§ 802. Contents of county personnel law.

The county personnel law shall provide for the following:

(a)

The administration of the affairs of the office established by this Charter and known as "The Office of Human Resources" by a director of human resources who shall be qualified by special training and at least five years' experience in personnel administration in public service or private industry, or both, and who shall be appointed in the same manner as the heads of other offices and departments in the administrative services. ( Bill No. 13-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(b)

A personnel and salary advisory board composed of registered voters of the county who favor the application of merit principles to public employment, and who shall receive no compensation for their services except reasonable and necessary expenses. The number and term of office of the members of the personnel and salary advisory board shall be as provided in the county personnel law. Said law may provide for the election of not more than one member of the board by the employees in the classified service and may also provide that the director of human resources shall serve ex officio as a member thereof, but no other members of the board shall hold any other public office.( Bill No. 13-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(c)

Authority in the director of human resources to approve and certify all payrolls of employees in the classified service. ( Bill No. 13-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(d)

Authority in the personnel and salary advisory board to set up and revise a job classification plan, a compensation plan, and to establish rules and regulations for examinations, certifications and other necessary details of personnel administration.

(e)

A provision that, upon the adoption of such plans, rules and regulations, the director of human resources shall transmit them to the county executive for submission to the county council for legislative action thereon. No such plan, rules or regulations shall have the force and effect of law unless and until the same be included in a public local law to be adopted by this county council in the manner provided in Article III of this Charter. ( Bill No. 13-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(f)

The disciplining of employees, including dismissal for cause by appointing officers.

(g)

Appeals to the personnel and salary advisory board in case of disciplinary actions by appointing authorities and from decisions of the director of human resources in cases involving examinations and examination ratings; provided, however, that if the director of human resources shall be a member ex officio of the personnel and salary advisory board, the director shall be disqualified from participating in any appeals from the director's own decisions. ( Bill No. 13-18 , § 1; approved by the voters Nov. 6, 2018; effective Dec. 6, 2018)

(h)

Prohibition against any kind of assessment for political purposes upon employees in the classified service, and against their participation in any political activities or electioneering on county property during business hours.

(i)

Prohibition against any kind of discrimination in the employment, suspension or dismissal of employees in the classified services on account of race, color, creed, sex, or political affiliation. (Bill No. 164, 1980, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 4, 1980; effective Dec. 5, 1980)

(j)

Penalties for the violation of this article and the laws, plans, rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(k)

Special rules and regulations relating to the employment, promotion, suspension and dismissal of employees of the fire and the police departments.

(l)

Such other matters as may be necessary to fulfill the purpose of the merit system as hereby established, including adequate staffing and financial support for the needs of the office of personnel.

(Bill No. 130, 1990, § 1) (Approved by voters Nov. 6, 1990; effective Dec. 7, 1990)

  Annotation— County charter did not prohibit adoption of section of county code making no provision for special holiday pay for firemen working on holidays. Cited in Director v. Meyers, 232 Md. 213, 192 A.2d 278 (1963).

Editor's note

The publisher deleted a former reference to "rating" in subsection (g) and substituted "ratings". The word "ratings" was used in the original Charter and in the 1958 and 1968 versions of the Code. The publisher inadvertently changed it to "rating" in the 1978 Code and has persisted ever since.