Sec. 11.0281. VOLUNTEER LIABILITY AND IMMUNITY. (a) In this section, "volunteer" means a person rendering services for or on behalf of the department without the expectation of receiving monetary compensation from the department other than reimbursement for expenses incurred by the person during the performance of the service. The term does not include:

(1) a person performing services as a result of a community service or community supervision sentence; or

(2) an inmate providing labor pursuant to Section 497.091, Government Code, or similar law.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a volunteer while acting within the course and scope of the volunteer's assignment for the department is immune from civil liability for any act or omission of the volunteer resulting from the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment owned or leased by the department.

(c) This section does not apply to an act or omission that is intentional, wilfully negligent, or done with conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.

(d) The department shall, from any funds appropriated to the department, compensate a claimant for property damage, personal injury, or death proximately caused by the wrongful act or omission or the negligence of a volunteer acting within the scope of the volunteer's assignment if:

(1) the property damage, personal injury, or death arises from the operation or use of a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment owned or leased by the department; and

(2) the volunteer would be personally liable to the claimant under the laws of this state in the absence of the immunity provided by this section.

(e) The amount of compensation paid under Subsection (d) may not exceed the maximum amount applicable to a state agency as specified by Section 101.023(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

(f) A volunteer operating or using a motor-driven vehicle or motor-driven equipment owned or leased by the department who is acting within the course and scope of a volunteer assignment for the department is exempt from the requirements of Chapter 601, Transportation Code.

(g) Except as provided by Subsection (d), this section does not create any liability of or waive any immunity of the department, employees of the department, or volunteers for the department.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 184 (S.B. 381), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.