This bill proposes to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 5F-2-9, which will exempt new hires and promoted employees within the Bureau of Senior Services, Department of Administration, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Revenue, and Department of Veterans Affairs from the classified civil service system and the state grievance procedures, effective July 1, 2025. The bill aims to provide these departments with greater flexibility in managing their workforce, including aspects such as promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, discipline, and compensation.

Under the new provisions, current employees who are members of the classified civil service system will retain their status as long as they remain in their positions, and those with access to state grievance procedures will continue to have that access. However, any employee who leaves their position and is subsequently re-hired within these departments will be transferred to the classified exempt service system and will no longer have access to the grievance procedures. Additionally, the secretaries of these departments will have the authority to designate certain employees' status under the classified civil service system and grievance procedures as necessary to comply with federal laws or funding requirements. The bill also clarifies that it does not exempt these departments from existing laws against nepotism, favoritism, discrimination, or unethical practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5F-2-9