In areas of this state that have been declared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) eligible for Public Assistance, state and local governmental entities, and any other entity expending public funds, are hereby authorized to use their employees, property, and other resources, pursuant to this section, to provide services on private land or homes to the extent necessary to aid in disaster relief. Disaster relief shall be designed to assist in removing health and safety hazards and returning homes to a safe and habitable level. The disaster relief shall be limited to the cleanup of debris and repair of damage caused by a natural disaster. The disaster relief shall not be utilized for work relating to general home improvements. No state or local governmental employee or employee of an entity expending public funds, pursuant to this section, shall be assigned to duties which include the provision of disaster relief services unless the employee’s job description includes duties of the same type as are required to provide the disaster relief services or the employee voluntarily agrees to such assignment. Such employees shall not be disciplined or terminated for failure to participate in disaster relief. However, an employee whose job description includes duties of the same type as are required to provide disaster relief services are not exempt from disciplinary action or termination for failure to perform disaster relief duties at the request of his or her employer. The Legislature finds that it is a public purpose to provide disaster relief pursuant to this section.

Added by Laws 1999, c. 382, § 4, eff. July 1, 1999.