Same; leave from work with pay for certified disaster service volunteers of American red cross; rate of compensation and preservation of benefits; when leave may be granted

An employee of a state agency who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American red cross may be granted leave from work with pay for not more than 20 working days in any twelve-month period to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American red cross, upon the request of the American red cross for the services of that employee and upon the approval of that employee's state agency, without loss of seniority, pay, vacation leave, compensatory time, personal vacation days, sick leave or earned overtime accumulation. The state agency shall compensate an employee granted leave under this section at the employee's regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work. An employee deemed to be on leave under this section shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of workers compensation. An employee deemed to be on leave under this section shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of the Kansas tort claims act. Leave under this act shall be granted only for services related to a disaster occurring within the state of Kansas and states contiguous to Kansas.