OK SB853

Amends 56 O.S. 2011, Section 26.17 to clarify that the Director of Human Services, subject to Commission approval, has power to employ personnel and fix their qualifications, duties, and compensation as provided by law.

Designates the Department of Human Services as a Merit System agency and supersedes any Executive Orders placing it under different personnel administration provisions.

Increases the maximum percentage of full-time-equivalent positions that may be in unclassified service from 5% to 10% of authorized positions, selected at the Director's discretion; affected classified employees may elect to retain classified status.

Specifies that campus police, legal division, Construction Unit, and Architectural and Engineering Unit positions remain in the unclassified service; all other departmental positions remain classified and subject to the Oklahoma Personnel Act.

Takes effect July 1, 2015, with an emergency declaration for immediate implementation.