(a) As used in this Code section, the term "wearing apparel" includes eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothing, and similar items worn on the person of the employee.

(b) When action by a patient in one of the institutions operated by the department results in damage to an item of wearing apparel of an employee of the institution, the department shall compensate the employee for the loss in the amount of either the repair cost or the replacement value or the cost of the item of wearing apparel, whichever is less. Such losses shall be compensated only in accordance with procedures to be established by the department, and no compensation shall be made by the department in excess of $500.00 per claim.