Ch. 640                                        1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(III) A COMBINATION OF PAYMENT MECHANISMS.

(F) (1) PRIVATE CONTRACTORS SHALL OFFER EMPLOYMENT TO A
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE WHO LOSES EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THE TRANSFER
OF COLLECTION RESPONSIBILITIES.

(2) A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR SHALL OFFER EMPLOYMENT UNDER THIS
SUBSECTION:

(I) ON TERMS DEEMED FAIR AND EQUITABLE BY THE STATE
COURT ADMINISTRATOR;

(II) FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS, UNLESS THERE IS CAUSE FOR EARLIER
DISMISSAL; AND

(III) AT A BENEFIT LEVEL COMPARABLE TO THAT OF THE
CONTRACTOR'S OTHER SIMILARLY SITUATED EMPLOYEES.

(F)     (1) PRIVATE CONTRACTORS SHALL OFFER EMPLOYMENT ON TERMS
CONSIDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL
SERVICES TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO ANY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE AFFECTED BY
THE TRANSFER OF COLLECTION RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS SECTION AND TO
RETAIN ANY EMPLOYEES WHO ACCEPT THE OFFER:

(I) FOR THE DURATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM, UNLESS THERE
IS CAUSE FOR DISMISSAL; AND

(II) AT A SALARY AND BENEFIT LEVEL COMPARABLE TO THE
SALARY AND BENEFITS TO WHICH THEY WERE ENTITLED AT THE TIME OF THE
TRANSFER.

(2)(I) A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR SHALL ADOPT A GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE RETAINED BY THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR UNDER
PARAGRAPH (11 OF THIS SUBSECTION.

(II) A DECISION OF THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR ON AN EMPLOYEE'S
GRIEVANCE IS NOT RENEWABLE BY THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.

(3) THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
SHALL ASSIST AN EMPLOYEE WHO DECLINES AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT WITH A
PRIVATE CONTRACTOR TO IDENTIFY A COMPARABLE POSITION IN THE STATE
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO WHICH THE EMPLOYEE MAY APPLY FOR
TRANSFER.

(4) AN EMPLOYEE WHO DECLINES AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT WITH A
PRIVATE CONTRACTOR UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSIDERED LAID OFF
AND SHALL BE ENTITLED TO ALL RIGHTS SPECIFIED UNDER TITLE 11, SUBTITLE 2 OF
THE STATE PERSONNEL AND PENSIONS ARTICLE

(G)     UNDER THE PROGRAM, A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR SHALL:

- 3630 -