SB 850 Summary

• State Department of Health placed under the Merit System, requiring all offices, positions, and personnel to be classified and subject to Merit System rules effective July 1, 2015.

• State Department of Health may place employees initially hired on or after July 1, 2015 in unclassified service for 21 specific positions including State Commissioner of Health, Assistant Commissioners, Service Directors, and Paralegals.

• Amended Section 840-5.5 to add 18 specific unclassified positions in the State Department of Health (surveillance supervisors, project monitors, bilingual interviewers, senior interviewers, and interviewers) to existing unclassified employee categories.

• Bill declared emergency effective upon passage and approval to take effect immediately, with main provisions effective July 1, 2015.