1208

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 461

who cannot work or do not desire to work full time, [the]
THE first increment of [[flexible hours]] PART-TIME
employment positions under this section shall be
implemented not later than July 1, 1976. For each year
thereafter, an additional one percent of all positions to
which this section applies shall be available on a
[[flexible hours]] PART—TIME employment basis.          The

aggregate of all positions thus designated shall not
exceed five percent.

(2) Upon the request of a State agency, the

Secretary may waive the percentage minimum applicable to

any year referred to above, if the Secretary finds that

compliance__with a percentage minimum [flexible hours]

PART-TIME employment requirement for any year would

materially impair the ability of the agency to perform

its mission, or would cause the agency's efficiency to be
severely impaired, or if the agency is undergoing a
substantial reduction in force.

(f) The Secretary shall consider the welfare of
wage and salary earners of any department, agency or unit
of State government charged with implementing the
provisions of this section. He, or his designee, shall:

(1) Conduct research and experimentation
projects and any other activities designed to promote, in
public employment, the advancement of opportunities for
persons who are unable or who do not desire to work full

(2) Promote and supervise programs for

[flexible hours] PART—TIME employment in executive

agencies;

(3) Encourage adoptions of [flexible hours]
PART-TIME employment practices by all public employers.

(h) No person who is otherwise__qualified for or

desirous of, or who is presently employed in full—time
State employment shall be required to accept [flexible

hour] PART-TIME employment as a condition of new or

continued employment.

(i) [All persons employed in flexible hours

employment positions pursuant to the policy established

by paragraph (b) (1) of this section shall receive, on a

pro rata basis, all benefits__normally available to

full—time employees of all executive agencies in similar

position,, grade, or length of service.] ALL PERSONS

EMPLOYED IN PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS PURSUANT TO

THE POLICY ESTABLISHED BY PARAGRAPH (B) (1) OF THIS

SECTION SHALL RECEIVE AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF ALL EMPLOYMENT

RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES__AND BENEFITS AND SHALL MEET THE

STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF EMPLOYMENT NORMALLY

AVAILABLE TO AND REQUIRED OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES OF

EXECUTIVE AGENCIES IN SIMILAR POSITION, GRADE AND LENGTH
OF SERVICE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER RULES ESTABLISHED BY THE