(a) The Wing Commander of the North Carolina Wing-Civil Air Patrol shall certify to the Secretary or his designee those members who are in good standing as members eligible for benefits. The Wing Commander shall provide the Secretary with two copies of the certification. The Secretary shall acknowledge receipt of, sign, and date both copies and return one to the Wing Commander. The Wing Commander shall, in the form and manner provided above, notify the Secretary of any changes in personnel within 30 days thereof. Upon the Secretary’s signature, those members listed on the certification shall be eligible for the benefits listed below.

(b) Those members of the North Carolina Wing-Civil Air Patrol certified under subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed and considered employees of the Department of Public Safety for workers’ compensation purposes, and for no other purposes, while performing duties incident to a State approved mission. Such period of employment shall not extend to said members while performing duties incident to a United States Air Force authorized mission or any other Wing activities. (1979, c. 516, s. 1; c. 714, s. 2; 1993, c. 389, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 19.1(g), (w).)