The executive officer in charge of a state agency, department, or institution or the governing body of any political subdivision or any other employer in this state may grant a leave of absence from employment to a full-time employee of that governmental entity or of that employer who is a member of the legislative assembly for service during any regular or special session of the legislative assembly and for attendance at a meeting of the legislative management or any of its committees. The leave of absence may be without pay, and the employer may reduce or eliminate the payment of any additional benefits normally due the employee while the employee is performing legislative service. If the leave of absence is granted, the employer may not terminate the employment of an employee solely due to the fact that the employee is absent from employment as the result of service in the legislative assembly.