(1) It is the policy of the state of Montana to:

(a)         provide paid time off not charged to an employee's accrued leave or compensatory time for an employee affected by a disaster or emergency as declared by the governor under the authority in 10-3-302 and 10-3-303, MCA;

(b) provide paid time off not charged to an employee's accrued leave or compensatory time for an employee who is a trained and certified American red cross volunteer to provide specialized disaster relief services for the red cross; and

(c) allow employees to take accrued annual vacation leave compensatory time, or leave of absence without pay to deal with personal emergencies or to provide volunteer service during a disaster or emergency which does not personally affect the employee; and

(d) allow the closure of work sites affected by a localized disaster or emergency under conditions described in this policy.

(2) It is the objective of this policy to:

(a) administer leave for state employees during a disaster or emergency in compliance with Title 10, chapter 3, parts 1-4, MCA, and rules relating to annual vacation leave, sick leave, leave of absence without pay and compensatory time; and

(b) to provide temporary paid time off to employees when a work site is closed due to a local disaster or emergency.