<section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-101" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Notice of Personnel Provisions to State Personnel Management Employees"> <text>The head of each principal unit shall notify the employees in the unit of the location, at the work site, of a copy of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>this Division I of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>all applicable personnel policies, guidelines, and regulations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-201" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Coordinator” means the Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Program” means the Equal Employment Opportunity Program established under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Unit” means a unit of the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-202" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Equal Employment Opportunity Program, which is under the authority of the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to ensure a system based on merit that provides equal opportunity in employment on the basis of merit and fitness.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The following employees and applicants for employment are included in the Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee in any unit of the Executive Branch of State government, including a unit with an independent personnel system; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an applicant for a position in the skilled service, professional service, or management service, of the State Personnel Management System or a comparable position in an independent personnel system in the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-203" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>Except as provided in § 5–209 of this subtitle, in addition to any right to file an employment discrimination complaint with the Commission on Civil Rights, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or in court, an employee may elect to pursue an allegation of employment discrimination under the complaint resolution procedures of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-204" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>The Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>administer the Program in compliance with all applicable State and federal laws governing equal employment opportunity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt regulations, policies, and directives to implement the Program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>evaluate the equal employment efforts in each unit in the Program;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>take any action necessary and permitted by law to enforce this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>at least annually report on the Program to the Governor.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-205" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with the provisions and intent of the Maryland Constitution and other laws of the State, each unit shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>comply with all applicable regulations, policies, guidelines, and directives of the Secretary to carry out this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>cooperate fully with the Coordinator in the investigation of complaints of discrimination in violation of § 5–208 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>in accordance with the regulations, policies, guidelines, and directives of the Secretary, annually prepare a plan that includes the development and implementation of policies and programs to ensure that protected group members are appropriately represented and that the personnel practices in the unit are not discriminatory; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>submit to the Secretary the progress reports about the plan that the Secretary requires;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>for each fiscal year, submit to the Coordinator by the following October 15 an annual report about the activities that the unit undertook in that fiscal year to implement the Program, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>information about personnel practices within the unit;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a summary of complaints filed, investigated, resolved, and pending;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>information about relations with other units of State government;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>information about sexual harassment policies and prevention training; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>a summary of sexual harassment complaints filed, investigated, resolved, and pending; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>provide a copy of the annual report to the Commission on Civil Rights.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, the University System of Maryland may satisfy any reporting requirement required by this subtitle or by regulations adopted under this subtitle by submitting to the Secretary an annual report on the System’s equal employment opportunity policies and programs in such format as is determined by the System’s Board of Regents.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An appointing authority shall provide each employee subject to this subtitle with a notice of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the protections and remedies against employment discrimination available to the employee under:</text> <level label="i"> <text>this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the laws governing the Commission on Civil Rights; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the laws governing the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the applicable time limitations for filing complaints under those laws.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-206" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>The Governor, with the advice of the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight, shall appoint an Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Coordinator shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>administer and enforce the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>investigate and, as appropriate, resolve complaints that involve allegations of violations of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-207" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The head of each principal unit shall appoint:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a fair practices officer who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, reports directly to the head of the unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is an assistant secretary or an employee of the unit with stature similar to that of an assistant secretary; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an appropriate number of equal employment opportunity officers for the unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If necessary, the fair practices officer of a unit may also be the unit’s equal employment opportunity officer.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The fair practices officer of the Department of State Police:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be an expert in diversity issues and equal employment law, procedures, and practices;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall report directly to the Secretary of State Police; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>may not be a sworn law enforcement officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>All appointments under this subsection shall be made in accordance with position descriptions approved by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall provide training, assistance, and advice for equal employment opportunity officers and fair practices officers.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each fair practices officer shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>implement the Program within the unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>investigate and, as appropriate, resolve complaints filed under § 5–211 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>coordinate activities of equal employment opportunity officers in the unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An equal employment opportunity officer shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>monitor all personnel actions adopted by the unit;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>attest that procedures consistent with this article, the Governor’s Code on Fair Practices, and other State and federal equal employment opportunity laws were followed by the unit in taking a personnel action; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>perform the duties assigned by the fair practices officer and any other duty required by this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>An appointing authority shall delay the effective date of any adverse personnel action that directly affects an equal employment opportunity officer for up to 45 days, pending review and resolution by the Coordinator.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-208" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>All personnel actions concerning an employee in the Executive Branch of State government shall be made in accordance with § 2–302 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Personnel actions concerning an employee or applicant for employment in the skilled service or professional service of the State Personnel Management System or comparable position in an independent personnel system in the Executive Branch of State government shall also be made without regard to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>political affiliation, belief, or opinion; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other nonmerit factor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>All personnel actions concerning an employee or applicant in the management service shall also be made without regard to the employee’s political affiliation, belief, or opinion.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, personnel actions concerning special appointments or applicants for special appointment in the State Personnel Management System or comparable positions in an independent personnel system in the Executive Branch of State government shall be made without regard to political affiliation, belief, or opinion.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the positions that are designated by the Secretary under § 4–201(c)(2)(ii) of this article or by the Secretary of Transportation under § 2–103.4(b)(2) of the Transportation Article, personnel actions concerning special appointments or applicants for special appointment in the State Personnel Management System or comparable positions in an independent personnel system in the Executive Branch of State government may be made with regard to political affiliation, belief, or opinion.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The protections of this section are in addition to whatever legal or constitutional protections an employee or applicant has.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-209" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee in the skilled service, professional service, or management service of the State Personnel Management System may elect to pursue an allegation of employment discrimination under:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complaint procedures in this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the grievance procedures in Title 12 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An employee of the University System of Maryland who is eligible to file a grievance under Title 13 of the Education Article may elect to pursue an allegation of employment discrimination under:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complaint procedures in this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a grievance under Title 13 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An employee of Morgan State University who is eligible to file a grievance under Title 14 of the Education Article may elect to pursue an allegation of employment discrimination under:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complaint procedures in this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a grievance under Title 14 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-210" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>A complainant may be represented during the complaint process by any person the complainant chooses.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a complainant fails to appeal a decision in accordance with this subtitle, the complainant is considered to have accepted the decision.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A failure to decide a complaint in accordance with this subtitle is considered a denial from which an appeal may be made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each party shall make every effort to resolve a complaint at the lowest level possible.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-211" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>An applicant or employee subject to this subtitle may file with the head of the principal unit a written complaint:</text> <level label="1"> <text>that alleges a violation of § 5–208 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>that alleges harassment in violation of § 20–606(a)(5) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A complaint under subsection (a)(1) of this section must be filed within 1 year after the complainant first knew of or reasonably should have known of the alleged violation that is the basis for the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A complaint under subsection (a)(2) of this section must be filed within 2 years after the alleged violation that is the basis for the complaint.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-212" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, within 60 days after a complaint under § 5–211 of this subtitle is received:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an equal employment officer, under the direction of the fair practices officer, shall investigate the complaint and recommend a proposed decision to the head of the principal unit; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the head of the principal unit shall issue a written decision to the complainant and may grant any appropriate relief.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The time period under subsection (a) of this section may be extended up to an additional 30 days if the applicant or employee who filed the complaint provides written authorization to the equal employment officer investigating the complaint.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-213" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 10 days after receiving a decision under § 5-212 of this subtitle, a complainant may appeal the decision in writing to the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 30 days after an appeal is received:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Coordinator:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall review the complaint and the decision being appealed;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may conduct any necessary investigation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>shall recommend to the Secretary or designee a finding of whether a violation of this subtitle has occurred; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Secretary or designee shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>take the action described in subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue to the parties a written decision that includes notice of any remedial action taken.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Secretary or designee determines that a violation has not occurred, the Secretary or designee shall dismiss the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Secretary or designee determines that a violation has occurred, the Secretary or designee shall take appropriate remedial action.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>As remedial action for a violation of § 5-208 of this subtitle, the Secretary or designee may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>order the removal of detrimental information from the complainant's State personnel records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require the head of the principal unit to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>hire, promote, or reinstate the complainant or end the complainant's suspension from employment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>award the complainant back pay up to the day of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>grant the complainant leave or seniority;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual who caused the violation; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>take any other remedial action that the Secretary or designee considers appropriate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The decision of the Secretary or designee is final.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-214" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>Information obtained as part of an investigation conducted under this subtitle is confidential within the meaning of Title 4 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-215" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Equal Employment Opportunity Program in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>An employee who violates or fails to comply with this subtitle is subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-301" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle applies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all employees and State employees who are applicants for positions in the Executive Branch of State government, including a unit with an independent personnel system; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>if both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia enact similar whistleblower protections or waive their sovereign immunity as applied to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for the purpose of providing whistleblower protections, all employees of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For the purpose of subsection (a)(2) of this section, the General Assembly considers the following whistleblower protection laws to be similar to whistleblower protection laws established under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the District of Columbia’s Employees of District Contractors and Instrumentality Whistleblower Protection Act, Title 2, Chapter 2, Subchapter XII of the Code of the District of Columbia; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Fraud and Abuse Whistleblower Protection Act, Title 2.2, Chapter 30.1 of the Code of Virginia.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-302" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not preclude action for defamation or invasion of privacy.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not prohibit a personnel action that would have been taken regardless of a disclosure of information.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-303" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>The Secretary shall adopt regulations for processing and resolving complaints brought under this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-304" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>The head of each principal unit shall provide the employees of the unit with written notice of the protections and remedies provided by this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the requirement specified in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Juvenile Services shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>provide all employees of the Department of Juvenile Services with written notice of the protections and remedies provided by § 5–305(2) and (3) of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>include information on the protections and remedies provided by § 5–305(2) and (3) of this subtitle in the Department’s employee handbook and in any new employee orientation or training.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-305" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>Subject to the limitations of § 5–306 of this subtitle, a supervisor, appointing authority, or the head of a principal unit may not take or refuse to take any personnel action as a reprisal against:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an employee who discloses information that the employee reasonably believes evidences:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an abuse of authority, gross mismanagement, or gross waste of money;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a violation of law;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an employee of the Department of Juvenile Services who discloses information to the Director of Juvenile Justice Monitoring or staff of the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman, including the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit relating to the Unit’s duties under § 9–4014 of the State Government Article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an employee of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services who discloses information to the Correctional Ombudsman or staff of the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman relating to the Office’s duties under § 9–4004 of the State Government Article; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>an employee who, following a disclosure under item (1), (2), or (3) of this section, seeks a remedy provided under this subtitle or any other law or policy governing the employee’s unit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-306" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>Section 5-305 of this subtitle applies to a disclosure that is specifically prohibited by law only if that disclosure is made exclusively to the Attorney General in the manner allowed in § 5-313 of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-307" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>An employee in the State Personnel Management System who seeks relief for a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle may elect to file:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a complaint under § 5-309 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a grievance under Title 12 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An employee of the University System of Maryland who is eligible to file a grievance under Title 13 of the Education Article and seeks relief for a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle may elect to file:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a complaint under § 5-309 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a grievance under Title 13 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An employee of Morgan State University who is eligible to file a grievance under Title 14 of the Education Article and seeks relief for a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle may elect to file:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a complaint under § 5-309 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a grievance under Title 14 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-308" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A complainant may be represented during the complaint process by any person the complainant chooses.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Either party may be represented at a hearing by counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a complainant fails to appeal a decision in accordance with this subtitle, the complainant is considered to have accepted the decision.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A failure to decide a complaint in accordance with this subtitle is considered a denial from which an appeal may be made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each party shall make every effort to resolve a complaint at the lowest level possible.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-309" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>An employee subject to this subtitle may file with the Secretary a complaint that alleges a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A complaint under this subtitle must be filed within 6 months after the complainant first knew of or reasonably should have known of the violation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>When a complaint is received, the Secretary or designee promptly shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>send a copy of the complaint to the head of the principal unit named in the complaint; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>advise the head of the principal unit to respond in writing to the complaint within 20 days after receiving the copy.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 60 days after a complaint is received:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the complaint shall be investigated to determine whether a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle has occurred:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by the Secretary or designee of the Secretary; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if the Department is charged in the complaint, by a designee of the Governor; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Secretary or designee or the Governor's designee shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>take the action described in subsection (d)(1) or (2) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue to the complainant and head of the principal unit a written decision that includes any remedial action taken.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Secretary or designee or the Governor's designee determines that a violation has not occurred, the Secretary or Governor's designee shall dismiss the complaint.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Secretary or designee or the Governor's designee determines that a violation has occurred, the Secretary or designee shall take appropriate remedial action.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>As a remedial action for a violation of § 5-305 of this subtitle, the Secretary or designee may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>order the removal of any related detrimental information from the complainant's State personnel records;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require the head of the principal unit to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>hire, promote, or reinstate the complainant or end the complainant's suspension from employment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>award the complainant back pay to the day of the violation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>grant the complainant leave or seniority;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual who caused the violation; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>take any other remedial action consistent with the purposes of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-310" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <level label="a"> <text>A complainant may appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings:</text> <level label="1"> <text>within 10 days after receiving a decision under § 5-309 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>when a decision is not issued within 60 days after the complaint is filed and the complainant requests a hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct a hearing on each appeal in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. The Office is bound by any regulation, declaratory ruling, prior adjudication, or other settled, preexisting policy, to the same extent as the Department is or would have been bound if it were hearing the case.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A record that is protected from disclosure under Title 4 of the General Provisions Article may be used as evidence in a hearing only if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the material is essential to the conduct of the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>names and other identifying information are deleted to the extent necessary to maintain confidentiality.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The confidentiality of records and information protected from disclosure under Title 4 of the General Provisions Article shall be maintained in each hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 45 days after the close of the hearing record, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall issue to the parties a written decision and may grant any appropriate relief under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings is final.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A complainant who prevails at a hearing may be awarded any appropriate relief, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any remedial action allowed under § 5-309(e) of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>costs of litigation and reasonable attorney's fees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A complainant or appointing authority may appeal the decision issued under subsection (c) of this section in accordance with § 10-222 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-311" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>After reviewing a final decision under this subtitle, the court may award costs of litigation and reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing complainant and any other appropriate relief.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-312" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>If, during an investigation under § 5-309(c) of this subtitle, the Secretary or Governor's designee finds that reasonable grounds exist to believe that a crime has been committed, the Secretary or Governor's designee shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>promptly refer the matter to an appropriate prosecutor;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>make all pertinent evidence available to the prosecutor; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>send to the individual believed to have committed the crime a notice that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>contains a statement of the allegation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>notifies the individual that the matter has been referred to a prosecutor;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>advises the individual of the individual's right to obtain counsel; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>advises the individual of the individual's right to refuse to respond to the allegation if a response might be incriminating.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-313" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>For purposes of this subtitle, the Attorney General shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>designate an assistant Attorney General to receive from applicants and employees any information the disclosure of which is otherwise protected by law;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>investigate each allegation of illegality or impropriety;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>take appropriate legal action; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if the investigation concerns an allegation of illegality or impropriety in the Executive Branch, submit a confidential report to the Governor that describes the content of the disclosure.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-314" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Maryland Whistleblower Law in the Executive Branch of State Government"> <text>Information obtained as part of an investigation conducted under this subtitle is confidential within the meaning of Title 4 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </section> <section article="gsp" article_name="State Personnel and Pensions" number="5-401" title_number="5" title_name="Employee Rights and Protections" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Mental Health Services for Traumatic Events"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“State facility” has the meaning stated in § 8–306(a) of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Unit” means a unit of the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a traumatic event occurs in a State facility of a unit and results in the death of an individual, the unit shall obtain mental health support services for any employee of the unit affected by the traumatic event.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The services required under this section shall be provided within 48 hours after the traumatic event occurs.</text> </level> </section>