APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT 1 AUGUST 1991
 
  I.    Policy
 
        All University of Maryland System employees who are
        eligible to earn sick leave may use earned sick leave up to
        a maximum of thirty (30) days as adoption leave subject to
        the following provisions:
 
            A.   Adoption leave is available only in cases of
                 formal adoption;  it is not available in any other
                 case including but not limited to legal
                 guardianship or foster care.
 
            B.   Approved adoption leave shall commence on the
                 actual date of custody of the child without regard
                 to the date of legal adoption.
 
            C.   Adoption leave may be authorized only for
                 employees with primary responsibility for the care
                 of the adoptee.  In the event that both adoptive
                 parents are State employees, adoptive leave shall
                 be available to only one parent.
 
            D.   As adoption is a planned event, employees planning
                 to request adoption leave must advise their
                 department heads in advance to minimize the effect
                 of the absence.
 
            E.   An employee shall be permitted one period of
                 adoption leave for each instance of adoption.  The
                 adoption of more than one individual at any given
                 time shall be treated as a single instance of
                 adoption.
 
  II.   Procedures
 
            A.   Request for Leave
 
                 1.   A request for adoption leave must be in
                      writing to the department head and include:
 
                   -  anticipated beginning and ending dates;
                   -  a statement that the employee has primary
                      responsibility for the care of the adoptee;
                   -  documentation of the adoption.
 
                 2.   The department head shall recommend approval
                      or disapproval of the request.
                 3.   The request is forwarded to the Vice
                      President for Academic Affairs for approval
                      or disapproval. The decision of the Vice
                      President shall be final.