A vendor in the business enterprises program may request and may be granted a leave of absence for a period of up to twelve months.

A vendor may request a leave of absence when the vendor is unable to maintain his/her responsibilities in a location by reason of a physical or mental condition. A leave of absence will be granted to a vendor:

(1) Only when such request is initiated by that vendor; and

(2) When the mental or physical condition is verified by a medical doctor licensed to practice in the state of Washington; and

(3) Such condition is so prolonged and/or so serious as to cause strong doubt on the part of the vendor and the agency as to the vendor's capacity to maintain full management of his/her location; and

(4) For a total maximum period not to exceed twelve months.

The vendor who has been granted a leave of absence will retain his/her license. His/her agreement to manage a location will be held in abeyance during the leave of absence.

A leave of absence will be terminated by the department at the end of twelve months of [or] sooner, and the vendor will resume the responsibility for his/her location and the agreement reinstated when the mental or physical condition no longer prohibits the vendor from maintaining responsibilities for his/her location.

(5) When verified by a medical doctor licensed to practice in the state of Washington; and/or

(6) When verified by a statement of completion of a program of training or retraining designed to overcome the effects of the mental or physical condition necessitating a leave of absence.

A leave of absence will be terminated by the department at the end of twelve months or sooner, and the vendor's license and/or agreement will be terminated:

(a) When the mental or physical condition is of such duration or severity, as verified by a medical doctor licensed to practice in the state of Washington, that it renders the vendor unable to resume responsibility for the management of that location; and/or

(b) When the vendor fails to complete a program of training or retraining designed to overcome the effects of the mental or physical condition and is unable to resume responsibility for the management of that location.

Upon granting a vendor a leave of absence, the department will assume responsibility for that vendor's location. The department will select a licensee or vendor to manage the location. In the event a licensee or vendor is not available to assume the responsibility of a location while the vendor is on a leave of absence, the department may make such arrangements as necessary to assure the ongoing management of such location. Any profits available in excess to those necessary to secure the management of the location shall accrue to the business enterprises revolving fund.