HB650 Summary

• Creates a five-member Personnel Board of the Office of the Sheriff of Etowah County, with one member appointed by the sheriff and one member each appointed by the four members of the legislative delegation representing the county.

• Establishes a classified service system covering APOST-certified, custodial, administrative, and clerical employees, while exempting six command staff positions (chief deputy, chief of detention, chief of administration, chief of investigation, director of communications, and food service manager) who serve at the sheriff's pleasure.

• Grants the board authority to promulgate rules governing employee appointment, qualifications, tenure, salaries, promotions, dismissals, and to conduct disciplinary hearings with subpoena power; all board meetings are open to the public.

• Provides employees and the sheriff with rights to disciplinary hearings, rehearing requests within 5 days of adverse decisions, and appeal to circuit court within 30 days on a de novo basis.

• Requires county commission to finance board operations and affirms the sheriff's exclusive authority over discretionary funds; the act becomes effective upon governor approval and ratification of a constitutional amendment.