Mo. Rev. Stat. § 217.055

Current with changes from the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 217.055 - Volunteer program requirements - coverage as unpaid employees by legal expense fund and workers' compensation - use of state vehicles - expenses

1. The department and its divisions are authorized to develop effective citizen involvement to recruit, train and accept the services of volunteers, to supplement the programs administered by the department or its divisions.

2. Volunteers recruited, trained, or accepted by the department or its divisions shall comply with applicable department or division policy regulations.

3. Each division utilizing the services of volunteers shall:

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

(2) Take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to develop meaningful opportunities for citizen involvement in department-administered programs;

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

(4) Take such actions as are necessary to ensure that volunteers understand their duties and responsibilities;

(5) Take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to ensure a receptive climate for citizen involvement;

(6) Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offered exceptional service to the department or its divisions.

4. Volunteers shall be deemed unpaid employees and shall be accorded the protection of workers' compensation, the legal expense fund and liability provisions.

5. Reimbursement for transportation and other necessary expenses may be furnished to those volunteers whose presence on special assignment is determined to be necessary by the department or its divisions. Such expenses shall be reimbursed from the regular appropriations of the department. Volunteers may utilize state vehicles in the performance of department-related duties, subject to those rules and regulations governing use of state vehicles by paid staff.

6. Any person serving as a volunteer may be terminated from service in that capacity by the director. Any person so terminated shall be given a written statement of the reasons for termination and shall, upon request, be accorded a review of the termination.

§ 217.055, RSMo

L. 1982 H.B. 1196 § 14, A.L. 1989 H.B. 408