(1) Volunteers accepted into the Washington serves program and placed in an approved agency, program, or activity, shall be provided a monthly subsistence allowance in an amount determined by the commissioner taking into consideration the allowance given to VISTA, Washington service corps, and other similar service programs. For those persons who qualify and are granted a deferment of federal student loan payments while serving in the program, the rate of compensation shall be equal to but not greater than the monthly subsistence allowance granted Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) serving in this state, as determined by the national ACTION agency or its successor, in accordance with section 105(b)(2) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, P.L. 93-113, as amended.
(2) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall, within available funds, ensure that each volunteer has available support to enable the volunteer to perform the work to which the volunteer is assigned. Such support may include, but is not limited to, reimbursement for travel expenses, payment for education and training expenses, including preservice and on-the-job training necessary for the performance of duties, technical assistance, and other support deemed necessary and appropriate.
(3) At the end of each volunteer's period of service of not less than one year, each volunteer may receive a postservice stipend for each month of completed service in an amount determined by the commissioner. The postservice stipend for those persons who qualify and are granted a deferment of federal student loan payments while serving in this program shall be an amount equal to but not greater than the amount or rate determined by the national ACTION agency or its successor, in accordance with section 105(b)(2) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, P.L. 93-113 as amended, for Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA), who are providing services in this state. Volunteers under the Washington serves program may accrue the stipend for each month of their service period of not less than one year, including any month during which they were in training. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee may, on an individual basis, make an exception to provide a stipend to a volunteer who has served less than one year.
(4) Stipends shall be payable to the volunteer only upon completion of the period of service. Under circumstances determined by the commissioner, the stipend may be paid on behalf of the volunteer to members of the volunteer's family or others designated by the volunteer.
[ 1993 sp.s. c 7 § 6.]