Section 70A.26 - Disaster service volunteer leave1. An employee of an appointing authority who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American red cross may be granted leave with pay from work for not more than fifteen working days in any twelve-month period to participate in disaster relief services for the American red cross at the request of the American red cross for the services of that employee and upon the approval of the employee's appointing authority without loss of seniority, pay, vacation time, personal days, sick leave, insurance and health coverage benefits, or earned overtime accumulation. The appointing authority shall compensate an employee granted leave under this section at the employee's regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work.2. An employee granted leave under this section shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of workers' compensation. An employee granted leave under this section shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of the Iowa tort claims Act, chapter 669.3. Leave under this section shall be granted only for services relating to a disaster in the state of Iowa.