IN HB1161

Appointed members of various local boards and commissions now serve "at the pleasure" of their appointing authority while that authority remains in office, but can only be removed for cause once the appointing official or body changes.

County executives must adopt and maintain written personnel policies and employee handbooks establishing minimum standards for county employee conduct, with all employees required to sign acknowledgment of receipt.

Nine-member local boards of health will have all terms of members appointed before January 1, 2027 terminated on December 31, 2026, with new staggered terms beginning after that date.

Public defenders (full-time county employees, those with full-time equivalent caseloads, state public defenders, deputies, and chief public defenders) are added to the list of "covered persons" eligible for address confidentiality protections.

Park and recreation boards must obtain approval from the unit executive before exercising eminent domain or approving contracts, property acquisitions, or capital improvements exceeding $500,000 or 10% of the department's annual budget (effective July 1, 2026).