On or before October 15 of each year, each unit of the Executive Branch of State government shall submit to the Secretary the information that the Secretary requires on the processing and disposition during the preceding fiscal year of each: denial of a pay increase; disciplinary suspension; grievance; involuntary demotion; rejection on probation; and attendance incentive award and conversion made pursuant to Title 9, Subtitle 12 of this article.

This section does not apply to the University System of Maryland. The Secretary shall submit to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly an annual report covering all units of the Executive Branch of State government, including a unit with an independent personnel system, for each fiscal year that: provides information about: employee performance and efficiency; use of leave by State employees; incentive awards; whistleblower proceedings; each denial of a pay increase, each disciplinary suspension, each grievance, each involuntary demotion, and each rejection on probation; and a summary of the equal employment opportunity report required under § 5–204 of this article, including hiring, firing, promotions, terminations, and rejections on probation, by race, sex, and age; provides statistics and rankings that compare minority group State employees to all State employees in all job categories; provides information about part–time work and, in the Secretary’s discretion, alternate work schedules, work days, and work locations; provides information on the total number of positions designated as special appointments, including special appointments designated with regard to political affiliation, belief, or opinion; and makes any recommendations about conditions in State employment that the Secretary considers advisable. The report required by this section shall be submitted on or before January 1 following the fiscal year to which it applies.

On the request of a unit of State government, the Secretary, consistent with available resources, shall offer assistance to the unit in personnel and employee relations matters. On request to the Secretary, the Department, consistent with available resources, shall assist any county or municipal corporation of the State that adopts a merit system for its employees, so that merit systems may be administered throughout the State without unnecessary expense. The Department shall assist the county or municipal corporation making the request by: helping to test candidates for positions; helping to prepare regulations; and making available the full use of the facilities of the Department. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Department shall provide the assistance required by this subsection without charge. A county or municipal corporation shall reimburse the Department for travel and other expenses that the Department incurs because of the use of departmental facilities by that county or municipal corporation.

On request of the Secretary, all employees and officers of the State shall assist the Department in all proper ways in carrying out this Division I and the regulations, guidelines, and policies adopted under it. This assistance shall be provided as a public duty and without extra compensation. On request of the Secretary, all employees and officers of the State or of a county or municipal corporation of the State shall: allow the Department reasonable use of public buildings for tests or investigations under this Division I; provide heat and light for the public buildings used by the Department under this subsection; and in all other proper ways, facilitate the work of the Department.