State Personnel and Pensions (GSP) — Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1. State Personnel Management System Established; Purpose
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-101 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 1. State Personnel Management System Established; Purpose
§ 6–101LinkCopy Citation
There is a State Personnel Management System, which is under the authority of the Secretary of Budget and Management.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-102 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 1. State Personnel Management System Established; Purpose
§ 6–102LinkCopy Citation
The basic purpose of the State Personnel Management System is to provide a system of employment for employees under the authority of the Secretary. The State Personnel Management System:
(1)
(i)
establishes categories of service for employees based on the general nature of the employee's duties or method of appointment; and
(ii)
provides procedures for the appointment, discipline, and termination of employees in each service;
(2)
(i)
groups employees into classes based on specific duties that employees perform; and
(ii)
provides a system of pay for employees;
(3)
provides for a system of merit employment in the skilled service and professional service, regardless of an applicant's political or religious opinions or affiliations or of any standard other than business efficiency;
(4)
provides a process for the:
(i)
promotion and training of employees; and
(ii)
prompt removal of employees; and
(5)
provides for other aspects of human resources management.
Subtitle 2. Responsibilities of Appointing Authorities in State Personnel Management System
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-201 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 2. Responsibilities of Appointing Authorities in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–201LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle only applies to the appointing authorities of units whose employees are governed by the State Personnel Management System laws.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-202 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 2. Responsibilities of Appointing Authorities in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–202LinkCopy Citation
(a)
An appointing authority shall take any personnel action governed by Division I of this article consistent with the provisions of Division I and the regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures adopted under it.
(b)
An appointing authority shall cooperate with the Secretary to ensure that Division I of this article is properly enforced.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-203 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 2. Responsibilities of Appointing Authorities in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–203LinkCopy Citation
An appointing authority may appoint an employee to a position in the skilled service, professional service, management service, or executive service only if the position has been assigned to a class in accordance with Title 4, Subtitle 2 of this article.
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-301 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–301LinkCopy Citation
Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, the following positions in State government are excluded from the State Personnel Management System:
(1)
a position to which an individual is elected by popular vote; and
(2)
a position to which an individual's election or appointment is provided for by the Maryland Constitution.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-302 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–302LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in this section or otherwise by law, all positions in the Executive Branch of State government are in the State Personnel Management System.
(b)
Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, all positions in a unit in the Executive Branch of State government with an independent personnel system are excluded from the State Personnel Management System.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-303 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–303LinkCopy Citation
All positions in the Judicial Branch of State government are excluded from the State Personnel Management System except as otherwise provided by law.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-304 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–304LinkCopy Citation
All positions in the Legislative Branch of State government are excluded from the State Personnel Management System.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-305 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–305LinkCopy Citation
The State Personnel Management System includes any other position that is specified by law to be in the skilled service, professional service, management service, executive service, or otherwise in the State Personnel Management System.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-306 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 3. Positions in State Personnel Management System
§ 6–306LinkCopy Citation
Any individual 70 years old or older is eligible for appointment to any nontemporary position in the State Personnel Management System for which the individual qualifies, and the appointment is subject to the provisions of this article.
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-401 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–401LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as provided in this title or otherwise by law, all positions in the Executive Branch of State government that are included in the State Personnel Management System are in the skilled service.
(b)
The skilled service includes any other position that is specified by law to be in the skilled service.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-402 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–402LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by law, a position in the Executive Branch of State government is in the professional service if the position:
(1)
requires knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a course of specialized intellectual instruction and study; and
(2)
normally requires a professional license, advanced degree, or both.
(b)
The professional service includes any other position that is determined by the Secretary to be in the professional service.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-403 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by law, a position in the Executive Branch of State government is in the management service if the position:
(1)
primarily involves direct responsibility for the oversight and management of personnel and financial resources;
(2)
requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment; and
(3)
is not in the executive service.
(b)
The management service includes any other position that is determined by the Secretary to be in the management service.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-404 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–404LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by law, the following positions in the Executive Branch of State government are in the executive service:
(1)
the chief administrator of a principal unit or a comparable position that is not excluded from the State Personnel Management System under § 6-301 of this title as a constitutional or elected office; and
(2)
a deputy secretary or assistant secretary of a principal unit or a position that the Secretary determines has similar stature.
(b)
The executive service includes any other position that is determined by the Secretary to be in the executive service.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-405 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–405LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Except as otherwise provided by law, individuals in the following positions in the skilled service and professional service are considered special appointments:
(1)
a position to which an individual is directly appointed by the Governor by an appointment that is not provided for by the Maryland Constitution;
(2)
a position to which an individual is directly appointed by the Board of Public Works;
(3)
as determined by the Secretary, a position which performs a significant policy role or provides direct support to a member of the executive service;
(4)
a position that is assigned to the Government House;
(5)
a position that is assigned to the Governor’s Office; and
(6)
any other position that is specified by law to be a special appointment.
(b)
Except as provided under § 6–105(a) of the State Government Article, a position that is a special appointment may be filled with regard to political affiliation, belief, or opinion if the Secretary determines that the position:
(1)
relates to political interests or concerns so as to warrant that political affiliation be a requirement for the position; and
(2)
(i)
requires the provision of meaningful direct or indirect input into the policy–making process; or
(ii)
provides access to confidential information and:
(1)
requires substantial intervention or collaboration in the formulation of public policy; or
(2)
requires the provision of direct advice or the rendering of direct services to an appointing authority.
Md. Code Ann., State Pers. & Pens. § 6-406 (2026)
Title 6. State Personnel Management System Generally
Subtitle 4. Employment Categories in the State Personnel Management System
§ 6–406LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
A contractual employee is a temporary employee whose employment is governed by Title 13 of this article.
(2)
An emergency employee is a temporary employee who is appointed under § 7-301 of this article.
(b)
A temporary employee:
(1)
is not included in the skilled service, professional service, management service, or executive service; and
(2)
is not a special appointment described in § 6-405 of this subtitle.