A state employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross may be granted leave from work with pay for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) work days in each year to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross. The employee shall be released from work for this function upon request of the American Red Cross for the services of that employee, and upon the approval of that employee's appointing authority. The appointing authority shall compensate an employee granted extra leave under this section at the employee's regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from the employee's work. This leave shall not affect the employee's regular leave status.