UMCP workers demonstrate their civic duty by volunteering. Certified American Red Cross Disaster Service Volunteers are eligible for paid leave during Level II and above disasters. Be sure to notify your supervisor and University Human Relations of your Red Cross certification.

Here is the Maryland law on Disaster Service Leave from the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Title 9 (Leave time and holidays), Subtitle 11 (Other leave):

SPP § 9-1102 - DISASTER SERVICE LEAVE

(a)       Applicability of section.- This section applies to all employees, including temporary employees, of all units in the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of State government, including any unit with an independent personnel system.

(b)       Requirements for leave with pay.- On request, an employee subject to this section may be entitled to disaster service leave with pay if:

(1)        the employee is certified by the American Red Cross as a disaster service volunteer; and

(2)        the American Red Cross requests the services of the employee during a disaster that is designated at Level II or above in the regulations and procedures of the National Office of the American Red Cross.

(c)       Amount allowed.- An employee may use up to 15 days of disaster service leave in any 12-month period only after obtaining approval from the employee's appointing authority.

(d)      Employment status for purposes of certain claims.- For purposes of workers' compensation and the Maryland Tort Claims Act, while an employee is using disaster service leave, the employee is deemed not to be a State employee.

[1994, ch. 471, § 3; 1996, ch. 347, § 1; 1998, ch. 491; 2004, ch. 25, § 6.]
 

VII-7.26 - USM POLICY ON LEAVE FOR DISASTER SERVICE
From the USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents,
approved by the Board of Regents on October 11, 2002

 I. PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY

 This policy establishes the amount and use of paid leave for disaster service, and applies to all Regular and Contingent Category II Status Exempt and Nonexempt Staff employees of the University System of Maryland (USM).     This policy is based on 1998 law, the Annotated Code of the Sate of MD, State Personnel and Pensions, Section 9-1102. As an Independent Personnel System, the USM is required by law to provide this leave.

 II GENERAL

 A. Requirements for Leave with Pay - On request, an employee may be entitled to disaster service leave with pay if:

1. the employee is certified by the American Red Cross as a disaster service volunteer; and

2. the American Red Cross requests the services of the employee during a disaster that is designated at Level II or above in the regulations and procedures of the National Office of the American Red Cross.

B. Amount of Leave Allowed - An employee may use up to 15 paid days of disaster service leave in any 12-month period only after obtaining approval from the employee's appointing authority. The employer may deny the leave if the denial is based on the anticipated impact on the operational needs of the institution. Employees who are appointed to work less than 100% but at least 50% time may use disaster service leave on a pro rata basis.

C. Employment Status for Purposes of Certain Claims - For purposes of Worker's Compensation and the Maryland Tort Claims Act, while an employee is using disaster service leave, the employee is deemed not to be a State employee.

IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

Each Chief Executive Officer shall identify his/her designee(s) as appropriate for this policy; shall develop procedures as necessary to implement this policy; shall communicate this policy and applicable procedures to his/her institutional community; shall forward a copy of such designations and procedures to the Chancellor.