1722                                        LAWS OF MARYLAND                                 Ch. 525

The Secretary of Personnel shall by rule prescribe what
shall constitute resignation.

The appointing authority may at any time before the
expiration of the probation period reject any person
appointed to a position in his department upon statement in
writing to the Secretary of Personnel of the cause for
rejection; the probation period shall be for a period not
exceeding 90 days, except for positions higher than the pay
scale numbered 7 on January 1, 1967, in which positions the
probation period shall be for a period not exceeding six
months, unless the appointing authority shall suggest and
the Secretary shall approve a longer period, which shall in
no event under any circumstances, including changes of job
classifications, exceed six months, except for positions
higher than the pay scale numbered 12 on January 1, 1967, in
which positions the period of probation shall not exceed one
year, provided that no appointing authority shall have power
to remove a probationer who has been appointed by promotion
from another class without the consent of the Secretary.
The employee so rejected shall be considered permanently
separated from such position, but the Secretary 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.

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 or by any citizen, provided, however,
that no such charges may be filed by a citizen, without the
consent of the appointing authority or of the Secretary, and
such charge shall within ninety days after filing, be heard,
investigated and determined by the Secretary or by some
person or board appointed by the Secretary to hear,
investigate and determine the same. THE FINDING AND

DECISION OF THE SECRETARY SHALL BE RENDERED WITHIN 45 DAYS

AFTER THE CHARGE IS HEARD THE SECRETARY OF PERSONNEL SHALL

RENDER HIS DECISION WITHIN 45 DAYS AFTER A HEARING IS HELD

BEFORE HIM OR HIS AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OR WITHIN 45
DAYS AFTER ALL LEGAL MEMORANDA OR BRIEFS HAVE BEEN FILED.

The finding and decision of the Secretary or of such
person or board when approved by the Secretary shall be
final, and shall be certified to the appointing authority
and shall be forthwith enforced by such authority.

The Secretary 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. The provisions of this
section shall apply to the demotion of an employee as
described in § 31 of this article.

36.

The appointing authority may for disciplinary purposes