BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor                            1377

THE AUSPICES OF THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL AN EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM TO ASSURE THAT STATE MERIT SYSTEM
EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS FOR STATE MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYMENT
ARE PROVIDED EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF
MERIT AND FITNESS. ALL MERIT SYSTEM ACTIONS AND
TRANSACTIONS SHALL BE MADE WITHOUT REGARD TO POLITICAL OR
RELIGIOUS OPINION OR AFFILIATION, MARITAL STATUS, RACE,
COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HANDICAP,
AGE, OR OTHER NONMERIT FACTORS, EXCEPT WHEN SEX, HANDICAP,
OR AGE INVOLVES A BONA FIDE JOB REQUIREMENT.

12B.

THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT AND OVERALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE EQUAL

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM FOR STATE MERIT SYSTEM
EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS AND FOR STATE MERIT SYSTEM
EMPLOYMENT. THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL SHALL DEVELOP,
PROMULGATE, AND ENFORCE RULES, REGULATIONS, AND GUIDELINES
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
PROGRAM. THESE RULES, REGULATIONS, AND GUIDELINES SHALL
COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS GOVERNING
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND THE STATE MERIT SYSTEM LAW.
THE HEAD OF EACH AGENCY WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE RULES, REGULATIONS,
AND GUIDELINES ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND
SHALL PREPARE AN ANNUAL AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THEM.

THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL SHALL PERIODICALLY REVIEW
AND EVALUATE THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM WITHIN
EACH AGENCY OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND SHALL REQUIRE THE
PROGRESS REPORTS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE SECRETARY. THE
SECRETARY SHALL CONSULT WITH AND SOLICIT THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

12C.

THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL SHALL APPOINT AN EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COORDINATOR. THE COORDINATOR, UNDER
THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETARY SHALL:

(1)    ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE THE STATE EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM;

(2)    PERFORM THE DUTIES CONNECTED WITH IT AS ARE
DELEGATED BY THE SECRETARY; AND

(3)    COORDINATE THE OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF
THE VARIOUS FAIR PRACTICE OFFICERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 12D.

12D.

ALL STATE AGENCIES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
AND INTENT OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND THE STATE'S LAWS
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION, SHALL COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE
SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL AND DULY COMPLY WITH VALIDLY ADOPTED