Section 2850-A. Emergency service volunteers; paid leave

Notwithstanding
  any other provisions  of  law  to  the  contrary,  public  officers  and
  employees  of  public  authorities who are certified by the American Red
  Cross as disaster volunteers shall be granted leave from work  with  pay
  to  participate  in  specialized disaster relief operations upon written
  request for such services  by  the  American  Red  Cross  and  upon  the
  approval  of  the  chief executive of the public authority for which the
  public officer or employee serves. The public officer or employee  shall
  be  compensated at his or her regular rate of pay for those regular work
  hours during which the public officer or employee is  absent  from  work
  while   participating   in   authorized   specialized   disaster  relief
  operations. Such leave shall be  provided  without  loss  of  seniority,
  compensation,  sick leave, vacation leave or other overtime compensation
  to which the volunteer is otherwise entitled and shall not exceed twenty
  days in any calendar year.