(a) During an eligible employee’s parental leave, the applicable employing agency shall continue to pay the employer’s contribution to maintain any health care benefits the employee had at the time of the qualifying event for the duration of the leave as if the eligible employee had continued in employment continuously from the date the eligible employee commenced the parental leave until the date the eligible employee returns from the leave.
(b) The eligible employee shall continue to pay his or her share of the cost of health care benefits, if any, as was required of him or her prior to the commencement of parental leave.