§5F-2-7. Interdepartmental transfer of permanent state employees.

(a) A department secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with another department secretary to transfer a permanent state employee from a position that is to be consolidated or eliminated, to a funded vacant position in another Department, in accordance with the provisions of this section and the law. To support the transfer of the employee, a department secretary may also transfer furniture and equipment, except motor vehicles and any assets purchased by designated funds for specific uses and purposes, the removal of which is prohibited by law or would jeopardize federal funds, grants or other funding sources.

(b) The transferred employee shall receive the same level of benefits and rate of compensation or higher, and shall retain the same level of seniority.

(c) An employee shall be given notice of the proposed transfer at least fifteen days prior to the transfer. During the notice period, an affected employee may agree to be voluntarily transferred.

(d) If an employee does not volunteer to be transferred, then an involuntary transfer may be ordered. An involuntary transfer shall begin with the least senior permanent employee who qualifies for the position.

(e) A classified employee who is transferred shall retain his or her classified status: Provided, That any transfer shall be made in accordance with the law.

(f) An involuntary transfer may be rejected by an employee if the involuntary transfer would require the employee to travel thirty miles or more, one way, than the distance the employee currently travels from his or her current job site.

(g) An employee who qualifies for and chooses to reject a transfer shall be laid off in accordance with the law.

(h) Nothing in this section shall abridge any other rights provided by law.

(i) Prior to December 31, 2005, the Division of Personnel shall promulgate an emergency rule in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, to effectuate the provisions of this section.

(j) The Division of Personnel is authorized to promulgate legislative rules in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, to effectuate the provisions of this section.

(k) Annually, on or before January 1, the Division of Personnel shall report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, on all interdepartmental employee transfers, including but not limited to, voluntary and involuntary transfers, furniture and equipment transfers, and the Departments involved in the transfers.