§ 54-06-27 — Emergency service volunteers - Leave

Upon issuance of an order or proclamation declaring a state of disaster or emergency
pursuant to chapter 37-17.1, a search emergency by the air force rescue coordination center or
by the department of emergency services, or a declaration of at least a level II disaster by the
American red cross in this or any other state, the executive officer in charge of a state agency or
the governing body of any political subdivision may grant a leave of absence to any full-time
employee of that governmental entity who is an emergency medical service provider, a member
of the civil air patrol, a firefighter, police officer, volunteer member of the North Dakota army or
air national guard, or emergency radio operator, or who performs other services necessary in an
emergency. The leave of absence must be for the purpose of allowing that employee to provide
voluntary emergency services. An individual on leave under this section is not deemed to be an
employee of the governmental entity for the purposes of workforce safety and insurance. The
cumulative leave granted under this section may not exceed twenty working days during any
calendar year. The leave may not result in a loss of compensation, seniority, annual leave, sick
leave, or accrued overtime for which the employee is otherwise eligible.