(a) Volunteer program.--The commission shall have the power and authority to do all things necessary and expedient to maintain a volunteer program and to promulgate rules and regulations under this section.

(b) Services of individuals without compensation.--The executive director or his designee is authorized to recruit, train and accept, without regard to the civil service classification laws, rules or regulations, the services of individuals without compensation as volunteers for or in aid of interpretive functions, education and information programs, boating safety and water rescue programs, conservation measures, habitat improvement and other activities related to fish and fishing and boats and boating.

(c) Expenses.--The commission is authorized to pay reasonable and necessary expenses for volunteers, in accordance with Statewide guidelines, for transportation, uniforms, lodging and subsistence.

(d) Status of volunteers.--

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall not be deemed to be a Commonwealth employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Commonwealth employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation and Commonwealth employee benefits.

(2) Volunteers performing work under the terms of this section acting within the scope of their volunteer duties shall be authorized to operate Commonwealth vehicles and watercraft and shall be treated for the purposes of automotive and general liability as employees of the Commonwealth.

(3) For the purposes of the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, volunteers under this section shall be deemed employees of the Commonwealth.

(4) No volunteer shall be assigned to any full-time or wage position that is covered by any labor agreement, presently filled, vacant or authorized in the commission.

(5) As to civil damages, the standard of care for acts or omissions by commission volunteers acting within the scope of their duties shall be as set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 8332.4 (relating to volunteer-in-public-service negligence standard).

(Jan. 29, 1998, P.L.31, No.7, eff. imd.; Nov. 1, 2012, P.L.1716, No.211, eff. 60 days)

2012 Amendment. Act 211 amended subsec. (d)(4).

1998 Amendment. Act 7 added section 327.