The bill introduces a new section, Section 11-43-5.3, to the Code of Alabama 1975, allowing certain Class 8 municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more, and located in two counties, to opt out of the jurisdiction of a county personnel board. This opt-out option requires the municipality to create its own civil service system that protects the vested rights of employees previously under the county personnel board. The governing body of the municipality can enact this decision through an ordinance, which will take effect six months after its passage. Additionally, municipalities that have opted out can choose to rejoin the county personnel board after a minimum of ten years.

The bill also repeals Section 11-43-5.2, which previously allowed certain Class 8 municipalities to opt out of the county personnel board, and confirms that the act is retroactive and curative, validating actions taken by municipalities that have already opted out and established their own civil service systems. Furthermore, the bill mandates that municipalities opting out must adhere to non-discrimination policies in their employment practices, ensuring that no employee is favored or discriminated against based on political or religious affiliations, race, gender, or other prohibited reasons. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-43-5
Enrolled: 11-43-5