The state director of the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management shall determine if, in response to an emergency or disaster, activation of a specialized emergency response team for deployment to any political subdivision is in the public interest. If so, the state director may activate a team. When activated by the state director, team members not employed by any political subdivision struck by the emergency or disaster are deemed employees of the state for purposes of workers' compensation and tort claim defense and indemnification. The provisions of chapter 176 and other applicable statutes must be followed for purposes of calculating workers' compensation benefits.
History:2009 c 59 art 5 s 2