(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Disaster Services Volunteer Leave Act of 1995."

(b) As used in this section, the following words have the following meanings:

(1) DISASTER. Any disaster designated at level IV and above in the American National Red Cross Regulations and Procedures.

(2) STATE AGENCY. Any department, office, commission, board, institution, or other entity of the state, including but not limited to, the offices of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and clerks of the appellate courts, the several courts of the state, and the Legislature, its committees or commissions.

(c) An employee of a state agency who is a certified Disaster Services Volunteer of the American Red Cross may be granted leave from work with pay not to exceed 15 work days in any 12-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 recommendation of the employee's agency head and with the approval of the Governor, without loss of seniority, pay, vacation time, sick time, or earned overtime accumulation. The employee's agency shall compensate an employee granted leave under this section at his or her regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work while participating in disaster relief services pursuant to this section. The employee's agency head shall assure that no loss of agency productivity shall result from such recommended and approved leave.