Scope of ss. 125.9501-125.9506; status of volunteers.

(1) Each unit of county government and each constitutional county officer may recruit and accept, without regard to requirements of any civil service system, the services of volunteers, including regular-service volunteers, occasional-service volunteers, or material donors, to assist in programs administered by that unit of county government or constitutional county officer.

(2) Volunteers who are recruited, trained, or accepted by a unit of county government or constitutional county officer are not subject to any provisions of state law relating to public employment, to any collective bargaining agreement between the unit of county government or constitutional county officer and an employees’ association or union or to any laws relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave time, or employee benefits, except as provided under s. 125.9504. However, all volunteers must comply with applicable rules of the unit of county government or county constitutional officer.

(3) Each unit of county government or county constitutional officer who uses the services of volunteers may provide such incidental reimbursement generally consistent with the provisions of s. 125.9504, including, but not limited to, transportation costs, lodging, and subsistence, as the unit of county government or constitutional county officer deems necessary to assist volunteers in performing their functions.

(4) Persons working with a unit of county government or a constitutional county officer pursuant to ss. 125.9501-125.9506 are considered unpaid independent volunteers and are not entitled to reemployment assistance.