HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1337

authority to provide facilities for special training to increase
the efficiency of new and old employees.

686. (a) An employee may be permanently separated from
the classified service through resignation, rejection on proba-
tion or removal, and may be temporarily separated through
layoff, suspension or leave of absence. The Commissioner shall
by rule prescribe what shall constitute resignation.

(b) The appointing authority may at any time before the
expiration of a probation period, prescribed by the rules of the
Commissioner which in no event shall exceed six months, reject
any person appointed to a position in his department upon
statement in writing to the Commissioner of the cause for re-
jection. The employee so rejected shall be considered perma-
nently separated from such position, but the Commissioner
may keep the name of the person thus rejected on the eligible
list from which he. was appointed for future certification to
another position in the class to which the list applies.

(c) No employee who has completed his probation may be
permanently removed from the classified service except for
cause, upon written charges and after an opportunity to be
heard in his own defense. Such charges may be filed by the
appointing authority and such charge shall, within thirty (30)
days after filing, be heard, investigated and determined by the
Commissioner. The finding and decision of the Commissioner
shall be final and shall be certified to the appointing authority
and shall be forthwith enforced by such authority.

(d) The Commissioner shall by rule, prescribe what may
constitute cause for removal, but no removal shall be allowed
because of the religious or political opinions or affiliations of
any employee.

(e) The County Supervisor shall be considered as the ap-
pointing authority to the extent authorized by other Acts and
such appointing authority may by law be extended to the
County Supervisor concerning the personnel of one or more
County offices or departments, but the County Supervisor will
as an appointing authority be subject to the limitations and
requirements of this Act and the jurisdiction of the Commis-
sioner to the extent that they would apply to any other ap-
pointing authority.

687. The Commissioner shall make an annual report on or
before January 1st in each year to the County Commissioners
concerning his work and proceedings and shall include therein
any recommendations he deems advisable in regard to condi-
tions in service of the County.

688. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or other part or
parts of this sub-title shall be held unconstitutional, such un-