786                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 567

visions for increments based on term of service for each classified;
position. Salaries established in the offices of the clerk of court, [or in
the office of] the register of wills, and the supervisor of assessments
shall be set by the comptroller. The salaries in the treasurer's office
shall be set by the treasurer, with the approval of the county
commissioners.

4-6

The register of wills, the clerk of court, the supervisor of assess-
ments, and the county treasurer, when an emergency arises and time
will not permit compliance with the provisions of this chapter or any
regulation adopted hereunder, may make an emergency appointment
to their respective offices for a period not to exceed four months.
Such employee shall be known as an emergency employee and have
no status as a classified employee.

4-7

(b)   The register of wills, the clerk of court, the supervisor of
assessments and the county treasurer may at any time before the
expiration of a probationary period, to be prescribed by rule by the
classified service board, which in no event shall exceed six months,
discharge any person appointed to a classified position in their
respective offices; provided, however, that the board may extend the
probation period an additional six months if in its judgment such
extension is deemed desirable. The employee so discharged shall be
considered permanently separated from such position.

(c)   No employee who has completed his probation may have his
position abolished. No employee 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
shall be filed by the register of wills, the clerk of court, the supervisor
of assessments, or the county treasurer, as the case may be, and
notice thereof given to the employee by mailing a copy of such charge
addressed to the employee at his address. Such an employee will be
given an opportunity to be heard before the classified board, which
shall consist of the two members not directly associated with the
department wherein such employee is employed. The findings and
decision of such board shall be filed with the commissioner of
personnel and such employee shall be provided with a right to appeal
such findings and decision within ninety days of such filing to the
commissioner of personnel. In the event no such appeal is taken
within ninety days, the decision of the classified board shall be final
and shall be certified to the register of wills, the clerk of court or
the county treasurer, as the case may be, and shall forthwith be
enforced by him. In the event an appeal is taken, the commissioner
of personnel shall be notified of such appeal in writing by such
employee within the time prescribed herein. The finding and decision
of the commissioner of personnel shall be final and shall be certified
to the register of wills, the clerk of court or the county treasurer,
as the case may be, and shall be forthwith enforced by him.

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The classified service board shall establish classified positions in