(a) The Commissioner of Administrative Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall implement a voluntary schedule reduction program under which permanent state employees may, with the approval of their appointing authority, take unpaid leave consisting of individual prescheduled days or partial days off, without loss of seniority, benefits, longevity, retirement credit, sick leave, vacation or earned overtime accumulation.
(b) Any unpaid leave taken pursuant to this section shall not be construed to affect an employee's qualifications for exemption under chapter 558.
(c) The Commissioner of Administrative Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.