(a)
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(2) of this section, whenever an employee is separated from the agency by reason of resignation, layoff, termination of appointment, or dismissal, the unused annual leave to his or her credit as of his or her last duty date shall be liquidated by a lump-sum payment, not to exceed thirty (30) working days, inclusive of holidays.
(2) Unused annual leave to the credit of a fire and emergency service employee under § 21-4-204(a)(2) shall be liquidated by a lump-sum payment, not to exceed forty-five (45) working days, inclusive of holidays.
(b)
(1) Unused accumulated annual leave of a deceased employee, not to exceed thirty (30) days, shall be payable either to the estate of the deceased or to an individual authorized to receive such payment.
(2) Payment for services of an employee on leave with pay status at the time of death shall continue through close of business on the day of demise.
(3) No payment shall be made in any case until it shall have been determined that the deceased was not indebted to the agency.
(4) A voucher shall be prepared for the money due to be made payable either to the estate of the deceased or to an individual authorized to receive such payment.