DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 358 Original 2018 Regular Session Foil
Abstract: Authorizes a registry and credentialing of volunteers in disaster or emergency response,
provides limitations of liability for volunteers, and adds provisions governing leave from
employment for volunteers deployed on a mission.
Present law provides a limitation of liability for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in
Disaster or its member organizations who gratuitously render disaster relief or recovery services.
Proposed law extends present law to other volunteer agencies.
Present law provides for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which, in part, provides
that officers or employees of a state, political subdivisions, or local governments rendering aid to
another state pursuant to the compact shall be considered agents of the requesting state for purpose
of liability and immunity.
Proposed law extends the application of present law to registered and credentialed volunteer
organizations.
Proposed law authorizes the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
(GOHSEP) to establish a registry of volunteers to be deployed either by GOHSEP or the parish
office of homeland security and emergency preparedness. Defines "volunteer" and authorizes
GOHSEP to provide credentials, including identification cards or badges for volunteers.
Proposed law provides that registered and credentialed volunteers shall be treated as unpaid agents
of the state or parish for purposes of liability when in the course and scope of their deployment.
Authorizes these volunteers to make claims if they suffer damage to their property or expend funds
to accomplish an assigned mission, and to receive state or parish commodities.
Proposed law provides for a leave of absence from employment, both public and private, for
volunteers serving. Proposed law provides for leave without loss of pay up to 15 days per calendar
year for public sector employees, and provides for leave without pay up to 15 days per calendar year
for private sector employees. Provides for additional restrictions and criteria in this regard.
Proposed law further provides that GOHSEP may coordinate the sharing of equipment between
public and private entities.
(Amends R.S. 9:2793.8, R.S. 29:733(C)(Art. 6), and R.S. 33:4712.18(A)(3); Adds R.S. 29:735.4 and R.S. 42:1102(18)(b)(iii))