252.245. Volunteers, liability, expenses--use of state vehicles--definition. - Missouri Statutes

Volunteers, liability, expenses--use of state vehicles--definition.

252.245. 1. The department of conservation may recruit, train andutilize the services of volunteers, whose services may supplement the programsadministered by the department of conservation.

2. Volunteers recruited, trained or utilized by the department ofconservation shall comply with applicable rules and policies of the departmentof conservation.

3. The department shall:

(1) Provide necessary staff for the management and development ofvolunteer programs;

(2) Develop opportunities for citizen involvement indepartment-administered programs;

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

(4) Educate volunteers regarding their duties and responsibilities;

(5) Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offeredexceptional service to the department.

4. Volunteers or persons functioning within the scope and purpose of thedesignated authority and specifically authorized by the department directorshall be unpaid employees and shall be accorded the protection of the legalexpense fund and liability provisions.

5. Reimbursement for transportation and other necessary expenses may befurnished to the volunteers whose presence on special assignment is determinedto be necessary by the department. Such expenses shall be reimbursed from theregular appropriations of the department. Volunteers specifically authorizedby the department director may use state vehicles in the performance ofdepartment-related functions, subject to the rules and regulations governingthe use of state vehicles by paid staff.

6. As used in this section, "volunteer" means any person who, of theperson's own free will, performs any assigned duties for the department withno monetary or material compensation.

7. Any person serving as a volunteer may be terminated from service insuch capacity by the director of the department.

(L. 1997 H.B. 424)