Ch. 347                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(viii) AN OPTOMETRIST;
(IX) A physical therapist;
[(ix) physician;] or
(x) A podiatrist;

(3)     AN ACCREDITED CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTITIONER; OR

(4)     A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER ORGANIZATION UNDER AS DEFINED BY
THE FEDERAL FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT.

(C) THE CERTIFICATE REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION
DUE TO AN EMPLOYEE'S ILLNESS OR DISABILITY SHALL INCLUDE A PROGNOSIS
ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE'S ABILITY TO RETURN TO WORK.

(D) AN APPOINTING AUTHORITY MAY WAIVE THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATE
OF ILLNESS UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION IF AN EMPLOYEE DOES NOT
HAVE A HISTORY OF SICK LEAVE ABUSE.

[7-508.] 9-505.

(a)     [With the approval of the head of the employee's principal department or
other independent unit, an] AN employee who is primarily responsible for the care and
nurturing of a child may use, without certification of illness or disability, up to 30 days of
accrued sick leave to care for the child during the period immediately following:

(1)     the birth of the employee's child; or

(2)     the placement of the child with the employee for adoption.

(b)     [With the approval of the head of the employee's principal department or
other independent unit, an] AN employee who is secondarily responsible for the care and
nurturing of a child may use, without certification of illness or disability, up to 10 days of
accrued sick leave to care for the child during the period immediately following IF TWO
EMPLOYEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE AND NURTURING OF A CHILD, BOTH
EMPLOYEES IN AGGREGATE MAY USE WITHOUT CERTIFICATION OF ILLNESS OR
DISABILITY, UP TO 40 DAYS, NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS FOR ONE EMPLOYEE OF
ACCRUED SICK LEAVE TO CARE FOR THE CHILD DURING THE PERIOD
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING:

(1)     the birth of the employee's EMPLOYEES' child; or

(2)     the placement of the child with the employee EMPLOYEES for adoption.

(C) (1) AN EMPLOYEE WHO USES ACCRUED SICK LEAVE FOLLOWING THE
BIRTH OF THE EMPLOYEE'S CHILD MAY NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT UNDER THIS
SUBTITLE UNLESS THE EMPLOYEE GIVES THE EMPLOYEE'S IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR
INFORMATION REQUIRED BY GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY ABOUT THE
FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 ET SEQ.

(2) AN EMPLOYEE WHO USES ACCRUED SICK LEAVE FOR ADOPTION
PURPOSES MAY NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT UNDER THIS SUBTITLE UNLESS THE

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