2006 Minnesota Statutes

383B.389 DISASTER VOLUNTEER LEAVE.
    Subdivision 1. Leave authorized. A county employee who is a certified disaster services
volunteer of the American Red Cross or emergency disaster services volunteer of the Salvation
Army or similar volunteer of a disaster services organization approved by the Hennepin County
board may be granted leave from work with 50 percent of pay, not to exceed 15 working days
in each year, to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross or
another approved disaster services organization. The employee must be released from work for
this function upon the request of the approved disaster services organization for the services of
that employee, and upon the approval of that employee's appointing authority. The appointing
authority must compensate the employee granted leave under this section at 50 percent of the
employee's regular rate of pay for those regular hours during which the employee is absent
from work. This leave, if granted by the appointing authority, does not affect the employee's
vacation leave, pension, compensatory time, personal vacation days, sick leave, earned overtime
accumulation, or cause a loss of seniority.
    Subd. 2. Liability. The county is not liable for workers' compensation claims arising from
accident or injury while a county employee is on an approved assignment with an approved
disaster services organization. Duties performed while on disaster leave are not considered to be a
work assignment by the county. The employee is granted leave based on the need for expertise in
the employee's certified area. Job functions, although similar or related to the employee's county
job functions, are performed on behalf of and for the benefit of the disaster services organization.
History: 2001 c 40 s 1