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First Substitute S.B. 126

Senator Daniel R. Liljenquist proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
STATE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT ACT

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2009 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Daniel R. Liljenquist

             6     
House Sponsor: Brad L. Dee

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill eliminates the reappointment register from which certain career service
             11      employees must be rehired.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    eliminates the reappointment register for:
             15              .    a career service employee appointed to an exempt position who is not retained
             16      by the appointing authority; and
             17              .    a career service employee separated in a reduction in force;
             18          .    allows for preferential consideration for a career service employee separated in a
             19      reduction in force who applies for another career service position;
             20          .    removes from the remedies available to the Career Service Review Board the ability
             21      to place an employee on the reappointment register; and
             22          .    makes technical changes.
             23      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:


             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             28      AMENDS:
             29          67-19-18, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 139
             30          67-19a-408, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 14
             31      REPEALS:
             32          67-19-17, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 139
             33     
             34      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             35          Section 1. Section 67-19-18 is amended to read:
             36           67-19-18. Dismissals and demotions -- Grounds -- Disciplinary action --
             37      Procedure -- Reductions in force.
             38          (1) [Career] A career service [employees] employee may be dismissed or demoted:
             39          (a) to advance the good of the public service; or
             40          (b) for just causes [such as], including inefficiency, incompetency, failure to maintain
             41      skills or adequate performance levels, insubordination, disloyalty to the orders of a superior,
             42      misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office.
             43          (2) [Employees] An employee may not be dismissed because of race, sex, age,
             44      disability, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or other nonmerit factor including the
             45      exercise of rights under this chapter.
             46          (3) [The] In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking
             47      Act, the executive director shall establish rules governing the procedural and documentary
             48      requirements of disciplinary dismissals and demotions.
             49          (4) If an agency head finds that a career service employee is charged with aggravated
             50      misconduct or that retention of a career service employee would endanger the peace and safety
             51      of others or pose a grave threat to the public interest, the employee may be suspended pending
             52      the administrative appeal to the department head as provided in Subsection (5).
             53          (5) (a) A career service employee may not be demoted or dismissed unless the
             54      department head or designated representative has complied with this subsection.
             55          (b) The department head or designated representative notifies the employee in writing
             56      of the reasons for the dismissal or demotion.


             57          (c) The employee has no less than five working days to reply and have the reply
             58      considered by the department head.
             59          (d) The employee has an opportunity to be heard by the department head or designated
             60      representative.
             61          (e) Following the hearing, the employee may be dismissed or demoted if the
             62      department head finds adequate cause or reason.
             63          (6) (a) Reductions in force required by inadequate funds, change of workload, or lack
             64      of work are governed by retention [rosters] points established by the executive director.
             65          (b) Under those circumstances:
             66          (i) The agency head shall designate the category of work to be eliminated, subject to
             67      review by the executive director.
             68          (ii) Temporary and probationary employees shall be separated before any career service
             69      employee.
             70          (iii) (A) Career service employees shall be separated in the order of their retention
             71      points, the employee with the lowest points to be discharged first.
             72          (B) Retention points for each career service employee shall be computed according to
             73      rules established by the executive director, allowing appropriate consideration for proficiency
             74      and [for] seniority in state government, including any active duty military service fulfilled
             75      subsequent to original state appointment.
             76          [(iv) A career service employee who is separated in a reduction in force shall be:]
             77          [(A) placed on the reappointment roster provided for in Subsection 67-19-17 (2); and]
             78          [(B) reappointed without examination to any vacancy for which the employee is
             79      qualified which occurs within one year of the date of the separation.]
             80          (c) (i) A career service employee who is separated in a reduction in force under this
             81      section shall be given preferential consideration when applying for a career service position.
             82          (ii) Preferential consideration under Subsection (6)(c)(i) applies only until the former
             83      career service employee accepts a career service position.
             84          (iii) The executive director shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             85      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, concerning the manner of granting preferential
             86      consideration under Subsection (6)(c)(i).
             87          [(c)] (d) (i) An employee separated due to a reduction in force may appeal to the


             88      department head for an administrative review.
             89          (ii) The notice of appeal must be submitted within 20 working days after the
             90      employee's receipt of written notification of separation.
             91          (iii) The employee may appeal the decision of the department head according to the
             92      grievance and appeals procedure of this act.
             93          Section 2. Section 67-19a-408 is amended to read:
             94           67-19a-408. Career Service Review Board hearing -- Evidentiary and procedural
             95      rules.
             96          (1) The board shall:
             97          (a) hold a hearing to review the hearing officer's decision not later than 30 days after it
             98      receives the official transcript and the briefs;
             99          (b) review the decision of the hearing officer by considering the official record of that
             100      hearing and the briefs of the parties; and
             101          (c) issue its written decision addressing the hearing officer's decision within 40
             102      working days after the record for its proceeding is closed.
             103          [(2) In addition to whatever other remedy the board grants, it may order that the
             104      employee be placed on the reappointment roster provided for by Section 67-19-17 for
             105      assignment to another agency.]
             106          [(3)] (2) If the board does not issue its written decision within 40 working days after
             107      closing the record, the agency that is a party to the grievance is not liable for any claimed back
             108      wages or benefits after the date the decision is due.
             109          [(4)] (3) The board may not award attorneys' fees or costs to either party.
             110          [(5)] (4) The board may close a hearing by complying with the procedures and
             111      requirements of Title 52, Chapter 4, Open and Public Meetings Act.
             112          [(6)] (5) The board may seal the file and the evidence produced at the hearing if the
             113      evidence raises questions about an employee's character, professional competence, or physical
             114      or mental health.
             115          Section 3. Repealer.
             116          This bill repeals:
             117          Section 67-19-17, Reappointment of employees not retained in exempt position.


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