OK SB2260

State employees certified as American Red Cross disaster volunteers or Civil Air Patrol members may receive up to 15 working days of paid leave per 12-month period to participate in disaster relief services within Oklahoma.

Leave must be authorized by the state agency chief executive officer and approved by the Governor's office, with no loss of pay, annual leave, sick leave, or compensatory time.

State employee disaster volunteer participation is capped at 500 participants at any time, with the American Red Cross or Civil Air Patrol submitting justification reports to the Governor's office within 60 days of requests.

Private employers are encouraged to allow employees to take leave for volunteer disaster service programs, and school administrators are encouraged to excuse students age 16 and older for such volunteer work.

Act becomes effective November 1, 2010.