as introduced - 81st Legislature (1999 - 2000) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 02/03/2000 |
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to Hennepin county; making changes to 1.3 provisions on its human resources board and 1.4 department; amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 1.5 383B.26; 383B.27; 383B.28, subdivisions 1, 3, and 4; 1.6 383B.29; 383B.30; 383B.31; 383B.32, subdivisions 2 and 1.7 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.35. 1.8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.9 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.26, is 1.10 amended to read: 1.11 383B.26 [HUMAN RESOURCES SYSTEM; PURPOSE.] 1.12 The purpose of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42 is to establish 1.13 a human resources board and a human resourcesand employee1.14relationsdepartment in the county of Hennepin to promote and 1.15 improve the economy and effectiveness of the governmental 1.16 departments under its jurisdiction by the improvement of methods 1.17 of human resources administration, which shall include a uniform1.18system of job classifications, procedures and standards for1.19hiring, promotion and compensation administration. 1.20 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.27, is 1.21 amended to read: 1.22 383B.27 [DEFINITION OF TERMS.] 1.23 Subdivision 1. For the purposes of sections 383B.26 to 1.24 383B.42 and rules promulgated under them, unless the context 1.25 clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the 1.26 terms defined in this section have the meanings given them. 2.1 Subd. 2. "Board" means the county human resources board. 2.2Subd. 3. "Member" means a member of the county human2.3resources board.2.4Subd. 4. "Director" means the director of the department2.5of human resources and employee relations.2.6Subd. 5. "Human resources department" means the human2.7resources director and the director's employees engaged in the2.8administration of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42.2.9Subd. 6. "County board" means the board of Hennepin county2.10commissioners.2.11 Subd. 7. "Appointing authority" means an elected official, 2.12 county administrator, or theheaddirector and management staff 2.13 of a department, division, board, commission, person or group of2.14personswho have the power by law, by resolution of the county 2.15 board or by lawfully delegated authority to make appointments to 2.16 positions in the county service within the scope of sections 2.17 383B.26 to 383B.42. 2.18 Subd. 8. "Classified service" means the service which 2.19 includes all positions except those in the unclassified service 2.20 under sections 383B.26 to 383B.42. 2.21 Subd. 9. "Position" means a group of current duties and 2.22 responsibilities assigned or delegated by an appointing 2.23 authority. 2.24 Subd. 10. "Class" means one or more positionssufficiently2.25 similar with respect to duties and responsibilitiesthatfor 2.26 which the same descriptive title can be used with clarity to 2.27 designate each position; that similar general qualifications are 2.28 needed for the performance of the duties;that comparable2.29selection procedures may be used to recruit employees;and that 2.30 the same schedule of compensation shall be applied to all 2.31 positions. 2.32Subd. 11. "Allocation" means the assignment of an2.33individual position to a class on the basis of the kind,2.34difficulty and responsibility of the work performed in the2.35position.2.36Subd. 12. "Reallocation" means a change in allocation of3.1an individual position by raising it to a higher class, reducing3.2it to a lower class, or moving it to another class at the same3.3level, on the basis of significant changes in the kind,3.4difficulty or responsibility of the work performed in such3.5position.3.6Subd. 13. "Classification" means the grouping of positions3.7into classes with regard to duties and responsibilities.3.8Subd. 14. "Eligible" means the status of any person whose3.9name is on the layoff, reinstatement, promotional,3.10intern/trainee or open competitive list for a given class.3.11 Subd. 15. "Permanent employee" means an employee in the 3.12 classified service who has satisfactorily completed a 3.13 probationary period. 3.14 Subd. 16. "Probationary period" means that part of the 3.15examininghiring process following certification and appointment 3.16 from a list of certified candidates, to enable the appointing 3.17 authority to determine whether employees are fit and suitable 3.18 for the position to which they have been appointed, transferred, 3.19 or promoted. The appointing authority may discharge a newly 3.20 appointed employee during the probationary period without 3.21 specifying cause or granting a hearing, except as provided by 3.22 section 197.46. The appointing authority may, during the 3.23 probationary period, demote an employee appointed to a position 3.24 as a result of a promotion without specifying cause or granting 3.25 a hearing, except as provided by section 197.46. The employee 3.26 so demoted shall be returned to a position in the class 3.27 previously held by the affected employee. The appointing 3.28 authority may, during the probationary period, return a 3.29 transferred employee back to a position in the classification 3.30 and organizational unit the employee previously held without 3.31 specifying cause or granting a hearing, except as provided by 3.32 section 197.46. When an employee has been transferred from one 3.33 department to another and upon the request of the new appointing 3.34 authority the employee may be required to serve a probationary 3.35 period. 3.36 Subd. 17. "Classification plan" means a list of the 4.1 classes of positions in theclassifiedcounty service by their 4.2 official title. 4.3 Subd. 18. "Unclassified service" means those positions 4.4 which are exempted from the jurisdiction of the human resources 4.5 board unless otherwise provided by sections 383B.26 to 383B.42. 4.6 Subd. 19. "Transfer" means a change by an employee from a 4.7 position in the same class to a different department or 4.8 organizational unit; or a change from a position in one class to 4.9 a position in another class of comparable levelin another4.10department orin the same department or organizational unit or 4.11 another department or organizational unit. 4.12 Subd. 20. "Reassignment" means a change by an employee from 4.13 one position to another position in the same class in the same 4.14 organizational unit. 4.15 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.28, 4.16 subdivision 1, is amended to read: 4.17 Subdivision 1. [ESTABLISHMENT.] The Hennepin county human 4.18 resources board and human resourcesand employee relations4.19 department are created. 4.20 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.28, 4.21 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 4.22 Subd. 3. [COMPENSATION.] Compensation for members of the 4.23 human resources board shall be set by the county board. Members 4.24 of the board shall be compensated at the rate not to exceed $50 4.25 per day spent on board meetings andpersonnelhuman resources 4.26 activities when authorized by the board to represent the board. 4.27 Expenses shall be allowed in the same manner and amount as 4.28 received by county employees. 4.29 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.28, 4.30 subdivision 4, is amended to read: 4.31 Subd. 4. [ORGANIZATION.] The board shall organize by 4.32 electing one of its members as chair and one as vice-chair. The 4.33 human resources director shall serve as secretary. 4.34 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.29, is 4.35 amended to read: 4.36 383B.29 [DUTIES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES BOARD.] 5.1 Subdivision 1. [BOARD PROCEEDINGS.] When any member of the 5.2 board is not present at the time a matter is submitted to the 5.3 board such matter shall be deemed submitted to each member of 5.4 the board with like effect as though each member of the board 5.5 had been present at the time of submission of such matter. 5.6 Whenever during the consideration of a matter which is before 5.7 the board, there is a change in the personnel of the board, the 5.8 matter shall be deemed submitted to the new member, or members, 5.9 as though said new member, or members, had been a member of the 5.10 board at the time of the submission of the matter. 5.11 No meetings of the board shall be held unless at least four 5.12 members are present. A majority vote of all members present 5.13 shall constitute the decision of the board. The board shall 5.14 keep records and minutes of its business and official actions 5.15 which shall be open to public inspection subject to such 5.16 reasonable rules as to time and place of inspection as the board 5.17 may establish. 5.18 Subd. 2. [DUTIES.] (a) The board shall: (a)establish 5.19 rules for the classified service with the assistance of 5.20 the human resources director. All rules and amendments proposed 5.21 by the board shall be subject to public hearing upon prior 5.22 notice to department heads, employees, affected labor 5.23 organizations, and the public, as the board may, by rule 5.24 prescribe. The rules as approved by the majority vote of the 5.25 board shall be submitted to the county board for approval or 5.26 rejection. When approved, by majority vote and in the form of a 5.27 written resolution, the rules shall have the force and effect of 5.28 law. The rules may be amended and repealed with the consent of 5.29 the county board in the same manner as provided for original 5.30 adoption. 5.31 (b) The rules shall provide for: 5.32 (1)the rejection of otherwise eligible5.33applicants/candidates who fail to comply with the reasonable5.34requirements of the directorselection methods and the 5.35 establishment of lists to fill positions in the county service 5.36 including promotion; 6.1 (2)examinations which shall be competitive and6.2standardized and which may consist of any one or a combination6.3of the following: written or oral tests of the subjective or6.4objective type, physical tests, practical or demonstration6.5tests, or evaluation of past training and experience. Oral6.6tests, either of the question and answer type or the interview6.7type may be used to test the candidatesthe appointment of 6.8 qualified candidates to vacant positions, if the vacancy is not 6.9 filled by recall from the layoff list, demotion, reinstatement, 6.10 reassignment, transfer from other employers or with county 6.11 service. Whenever practicable, vacancies must be filled by 6.12 promotion. The 20 persons having the highest qualifications 6.13 that meet the requirements of the position to be filled, when 6.14 available, must be referred to appointing authority when a 6.15 vacancy occurs; 6.16 (3)the creation of eligible lists upon which shall be6.17entered the names of successful candidatesa period of probation 6.18 during which period the probationer may be discharged or 6.19 demoted, without right of appeal. The period of probation must 6.20 not exceed six months unless changed by six-sevenths approval of 6.21 the board due to extreme or unique conditions; 6.22 (4)the appointment of eligible candidates who have6.23qualified through the examination process, or through a6.24qualifying selection process pursuant to section 383B.31, clause6.25(h), if the vacancy is not filled by recall from the layoff6.26list, demotion, transfer, or reinstatement. The 20 persons6.27receiving the highest examination scores when available shall be6.28referred to department heads when a vacancy occurs, with waiver6.29in extreme or unique conditions subject to six-sevenths approval6.30of the boardseasonal, provisional, temporary, and emergency 6.31 appointments. The appointments, except seasonal, must not 6.32 exceed six calendar months in any 12-month period. Seasonal 6.33 appointments must not exceed nine calendar months in any 6.34 12-month period; 6.35 (5)if more than one vacancy is to be filled, additional6.36names may be added to the certification list in accordance with7.1the rules adopted under this subdivisionvoluntary demotion; 7.2 reassignment; transfers from within county service or other 7.3 employers; and reinstatement of persons who without fault or 7.4 delinquency on their part are separated from the service or 7.5 demoted; 7.6 (6)a period of probation during which period the7.7probationer may be discharged or demoted, without right of7.8appeal. The period of probation shall not exceed six months7.9unless changed by six-sevenths approval of the board due to7.10extreme or unique conditionsa compensation plan for classes and 7.11 positions not represented by an exclusive bargaining 7.12 representative to be presented to the county board for approval; 7.13 (7)seasonal, provisional, temporary and emergency7.14appointments. The appointments, except seasonal appointments,7.15shall not exceed six calendar months in any 12-month period.7.16Seasonal appointments shall not exceed nine calendar months in7.17any 12-month perioda classification plan for positions in the 7.18 county service to be presented to the county board for approval; 7.19 (8)transfers from other public employers or within county7.20service; and reinstatement of persons who without fault or7.21delinquency on their part are separated from the service or7.22demotedleaves of absence with or without pay; layoffs; hours of 7.23 employment; vacations and sick leave; severance pay, and other 7.24 benefits and emoluments as may improve the public service; 7.25 (9)promotion based upon competitive examinations.7.26Whenever practicable vacancies shall be filled by7.27promotionsuspensions without pay for disciplinary purposes, 7.28 discharges, or demotion of a permanent employee only when the 7.29 person has been presented with written charges and has been 7.30 allowed a hearing; 7.31 (10)suspensions without pay for no longer than 20 working7.32days for disciplinary purposes; for leaves of absence with or7.33without pay; for layoffs; for hours of employment; for vacations7.34and sick leave; severance pay, and other benefits and emoluments7.35as may improve the public serviceestablishment of reasonable 7.36 fees, not to exceed the actual cost of service or material 8.1 provided; 8.2 (11)discharge or demotion of a permanent employee only8.3when the person has been presented with written charges and has8.4been allowed a hearing pursuant to section 383B.38establishment 8.5 of rules of conduct that are conditions of employment in the 8.6 county service; and 8.7 (12)the establishment of reasonable fees, not to exceed 508.8percent of the actual cost, to be charged for the furnishing of8.9a copy of the record, including a transcript of any testimony,8.10of any hearing held before the board under sections 383B.26 to8.11383B.42policies to deal with falsification of an application or 8.12 record to improve prospects for employment or with interference 8.13 with the selection process. 8.14(b) Provide a compensation plan for county employees not8.15represented by an exclusive bargaining representative to be8.16presented to the county board for approval.8.17(c) Make investigations of its own motion concerning the8.18enforcement and effect of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42, and the8.19rules thereunder.8.20(d)(c) Hear and decide appeals within the jurisdiction of 8.21 the board, if there has been a preliminary showing to the board 8.22 attorney that a rule violation has occurred. Any such board 8.23 attorney ruling may be appealed to the board. 8.24 Subd. 3. [HEARING OFFICERS.] The board, with the 8.25 assistance of the human resources director, shall utilize and 8.26 prescribe the duties of hearing officers, or contract with the 8.27 office of hearing examiners pursuant to section 14.55. When it 8.28 is determined that a disciplinary or veteran's hearing be held 8.29 which requires a hearing officer, the director will first 8.30 ascertain the availability and timeliness of scheduling the 8.31 hearing through the office of hearing examiners pursuant to 8.32 section 14.55. If it is determined that a prompt hearing is not 8.33 readily available through the office of hearing examiners, the 8.34 board, with the assistance of the human resources director, may 8.35 then utilize an impartial hearing officer. Decisions of the 8.36 hearing officers are final and binding on the parties and the 9.1 human resources board, except as provided in section 197.46. 9.2 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.30, is 9.3 amended to read: 9.4 383B.30 [DIRECTOR; SELECTIONAND TENURE.] 9.5 Theboardcounty administrator, with the approval of the 9.6 county board, shall appoint a human resources directoron the9.7basis of merit and fitness as a result of competitive9.8examinations. The director shall be in the classified service 9.9 and shall not be removed by the board except under written 9.10 charges in accordance with sections 383B.26 to 383B.42 and after 9.11 a public hearing by the board. 9.12 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.31, is 9.13 amended to read: 9.14 383B.31 [DUTIES OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR.] 9.15 (a) The director as administrator of the human resources 9.16and employee relationsdepartment shall cooperate with and 9.17 assist department heads and elected officials in providing an 9.18 effective human resources program. The director shall direct 9.19 and supervise all of the human resourcesand employee relations9.20 department's administrative and technical activities in addition 9.21 to the duties imposed on the director in sections 383B.26 to 9.22 383B.42. 9.23 (b) The director shall: 9.24(a)(1) attend the meetings of the board, act as its 9.25 secretary and maintain its official records.; 9.26(b)(2) appoint the employees of the human resourcesand9.27employee relationsdepartment in accordance with and subject to 9.28 the provisions of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42.; and 9.29(c)(3) recommend rules and amendments to rules for the 9.30 administration of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42. 9.31(d)(c) The director shall establish uniform procedures and 9.32 standards to: 9.33 (1) prepare, recommend and maintain a classification plan 9.34 which shall group all positions in theclassified servicecounty 9.35 into classes, based on their duties and responsibilities. The9.36classification plan shall identify for each class a title, a10.1statement of duties, authority and responsibilities and10.2qualifications necessary for the position. The classification10.3plan shall be effective upon approval by the board and the10.4county board. Periodic job audits shall be made of positions10.5for the purpose of keeping the classification plan current with10.6changes in work assignments.; 10.7(e)(2) prepare, recommend, and maintain a compensation 10.8 plan for theclassifiedcounty service.;Compensation plans10.9when approved by majority vote of the board shall be recommended10.10to the county board who may approve or reject such plans or10.11portions thereof.10.12(f) Establish programs for the training and education of10.13employees to improve the quality of services rendered.10.14(g)(3) except as provided in clauses(h) and (i)(4) and 10.15 (5), develop and hold competitive examinations to determine the 10.16 qualifications of persons seeking employment in any class and to 10.17 establish lists of those passing such examinations.; 10.18(h)(4) develop a procedure and define the criteria for the 10.19 selection and referral of qualified applicants to fill positions 10.20 in classifications involving unskilled tasks or in 10.21 classifications which require state licensure or certification 10.22 to engage in the activity.;The classifications shall be10.23authorized by the board and county board. Applicants to fill10.24vacancies in the classifications shall be exempt from ranking10.25and certification provided for in section 383B.29, subdivision10.262, clauses (a)(3), (4) and (5). The director shall refer all10.27qualified applicants to the appointing authority having10.28vacancies in the appropriate classifications.10.29(i)(5) establish alternative selection procedures to 10.30 measure the ability of persons whosehandicapsdisabilities are 10.31 so severe that the usual selection process cannot adequately 10.32 predict job performance. Alternative selection procedures may10.33include an on-the-job trial period not to exceed 640 hours to be10.34paid or not by mutual agreement between the person applying for10.35the position and the director.; 10.36(j)(6) when a vacancy is to be filled, to certify to the 11.1 appointing authority upon requisition, the names of the persons 11.2 highest on the appropriate layoff list, or if there is no such 11.3 list, the appropriate eligible list for the class. If there is11.4no layoff list, the director shall certify those on the11.5appropriate eligible list for the class. If there is no11.6eligible list, the director may authorize temporary appointment11.7pending establishment of an eligible list for the class.; 11.8(k)(7) maintain records necessary for the proper 11.9 administration of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42.; 11.10(l)(8) provide a system for checking payrolls and accounts 11.11 for the payment of compensation to employees in the classified 11.12 and unclassified service so as to enable the director, upon 11.13 evidence thereof, to certify or cause to be certified the 11.14 persons whose names appear thereon have been employed or on 11.15 authorized leave before payment may be lawfully made to such 11.16 employees.; 11.17(m)(9) make investigations concerning the administration 11.18 of sections 383B.26 to 383B.42 and rules made thereunder., and 11.19 take corrective actions as deemed reasonable and appropriate to 11.20 the situation; 11.21(n)(10) make investigations and reports required bythe11.22board orthe county board and report thereon.; and 11.23(o)(11) make an annual report to the county board and the 11.24 human resources board on the activities of the human resources 11.25 department. 11.26 (d) The classification plan authorized in paragraph (c), 11.27 clause (1), is effective on approval by the county board. 11.28 (e) The compensation plan authorized in paragraph (c), 11.29 clause (2), may include benefits and other emoluments to improve 11.30 the public service as determined by the human resources 11.31 director. A plan that is approved by a majority vote of the 11.32 human resources board is a recommendation to the county board 11.33 which may approve or reject all or part of it. 11.34 (f) The examination process described in paragraph (c), 11.35 clause (3), must provide for: (1) the rejection of otherwise 11.36 eligible applicants or candidates who fail to comply with the 12.1 reasonable requirements of the human resources director; and (2) 12.2 examinations that may consist of any one or a combination of the 12.3 following: written or oral tests of the subjective or objective 12.4 type, physical tests, practical or demonstration tests, or 12.5 evaluation of past training and experience. Oral tests, either 12.6 of the question and answer type, or the interview type, may be 12.7 used to test the candidates. 12.8 (g) The classifications described in paragraph (c), clause 12.9 (4), must be authorized by the county board. Applicants to fill 12.10 vacancies in the classifications are exempt from ranking and 12.11 certification provided for in section 383B.29, subdivision 2, 12.12 paragraph (b), clause (2). The director shall refer all 12.13 qualified applicants to the appointing authority having 12.14 vacancies in the appropriate classifications. 12.15 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.32, 12.16 subdivision 2, is amended to read: 12.17 Subd. 2. [UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE.] (a) The unclassified 12.18 service comprises: 12.19(a)(1) officers chosen by election or appointment to fill 12.20 an elective office.; 12.21(b)(2) members of boards and commissions appointed by the 12.22 county board.; 12.23(c)(3) physicians, medical residents, interns, and 12.24 students in training.; 12.25(d)(4) nonsalaried attending medical staff.; 12.26(e)(5) special sheriff's deputies serving without pay.; 12.27(f)(6) seasonal, temporary, provisional, intermittent, and 12.28 emergency positions.; 12.29(g)(7) positions funded by specific governmental or 12.30 nongovernmental grants of intermittent or limited funding 12.31 duration.; 12.32(h)(8) theheaddirector or principal administrative 12.33 officer of abureau ordepartment appointed pursuant to sections 12.34 383B.101 to 383B.103; or appointed by the county board; or 12.35 appointed for a term pursuant tostatute.law;Notwithstanding12.36any contrary provision of other law, any person coming within13.1this provision, who, on August 11, 1980, is in the classified13.2service, shall remain in the classified service until vacating13.3the position. Thereafter, any appointment hereunder shall be in13.4the unclassified service.13.5(i)(9) chief deputy or principal assistant and secretary 13.6 for each elected official.; 13.7(j)(10) examiner of titles and deputy examiners.; 13.8(k)(11) chief criminal deputy sheriff, a chief civil 13.9 deputy sheriff, a chief administrative deputy sheriff, and a 13.10 chief financial services deputy sheriff.; 13.11(l)(12) public defender.; 13.12(m) Administrative assistant to the district court13.13administrator.13.14(n) Temporary judicial appointments performing a special13.15function.13.16(o)(13) county medical examiner.; 13.17(p)(14) office staff appointed by the county administrator 13.18 pursuant to sections 383B.101 to 383B.103.; and 13.19(q)(15) county administrator. 13.20 (b) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of other law, 13.21 any person coming within paragraph (a), clause (8), who, on the 13.22 effective date of this section, is in the classified service, 13.23 remains in the classified service until vacating the position. 13.24 After that, an appointee to a position described in paragraph 13.25 (a), clause (8), is in the unclassified service. 13.26 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.32, 13.27 subdivision 3, is amended to read: 13.28 Subd. 3. [UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE, COMPENSATION.] The human 13.29 resources director shall establish a compensation plan in 13.30 accordance with section 383B.31,clause (e)paragraph (c), 13.31 clause (2), for those employees in the unclassified service 13.32 identified in subdivision 2, clauses(c), (d), (f), (h), (i),13.33(j), (k), (m), and (p)(3), (4), (6), (8), (9), (10), (11), 13.34 (13), and (14). 13.35 Sec. 11. [REPEALER.] 13.36 Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 383B.35, is repealed.