leave. For purposes of determining seniority, pay or pay advancement, and performance awards, and for the receipt of any benefit that may be affected by maternity leave, the service of the employee shall be considered uninterrupted by the maternity leave.

D. The Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section.