632                                Laws of Maryland                        [Ch. 440

63D. Upon the adoption of classifications and salary schedules for
each position in the Classified Service, the employee then filling the
respective positions shall automatically and without examination,
become a classified employee of the classified system, subject to all
of the provisions hereunder; provided that an employee receiving a
higher salary than that provided in the salary schedule shall not have
his or her salary decreased, or increased until adjustments for incre-
ments to which he or she is entitled shall have exceeded the salary
being received.

63E. The County Commissioners, when an emergency arises and
time will not permit compliance with the provisions of this sub-title
or any regulation adopted thereunder may make an emergency
appointment for a period not to exceed four months, and such
employee shall be known as an emergency employee and have no
status as a classified employee.

63F. The County Commissioners shall by rule prescribe stand-
ards of performance, for any positions or classes of positions and the
County Commissioners shall have authority to provide facilities for
special training to increase the efficiency of new and old employees.

63G. (a) An employee may be permanently separated from the
Classified Service through resignation, rejection on probation or
removal for cause, and may be temporarily separated through sus-
pension pending charges, or leave of absence granted at the request
of the employee.

(b)   The County Commissioners may at any time before the expi-
ration of a probationary period, to be prescribed by rule, which in
no event shall exceed six (6) months, discharge any person appointed
to a classified position. The employee so discharged shall be consid-
ered permanently separated from such position.

(c)  No employee who has completed his or her probation may have
his position abolished, ; EXCEPT EMPLOYEES OF ANY COUNTY
AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OR INSTITUTION, WHICH MAY
HEREAFTER BE ABOLISHED IN ITS ENTIRETY OR WHOSE
INUNCTIONS MAY HEREAFTER BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
STATE OF MARYLAND. No employee 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
shall be filed by the County Commissioners with the Civil Service
Board, hereinafter provided for, and within thirty (30) days after
such filing, and notice thereof to the employee by mailing a copy of
said charge addressed to the employee at his or her address carried
in the records of the Classified Service, shall be investigated, heard
and determined by the Civil Service Board. The finding and decision
of the said Board may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Allegany
County, and the case shall be heard de novo by said Court.

(d)   The County Commissioners 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, or age of any
employee, provided he or she shall be physically capable of (perform-
ing the duties of his or her employment.

63H. (a) The County Commissioners may, from time to time,
adopt such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions