Louisiana 2013 2013 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB663 Introduced / Bill

                    HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 663
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
CIVIL SERVICE/FIRE & POL:  Provides relative to certain employment lists established
and maintained by the municipal fire and police civil service board and provides for
the removal of employees during the working test period
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 33:2491(F), 2495, 2551(6), and 2555 and to enact R.S.2
33:2495.1.1 and 2555.1, relative to municipal fire and police civil service; to provide3
relative to certain employment lists established and maintained by municipal fire and4
police civil service boards; to provide relative to employees appointed from the lists5
to a working test period; to provide for the removal of certain employees during the6
working test period; to provide with respect to appeals of employees who are7
rejected after serving a certain period of time of the working test period; and to8
provide for related matters.9
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:10
Section 1.  R.S. 33:2491(F), 2495, 2551(6), and 2555 are hereby amended and11
reenacted and R.S. 33:2495.1.1 and 2555.1 are hereby enacted to read as follows:12
§2491.  Establishment and maintenance of employment lists13
The board shall establish and maintain employment lists containing names14
of persons eligible for appointment to the various classes of positions in the15
classified service, as follows:16
*          *          *17
F.(1) The minimum and maximum period for which a name may remain18
upon a promotional and a competitive employment list established and maintained19 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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by the board for any of the various classes of positions in the classified fire service1
shall be twelve and eighteen months, respectively, for each list.2
(2) The minimum and maximum period for which a name may remain upon3
the competitive employment list established and maintained by the board for any of4
the various classes of positions in the classified police service shall be twelve and5
eighteen months, respectively, for each list.6
(3)(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the minimum7
and maximum period for which a name may remain upon a promotional employment8
list established and maintained by the board for any of the various classes of9
positions in the classified police service shall be twelve and forty-eight months,10
respectively, for each list.11
(b) Except as provided in R.S. 33:2491.4(D), the provisions of this Paragraph12
shall apply to any promotional employment list established and maintained by the13
board pursuant to this Part for any of the various classes of positions in the classified14
police service containing the names of eligible persons on and after the effective date15
of this Subsection.16
*          *          *17
§2495.  Working tests18
A. Every person appointed to a position in the classified service following19
the certification of his name from a promotional or a competitive employment list,20
except as provided in R.S. 33:2495.1.1 and except those appointed on a temporary21
basis, shall be reported to the board as a probational employee within fifteen days of22
his appointment.  The probational employee shall be tested by a working test while23
occupying the position before he may be confirmed as a regular and permanent24
employee in the position.25
B.(1)(a) Except as provided in Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Subsection R.S.26
33:2495.1.1, the period of the working test shall commence immediately upon27
appointment and shall continue for a period of not less than six months nor more28
than one year.29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(2)(a) Any probational employee in the classified fire service, except an1
entry level fireman and an entry level radio, fire alarm, or signal system operator,2
who has served less than six months of his working test for any given position may3
be removed therefrom only with the prior approval of the board, and only upon one4
of the following grounds:5
(i) He is unable or unwilling to perform satisfactorily the duties of the6
position to which he has been appointed.7
(ii)  His habits and dependability do not merit his continuance therein.8
(b) Any such probational employee in the classified fire service may appear9
before the board and present his case before he is removed.10
(c) Any such probational employee in the classified fire service who is11
rejected after having served a working test of six months but not more than one year,12
may appeal to the board only upon the grounds that he has not been given a fair13
opportunity to prove his ability in the position.14
(3)(a)Any probational employee in a position of a competitive class of the15
classified police service, except an entry level police officer, and an entry level radio,16
police alarm, or signal system operator, who has served less than six months of his17
working test for any given position may be removed therefrom only with the prior18
approval of the board. Any probational employee in a position of a promotional19
class of the classified police service, who has served less than three months of his20
working test for any given position may be removed therefrom only with the prior21
approval of the board. Any such probational employee may be removed only upon22
one of the following grounds:23
(i) He is unable or unwilling to perform satisfactorily the duties of the24
position to which he has been appointed.25
(ii)  His habits and dependability do not merit his continuance therein.26
(b) Any such probational employee in the classified police service may27
appear before the board and present his case before he is removed.28 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(c) Any such probational employee in the classified police service appointed1
to a position of a competitive class who is rejected after having served a working test2
of six months but not more than one year, may appeal to the board only upon the3
grounds that he has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the4
position.5
(d) Any such probational employee in the classified police service appointed6
to a position of a promotional class who is rejected after having served a working test7
of three months but not more than one year, may appeal to the board only upon the8
grounds that he has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the9
position.10
(2)(a) Each person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the11
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police12
officer employment list who has demonstrated successful completion of formal13
training as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such appointment14
shall immediately begin the working test.15
(b)(i)  Any person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the16
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police17
officer employment list who has not demonstrated successful completion of formal18
training as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such appointment19
shall be employed by the appointing authority and reported to the board as a recruit20
and, whenever practical or possible, shall immediately begin such formal training.21
The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing authority, and the22
period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not more than six months23
from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall conclude six months24
from the date of original appointment or upon the successful completion of the25
formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working test shall26
commence. The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of27
the appointment of the recruit as a probational firefighter, probational28
firefighter/operator, or probational police officer as the case may be.29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(ii) Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to require that a newly1
appointed firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police officer be terminated should he2
fail to enroll in or complete formal training within the six-month formal training3
period.4
(c)(i) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Paragraph5
for a position in the classification of firefighter or firefighter/operator shall be6
demonstrated by certification as Firefighter I in accordance with National Fire7
Protection Association Standard 1001.8
(ii) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Paragraph9
for a position in the classification of police officer shall be demonstrated by10
certification from a peace officer standards and training accredited training program11
as provided by R.S. 40:2405(A).12
(3)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, each13
person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the classified service14
from the competitive Fire Communications Officer (I) employment list in the city15
of Shreveport who has demonstrated successful completion of formal training as16
provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such appointment shall17
immediately begin the working test.18
(b)(i)  Any person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the19
classified service from the competitive Fire Communications Officer (I) employment20
list in the city of Shreveport who has not demonstrated successful completion of21
formal training as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such22
appointment shall be employed by the appointing authority and reported to the board23
as a recruit and, whenever practical or possible, shall immediately begin such formal24
training. The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing authority,25
and the period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not more than six26
months from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall conclude six27
months from the date of original appointment or upon the successful completion of28
the formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working test shall29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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commence. The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of1
the appointment of the recruit as a probational Fire Communications Officer (I).2
(ii) Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to require that a newly3
appointed Fire Communications Officer (I) be terminated should he fail to enroll in4
or complete formal training within the six-month formal training period.5
(c)  Successful completion of formal training as required by this Paragraph6
for a position in the classification of Fire Communications Officer (I) shall be7
demonstrated by certification as Telecommunicator in accordance with National Fire8
Protection Association Standards 1061 and 1221.9
C. Upon any employee completing his working test, the appointing authority10
shall so advise the board and furnish a signed statement to the respective employee11
of its confirmation and acceptance of the employee as a regular and permanent12
employee in the respective position or of its refusal to confirm the employee and the13
reasons therefor. If, at the expiration of an employee's working test period, the14
appointing authority fails to confirm or reject the employee, such failure to act shall15
constitute a confirmation.  Any employee who is rejected after serving a working test16
of six months but not more than one year may appeal to the board only upon the17
grounds that he was not given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the position.18
D.  The appointing authority may remove, and shall remove upon the order19
of the board, any employee during his working test period who the board finds, after20
giving him notice and an opportunity to be heard, was appointed as a result of an21
error, misrepresentation, or fraud.22
E. In any event where an employee is permitted under this Section to appeal23
to the board, the decision of the board shall be subject to the judicial review provided24
by this Part and the appointing authority and employee shall be governed25
accordingly.26
*          *          *27
§2495.1.1.  Recruit and recruit period28 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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A.(1) Each person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the1
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police2
officer employment list who has demonstrated successful completion of formal3
training as provided in Paragraph (4) of this Subsection prior to such appointment4
shall immediately begin the working test.5
(2)(a) Any person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the6
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police7
officer employment list who has not demonstrated successful completion of formal8
training as provided in Paragraph (4) of this Subsection prior to such appointment9
shall be employed by the appointing authority and reported to the board as a recruit10
and, whenever practical or possible, shall immediately begin such formal training.11
(b) The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing12
authority, and the period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not13
more than six months from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall14
conclude six months from the date of original appointment or upon the successful15
completion of the formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working16
test shall commence.17
(c) The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of18
the appointment of the recruit as a probational firefighter, probational19
firefighter/operator, or probational police officer as the case may be.20
(3) Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to require that a newly21
appointed firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police officer be terminated should he22
fail to enroll in or complete formal training within the six-month formal training23
period.24
(4)(a) Successful completion of formal training as required by this25
Subsection for a position in the classification of firefighter or firefighter/operator26
shall be demonstrated by certification as Firefighter I in accordance with National27
Fire Protection Association Standard 1001.28 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(b) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Subsection1
for a position in the classification of police officer shall be demonstrated by2
certification from a peace officer standards and training accredited training program3
as provided by R.S. 40:2405(A).4
B.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section or any5
other provision of law to the contrary, each person selected for appointment to an6
entry level position in the classified service from the competitive Fire7
Communications Officer (I) employment list in the city of Shreveport who has8
demonstrated successful completion of formal training as provided in Paragraph (4)9
of this Subsection prior to such appointment shall immediately begin the working10
test.11
(2)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section or any12
other provision of law to the contrary, any person selected for appointment to an13
entry level position in the classified service from the competitive Fire14
Communications Officer (I) employment list in the city of Shreveport who has not15
demonstrated successful completion of formal training as provided in Paragraph (4)16
of this Subsection prior to such appointment shall be employed by the appointing17
authority and reported to the board as a recruit and, whenever practical or possible,18
shall immediately begin such formal training.  19
(b) The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing20
authority, and the period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not21
more than six months from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall22
conclude six months from the date of original appointment or upon the successful23
completion of the formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working24
test shall commence.25
(c) The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of26
the appointment of the recruit as a probational Fire Communications Officer (I).27 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(3) Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to require that a newly1
appointed Fire Communications Officer (I) be terminated should he fail to enroll in2
or complete formal training within the six-month formal training period.3
(4) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Subsection4
for a position in the classification of Fire Communications Officer (I) shall be5
demonstrated by certification as Telecommunicator in accordance with National Fire6
Protection Association Standards 1061 and 1221.7
*          *          *8
§2551.  Establishment and maintenance of employment lists9
The board shall establish and maintain lists containing names of persons10
eligible for appointment to the various classes of positions in the classified service,11
as follows:12
*          *          *13
(6)(a) The minimum and maximum period for which a name may remain14
upon a promotional and competitive employment list established and maintained by15
the board for any of the various classes of positions in the classified fire service shall16
be twelve and eighteen months, respectively, for each list.17
(b) The minimum and maximum period for which a name may remain upon18
the competitive employment list established and maintained by the board for any of19
the various classes of positions in the classified police service shall be twelve and20
eighteen months, respectively, for each list.21
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the minimum and22
maximum period for which a name may remain upon a promotional employment list23
established and maintained by the board for any of the various classes of positions24
in the classified police service shall be twelve and forty-eight months, respectively,25
for each list.26
(b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply to any promotional27
employment list established and maintained by the board pursuant to this Part for any28 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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of the various classes of positions in the classified police service containing the1
names of eligible persons on and after the effective date of this Subsection.2
*          *          *3
§2555.  Working tests4
A. Every person appointed to a position in the classified service following5
the certification of his name from a promotional or a competitive employment list,6
except as provided in R.S. 33:2555.1 and except those appointed on a temporary7
basis, shall be reported to the board as a probational employee within fifteen days of8
his appointment. The probational employee shall be tested by a working test while9
occupying the position before he may be confirmed as a regular and permanent10
employee in the position.11
B.(1)(a) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection R.S.12
33:2555.1, the period of the working test shall commence immediately upon13
appointment and shall continue for a period of not less than six months nor more14
than one year.15
(2)(a) Any probational employee in the classified fire service, except an16
entry level fireman and an entry level radio, fire alarm, or signal system operator,17
who has served less than six months of his working test for any given position may18
be removed therefrom only with the prior approval of the board, and only upon one19
of the following grounds:20
(i) He is unable or unwilling to perform satisfactorily the duties of the21
position to which he has been appointed.22
(ii)  His habits and dependability do not merit his continuance therein.23
(b) Any such probational employee in the classified fire service may appear24
before the board and present his case before he is removed.25
(c) Any such probational employee in the classified fire service who is26
rejected after having served a working test of six months but not more than one year,27
may appeal to the board only upon the grounds that he has not been given a fair28
opportunity to prove his ability in the position.29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(3)(a)  Any probational employee in a position of a competitive class of the1
classified police service, except an entry level police officer, and an entry level radio,2
police alarm, or signal system operator, who has served less than six months of his3
working test for any given position may be removed therefrom only with the prior4
approval of the board.  Any probational employee in a position of a promotional5
class of the classified police service, who has served less than three months of his6
working test for any given position may be removed therefrom only with the prior7
approval of the board. Any such probational employee may appeal to the board only8
upon one of the following grounds:9
(i) He is unable or unwilling to perform satisfactorily the duties of the10
position to which he has been appointed.11
(ii)  His habits and dependability do not merit his continuance therein.12
(b) Any such probational employee in the classified police service may13
appear before the board and present his case before he is removed.14
(c) Any such probational employee in the classified police service appointed15
to a position of a competitive class who is rejected after having served a working test16
of six months but not more than one year, may appeal to the board only upon the17
grounds that he has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the18
position.19
(d) Any such probational employee in the classified police service appointed20
to a position of a promotional class who is rejected after having served a working test21
of three months but not more than one year, may appeal to the board only upon the22
grounds that he has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the23
position.24
(2)(a) Each person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the25
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police26
officer employment list who has demonstrated successful completion of formal27
training as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such appointment28
shall immediately begin the working test.29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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(b)(i)  Any person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the1
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police2
officer employment list who has not demonstrated successful completion of formal3
training as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph prior to such appointment4
shall be employed by the appointing authority and reported to the board as a recruit5
and, whenever practical or possible, shall immediately begin such formal training.6
The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing authority, and the7
period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not more than six months8
from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall conclude six months9
from the date of original appointment or upon the successful completion of the10
formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working test shall11
commence. The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of12
the appointment of the recruit as a probational firefighter, probational13
firefighter/operator, or probational police officer as the case may be.14
(ii) Nothing in this Paragraph shall be construed to require that a newly15
appointed firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police officer be terminated should he16
fail to enroll in or complete formal training within the six-month formal training17
period.18
(c)(i) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Paragraph19
for a position in the classification of firefighter or firefighter/operator shall be20
demonstrated by certification as Firefighter I in accordance with National Fire21
Protection Association Standard 1001.22
(ii) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Paragraph23
for a position in the classification of police officer shall be demonstrated by24
certification from a peace officer standards and training accredited training program25
as provided by R.S. 40:2405(A).26
C. Upon any employee completing his working test, the appointing authority27
shall so advise the board and furnish a signed statement to the respective employee28
of its confirmation and acceptance of the employee as a regular and permanent29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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employee in the respective position or of its refusal to confirm the employee, and the1
reasons therefor. If, at the expiration of an employee's working test period, the2
appointing authority fails to confirm or reject the employee, such failure to act shall3
constitute a confirmation.  Any employee who is rejected after serving a working test4
of six months but not more than one year may appeal to the board only upon the5
grounds that he was not given a fair opportunity to prove his ability in the position.6
D.  The appointing authority may remove, and shall remove upon the order7
of the board, any employee during his working test period whom the board finds,8
after giving him notice and an opportunity to be heard, was appointed as a result of9
an error, misrepresentation, or fraud.10
E.  In any event where any employee is permitted under this Part to appeal11
to the board, the decision of the board shall be subject to the judicial review provided12
by this Part and the appointing authority and employee shall be governed13
accordingly.14
*          *          *15
§2555.1.  Recruit and recruit period16
A. Each person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the17
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police18
officer employment list who has demonstrated successful completion of formal19
training as provided in Subsection D of this Section prior to such appointment shall20
immediately begin the working test.21
B.(1)  Any person selected for appointment to an entry level position in the22
classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police23
officer employment list who has not demonstrated successful completion of formal24
training as provided in Subsection D of this Section prior to such appointment shall25
be employed by the appointing authority and reported to the board as a recruit and,26
whenever practical or possible, shall immediately begin such formal training.  27
(2) The formal training shall be provided for through the appointing28
authority, and the period for such formal training shall be for the duration of not29 HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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more than six months from the date of appointment. The formal training period shall1
conclude six months from the date of original appointment or upon the successful2
completion of the formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the working3
test shall commence.4
(3)  The appointing authority shall, within fifteen days, advise the board of5
the appointment of the recruit as a probational firefighter, probational6
firefighter/operator, or probational police officer as the case may be.7
C. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require that a newly8
appointed firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police officer be terminated should he9
fail to enroll in or complete formal training within the six-month formal training10
period.11
D.(1) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Section12
for a position in the classification of firefighter or firefighter/operator shall be13
demonstrated by certification as Firefighter I in accordance with National Fire14
Protection Association Standard 1001.15
(2) Successful completion of formal training as required by this Section for16
a position in the classification of police officer shall be demonstrated by certification17
from a peace officer standards and training accredited training program as provided18
by R.S. 40:2405(A).19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Harris	HB No. 663
Abstract: Relative to the municipal fire and police civil service, provides relative to
promotional employment lists established for the various classes of positions in the
classified police service and provides for the removal of employees during the
working test period.
Present constitution creates a fire and police civil service system applicable to municipalities
of over 13,000 in population and parishes and fire protection districts. Provides that the
system is subject to Art. XIV, §15.1 of the 1921 constitution made statutory by the 1974
constitution. Present law creates and provides for two fire and police civil service systems:
(1) one applicable to any municipality which operates paid police and fire departments and
which has a population of not fewer than 13,000 persons; and (2) one applicable to any HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
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parish, fire protection district, or municipality with a population of fewer than 13,000, but
not fewer than 7,000 persons. Present constitution authorizes modifications to such systems
(by law adopted by 2/3 of each house of the legislature in the case of provisions of Art. XIV,
§15.1 of the 1921 constitution made statutory by the constitution of 1974) but prohibits the
legislature from abolishing the system or making it inapplicable to covered jurisdictions.
Proposed law retains present constitution and present law.
Present law, relative to both systems, provides that a municipal fire and police civil service
board is created in the municipal government. Requires the board to establish and maintain
employment lists containing the names of persons eligible for appointment to various classes
of positions in the classified service.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the minimum and maximum period for which a name may remain
upon a promotional and a competitive employment list shall be 12 and 18 months,
respectively, for each list.
Proposed law provides that with respect to promotional employment lists established and
maintained by the board for the various classes of positions in the classified police service,
the minimum and maximum time a name may remain on a list shall be 12 and 48 months,
respectively, for each list.  Proposed law otherwise retains present law with respect other
employment lists maintained by the board.
Present law provides that the provisions of proposed law shall apply to any promotional
employment list established and maintained by the board for any of the various classes of
positions in the classified police service containing the names of eligible persons on and
after the effective date of proposed law. Provides an exception for lists established and
maintained for the city of West Monroe.
Present law requires, with some exceptions, that every person appointed to a position in the
classified service following the certification of his name from a promotional or a competitive
employment list be tested by a working test while occupying the position before he may be
confirmed as a regular and permanent employee in the position.
Proposed law clarifies that a person appointed to a position in the classified service shall be
a probational employee during the working test period.  Requires that the employee be
reported to the board as a probational employee within 15 days of his appointment.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires, with some exceptions, that the working test period commence
immediately upon appointment and continue for a period of not less than six months nor
more than one year.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that any employee in the classified service, except an entry level
fireman and an entry level radio, fire alarm, or signal system operator, who has served less
than six months of his working test for any given position may be removed with the prior
approval of the board, and only upon one of the following grounds:
(1)He is unable or unwilling to perform satisfactorily the duties of the position to which
he has been appointed.
(2)His habits and dependability do not merit his continuance therein. HLS 13RS-479	ORIGINAL
HB NO. 663
Page 16 of 16
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Authorizes the employee to appear before the board and present his case before he is
removed.  Present law authorizes any employee in the classified service, who is rejected after
having served a working test of six months but not more than one year, to appeal to the
board only upon the grounds that he has not been given a fair opportunity to prove his ability
in the position.
Proposed law retains present law with respect to employees in the classified fire service.
Provides that any employee in a position of a competitive class of the classified police
service, except entry level police officers and entry level radio, police alarm, or signal
system operators, who has served less than six months of his working test may be removed
only upon grounds as provided in present law, with prior approval of the board.  With
respect to any employee in a position of a promotional class of the classified police service,
proposed law provides that any such employee who has served less than three months of his
working test may be removed only upon grounds provided in present law, with prior
approval of the board. Provides that employees in positions of the competitive class and
promotional class who are rejected after having served at least six months and three months
of their working test, respectively, may appeal on the grounds provided in present law.
Retains present law with respect to authorizing a member to appear before the board to
present his case before removal.
Present law requires that each person selected for appointment to an entry level position in
the classified service from the competitive firefighter, firefighter/operator, or police officer
employment list who has demonstrated successful completion of formal training as provided
in present law prior to appointment to immediately begin the working test. Requires any
person selected for appointment to any such position who has not demonstrated successful
completion of formal training prior to appointment to be employed by the appointing
authority and reported to the board as a recruit and to immediately begin formal training.
In the city of Shreveport, the provisions of present law only apply to persons appointed to
an entry level position in the classified service from the competitive Fire Communications
Officer (I) employment list. 
Present law requires that the formal training be provided for through the appointing authority
for a period of not more than six months from the date of appointment.  Requires that the
formal training period conclude six months from the date of original appointment or upon
the successful completion of the formal training, whichever occurs first, at which time the
working test shall commence. Further requires the appointing authority, within 15 days, to
advise the board of the appointment of the recruit as a probational employee.
Present law provides that nothing in present law shall be construed to require that a newly
appointed employee be terminated should he fail to enroll in or complete formal training
within the six-month formal training period.
Present law requires that successful completion of formal training as required by present law
for a position in the classification of firefighter or firefighter/operator be demonstrated by
certification as Firefighter I in accordance with National Fire Protection Association
Standard 1001 and for a position in the classification of police be demonstrated by
certification from a peace officer standards and training accredited training program as
provided by present law (R.S. 40:2405(A)). In the city of Shreveport, successful completion
of formal training for a position in the classification of Fire Communications Officer (I) shall
be demonstrated by certification as Telecommunicator in accordance with National Fire
Protection Association Standards 1061 and 1221.
Proposed law retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 33:2491(F), 2495, 2551(6), and 2555; Adds R.S. 2495.1.1 and 2551.1)