SB 1309 Summary

• Creates the Department of Human Resources with powers necessary to operate the state civil service system in accordance with the California Constitution, statutory law, the merit principle, and State Personnel Board rules.

• Transfers administrative and ministerial functions from the State Personnel Board to the Department of Human Resources, while the Board retains rule-making authority and oversight responsibilities including audits of appointing authorities.

• Establishes new discrimination protections prohibiting discrimination based on medical condition, mental disability, or physical disability in state employment, with the Board authorized to order cease-and-desist actions and remedies including hiring, reinstatement, backpay, and compensatory damages.

• Authorizes the State Personnel Board to conduct audits of any appointing authority's personnel practices to ensure compliance with civil service laws and regulations, with authority to impose corrective actions including examination nullification and position redirects.

• Makes clarifying amendments throughout the Government Code to reflect the Department of Human Resources' expanded role in civil service administration, including bilingual services, interpreter certification, employment forms, and equal employment opportunity programs.