2420                                              LAWS OF MARYLAND [Ch. 709

hereby added to Article 64A — Merit System, of the
annotated Code of Maryland (1972 Replacement Volume and
1973 Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 64A - Merit System
24B.

(A) THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES OF BALTIMORE CITY AMD ALL EMPLOYEES THEREOF ARE
TRANSFERRED AS OF JULY 1, [[1976]] 1975 , WITHOUT FURTHER
EXAMINATION OR QUALIFICATION, TO THE STATE MERIT SYSTEM.

(By THE DIRECTOR AND EMPLOYEES SHALL:

(1)    BE FOLLY SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS ARTICLE AND OF ARTICLE 73B OF THE CODE, ENTITLED
"PENSIONS";

(2)    BE CLASSIFIED IK THE JOB CLASSIFICATION
IN THE STATE MERIT SYSTEM WHICH [[MOST CLOSELY
CORRESPONDS TO THEIR RESPECTIVE JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AS
EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OF
BALTIMORE CITY; ]] IS COMMENSURATE WITH OR HIGHER THAN THE
PRESENT JOB CLASSIFICATION HELD BY THE EMPLOYEE AMD BE
COMMENSURATE WITH OR GREATER THAN CURRENT JOB FUNCTIONS
AND ADMINISTRATIVE OR SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES;

(3) BE GIVEN CREDIT FOR THEIR YEARS OF
SERVICE RENDERED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OF
BALTIMORE CITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ESTABLISHING (I)
COMPENSATION RATES (INCLUDING LONGEVITY STEPS), (II) THE
BASIC BATES FOR ANNUAL LEAVE, (III) THE STATUTORY PERIOD
REQUIRED FOR THE VESTING OF RETIREMENT INTERESTS, AND
(IV) SICK LEAVE CREDIT EARNINGS PROVIDED UNDER THIS
ARTICLE;

(4) RECEIVE NEITHER ANY DIMINUTION IN
COMPENSATION SOLELY AS A RESULT OF THIS TRANSFER NOR ANY
DIMINUTION IN THE AMOUNTS OF ACCUMULATED ANNUAL OR SICK
LEAVE CREDITED TO EACH EMPLOYEE AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER;
BUT NO ACCUMULATED ANNUAL LEAVE OR SICK LEAVE MAY BE
CREDITED TO THE EMPLOYEES IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT OF
ACCUMULATION PERMITTED UNDER THIS ARTICLE[[;

(5) ENJOY THE SAME RIGHT TO A VESTED
RETIREMENT INTEREST AS THEY ENJOYED UNDER THE EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE ON THE DATE
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE TRANSFER]].

(5) RESIDENTS OF BALTIMORE CITY SHALL RETAIN
THEIR RIGHTS OF PRIORITY TO POSITIONS IN THE BALTIMORE
CITY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.