(1) The district determines the amount of shared leave, if any, which a leave recipient may receive. However, a leave recipient must not receive more than 522 days of shared leave during total district employment. The district may authorize shared leave in excess of 522 days in extraordinary circumstances for a leave recipient qualifying for shared leave because they are suffering from an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition which is of an extraordinary or severe nature.

Districts are encouraged to consider other methods of accommodating the employee's needs such as modified duty, modified hours, flex-time, or special assignments in place of shared leave.

(2) The district may not prevent an employee from using shared leave intermittently or on nonconsecutive days so long as the leave has not been returned under WAC 392-136A-070.

(3) An employee receiving shared leave for parental leave in accordance with WAC 392-136A-020 may receive up to 16 weeks of parental leave immediately after the birth or placement, unless the birth parent suffers from a pregnancy disability. When a birth parent suffers from a pregnancy disability, the period of 16 weeks for parental leave begins immediately after the pregnancy disability has ended provided the parental leave is used within the first year of the child's life.

(4) An employee receiving industrial insurance wage replacement benefits may receive up to 25 percent of their base salary from the receipt of shared leave.