(1) A person employed as a classified employee of the department of state who is assaulted while performing employment duties, rendering direct services to the public, shall receive full wages from the department of state until worker's compensation benefits begin. After the benefits begin, the person shall receive, in addition to the worker's compensation benefits, a supplement from the department which together with the worker's compensation benefits shall equal but not exceed the normal weekly wages of the employee at the time of the injury, up to 40 hours per week. This supplement shall only apply while the person is on the department's payroll and is receiving worker's compensation benefits qualifying for supplemental duty disability pay under the rules and procedures of the civil service commission.

    (2) An employee who is receiving worker's compensation due to an injury covered by this section on the effective date of this act shall be entitled to benefits from that date forward. Fringe benefits normally received by an employee shall remain in effect during the time the employee receives the supplement provided by this section.

     For the purposes of this act, an employee rendering direct services to the public shall be defined as a classified employee who is servicing the public in a branch office or driver improvement center, an employee who is conducting road tests associated with a branch office or driver improvement center, or an employee who is classified as an investigator or who is in training to become an investigator.