§ 82-b. Emergency service volunteers; paid leave. Notwithstanding any
other provisions of law to the contrary, public officers and employees
of the state who are certified by the American Red Cross as disaster
volunteers shall be granted leave from work with pay to participate in
specialized disaster relief operations upon written request for such
services by the American Red Cross and upon the approval of the chief
administrative officer of the state agency, department or bureau for
which the public officer or employee serves. The public officer or
employee shall be compensated at his or her regular rate of pay for
those regular work hours during which the public officer or employee is
absent from work while participating in authorized specialized disaster
relief operations. Such leave shall be provided without loss of
seniority, compensation, sick leave, vacation leave or other overtime
compensation to which the volunteer is otherwise entitled and shall not
exceed twenty days in any calendar year.