HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                  3449

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1979 Replacement Volume and 1981 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
read(s) as follows:

Article 64A - Merit System

37B.

(A)   IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(1)   "AGENCY" MEANS ANY DEPARTMENT, AGENCY,
BOARD, COMMISSION, OR UNIT OF THE JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE, OR
EXECUTIVE BRANCHES.

(2)   "EMPLOYEE" MEANS A STATE EMPLOYEE,
CLASSIFIED OR UNCLASSIFIED, FULL TIME OR PART TIME, WHO IS
EMPLOYED BY ANY JUDICIAL, LEGISLATIVE, OR EXECUTIVE STATE
AGENCY.

(B)  (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADOPT RULES AND
REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR WORK SCHEDULES WHERE AN EMPLOYEE,
WHOSE PERSONAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS UNDER A RECOGNIZED RELIGION
REQUIRE ABSENCE FROM WORK DURING CERTAIN PERIODS OF TIME,
MAY ELECT TO ENGAGE IN OVERTIME WORK FOR TIME LOST IN ORDER
TO OBSERVE THOSE RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS.

(2)  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW,
AN EMPLOYEE WHO ELECTS OVERTIME COMPENSATORY WORK FOR
PERSONAL RELIGIOUS REASONS BELIEFS SHALL BE GRANTED EQUAL
HOUR FOR HOUR COMPENSATORY TIME OFF FROM THE EMPLOYEE'S
SCHEDULED EMPLOYMENT DUTIES, IN LIEU OF OVERTIME PAY.

(3)  AN AGENCY MAY ADOPT REGULATIONS WRITTEN
POLICIES THAT PROVIDE FOR EXCEPTIONS TO THIS SECTION IN THE
INTEREST OF THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE AGENCY.

(4) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY
IN AN AGENCY OR INSTITUTION WHICH RENDERS A SERVICE THAT
MUST BE PROVIDED CONTINUOUSLY ON A 7 DAY A WEEK BASIS.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1982.

Approved June 1, 1982.

CHAPTER 578