GOV §19991.2: (a) The appointing power may grant to an employee under his or her jurisdiction who has permanent civil service status or a probationer who immediately preceding his or her appointment to his or her p

(a) The appointing power may grant to an employee under his or her jurisdiction who has permanent civil service status or a probationer who immediately preceding his or her appointment to his or her position held permanent civil service status in the same or some other class a leave of absence without pay for not to exceed two years for service in a technical cooperation program as a temporary employee of another governmental agency, a nonprofit organization, or a recognized college or university upon the request of the agency. Within three months of termination of this service, the employee shall be reinstated to his or her former position pursuant to Section 19143. (b) If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if those provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.