Notwithstanding section 78-23, no leave of absence shall be granted to any employee who leaves a position covered under this chapter for a position that is exempt from this chapter under section 76-16(b)(7), (8), (9), (10), or (16) and whose term of appointment is not less than one year; provided that this section shall not apply to any employee whose collective bargaining agreement provides for the granting of a longer leave of absence.
HRS § 76-30.5