(a) The state shall save harmless and indemnify all members, officers and employees of the General Assembly, either house thereof or committees of the General Assembly or either house thereof from financial loss arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or other act by such member, officer or employee, provided such member, officer or employee, at the time damages were sustained, was performing duties relating to the maintenance of order in connection with the operation of the General Assembly, either house thereof or any committee of the General Assembly or either house thereof, or involving the security, health or safety of any member, officer or employee of the General Assembly, either house thereof, or committee, or the general public, and provided such damage did not result from the wilful and wrongful act or gross negligence of such member, officer or employee and provided such member, officer or employee shall, within five days of the time he is served with any summons, complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading, deliver the original or a copy thereof to the Attorney General.
(b) Upon such delivery the Attorney General may assume control of the representation of such member, officer or employee. Such member, officer or employee shall cooperate fully with the Attorney General's defense.
(c) This section shall not in any way impair, limit or modify the rights or obligations of any insurer under any policy of insurance.
(d) The benefits of this section shall inure only to such members, officers and employees and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other party.
(e) The Joint Committee on Legislative Management may insure against the liability of the state imposed by subsection (a) of this section utilizing funds in the General Assembly budget therefor.
(P.A. 73-516, S. 4.)