(a) An employee of a state agency or an employee of a state-supported institution of higher learning may be granted leave from work with pay for not more than fifteen (15) working days in any calendar year to participate in specialized disaster relief, without loss of seniority, pay, annual leave, sick leave, compensatory time, offset time, or overtime wages if the employee:
(1) Is trained and certified as a disaster service volunteer by the American Red Cross;
(2) Has specialized disaster relief services that are requested by the American Red Cross in connection with a disaster; and
(3) Obtains consent from the chief executive officer of his or her state agency or state-supported institution of higher learning.
(b) The state agency or state-supported institution of higher learning 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.
(c) Leave under this subchapter shall be granted only for disaster relief services occurring within the State of Arkansas or for disaster relief services occurring within states contiguous to the State of Arkansas.
(d) An employee deemed to be on leave under this chapter shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state or of a state-supported institution of higher learning for purposes of workers' compensation.