The bill amends Section 36-4-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 36-4, titled "Merit System," to allow the personnel administrator to waive competitive testing for temporary and emergency positions. It introduces new provisions that require the availability of exam study and preparation materials for all test takers and mandates that competitive tests be offered in Spanish and Portuguese. Additionally, it establishes a process for individuals to appeal denials of admission to examinations based on insufficient qualifications, ensuring transparency and fairness in the testing process.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new section, 36-4-18.1, which mandates the personnel administrator to streamline the processing of personnel action requests (PAR) to reduce the time taken to address them. This act aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the merit system while ensuring that all candidates have the necessary resources to prepare for examinations. The provisions of this act will take effect upon passage.