1812 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 733

tion under the Merit System or classified service unless he
shall be qualified by examination as herein set forth; pro-
vided, however, that where the pressure of work requires the
immediate establishment of an extra position, the said Com-
mission may appoint any person it sees fit at such salary it
deems advisable to fill such position for a period of six months
without said person taking an examination. If the interest of
the said Commission's work requires, a single extension, but
no more, of six months can be made of such an appointment.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted. That the said Commis-
sion may transfer as the interest of its work requires, an em-
ployee from one department to another; provided, however,
that such transfer shall result in no diminution of the salary
of such employee unless said employee agrees to the reduced
salary or the reduction is concurred in by the State Employ-
ment Commissioner.

SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That an employee may
be permanently separated from the classified service through
resignation or removal and may be temporarily separated
through lay-off, suspension, or leave of absence. The said
Commission shall, by rule, prescribe what shall constitute
resignation, which rule shall be subject to the approval of
the State Employment Commissioner. No employee may be
permanently removed except for cause and after an oppor-
tunity to be heard in his own defense. Should the discharged
employee desire, he may appeal his case to the State Em-
ployment Commissioner, whose decision shall be final. No
employee shall be removed from the classified service because
of religious or political opinions or affiliations.

SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That an employee in a
position to be abolished, discontinued, or vacated, because of
change in departmental organization, or through stoppage or
lack of work, shall be laid off and his name placed on the
eligible list for the class of position from which he is laid
off and he shall be re-employed in preference to any eligible
person not an employee of the Commission on or after June
1, 1947, should a vacancy occur in his classified position.
The said Commission may for disciplinary purposes suspend
an employee for not over thirty days. Each suspension shall
be without pay; provided, however, that no employee shall be
suspended for such disciplinary purposes over thirty days
in any calendar year.

SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That every classified
employee shall receive as vacation in each calendar year a