44.125. Agency to work with volunteers. - Missouri Statutes

Agency to work with volunteers.

44.125. 1. The agency may develop effective citizen involvement torecruit, train and accept the services of volunteers to supplement theprograms administered by the agency.

2. Volunteers recruited, trained or accepted by the agency shallcomply with applicable agency policy regulations.

3. The agency shall:

(1) Provide staff as deemed necessary for the effective managementand development of volunteer programs;

(2) Take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to developmeaningful opportunities for citizen involvement in agency-administeredprograms;

(3) Develop and provide to all volunteers written rules governing thejob descriptions, recruitment, screening, training responsibility,utilization and supervision of volunteers;

(4) Educate volunteers to ensure that they understand their dutiesand responsibilities;

(5) Provide a receptive environment for citizen involvement; and

(6) Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offeredexceptional service to the agency.

4. Volunteers shall be deemed unpaid employees and shall be accordedthe protection of the legal expense fund and other provisions of section105.711, RSMo.

5. Reimbursement for transportation and other necessary expenses maybe furnished to those volunteers whose presence on special assignment isdetermined to be necessary by the agency. Such expenses shall bereimbursed from the regular appropriations of the agency. Volunteers mayuse state vehicles in the performance of agency-related duties, subject tothose rules and regulations governing use of state vehicles by paid staff.

6. As used in this section, "volunteer" means any person who, of hisor her own free will, performs any assigned duties for the agency with nomonetary or material compensation.

7. Any person serving as a volunteer may be terminated from servicein that capacity by the director.

(L. 1998 S.B. 743)