§12-5A-7. Juvenile probation officers - Allocation by population.

On or after October 1, 1999, the allocation of positions or salary subsidies in juvenile probation services shall be as follows:

(1) In counties having a population of more than 99,000 according to the 1990 federal decennial census, the Administrative Office of Courts shall provide salary subsidies for juvenile probation officers on the basis of one salary subsidy per 15,000 population or fraction thereof. Provided, however, if legislation is enacted to provide additional salary subsidies for additional juvenile probation officers, the salary subsidy ratio as provided herein shall be adjusted accordingly. The Administrative Office of Courts shall expend funds to provide a salary subsidy in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 12-5A-5. This subsidy shall be paid to the counties only for juvenile probation officers authorized and employed. Employment for purposes of this subsection includes temporary vacancies of 30 days or less. Salary rates and ranges for juvenile probation officers in these counties shall be established by county personnel boards, county commissions, or any other local entity, but shall reflect a minimum salary of twenty-two thousand dollars ($22,000). Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any juvenile probation officer from being covered by the provisions of any local act establishing a local merit system or personnel board in counties having a population of more than 99,000 according to the 1990 federal decennial census.

(2) The juvenile court in counties having a population of more than 99,000 according to the 1990 federal decennial census may appoint one or more juvenile probation officers, as authorized by law and certified by the Administrative Office of Courts, who shall serve at the pleasure of the court. If more than one juvenile probation officer is appointed, one may be designated by the court as the chief probation officer or director of juvenile probation services. The chief probation officer or director of juvenile probation services shall be responsible for the administration of juvenile probation services under the direction of the court.

(3) In counties having a population of 99,000 or less according to the 1990 federal decennial census, the Administrative Director of Courts shall consult with each juvenile court judge and the presiding circuit court judge to determine the need for juvenile probation officers and other staff to support the juvenile probation services within that county. The Administrative Director of Courts shall develop a statewide assessment for juvenile probation services and criteria for allocating juvenile probation officers and other staff in counties having a population of 99,000 or less according to the 1990 federal decennial census. Based upon the statewide allocation criteria, juvenile probation officer and support staff positions shall be allocated to each county by the Administrative Director of Courts. After the effective date for the transition of a county, the presiding juvenile court judge may appoint juvenile probation officers and other support staff to positions approved by the Administrative Director of Courts based upon the allocation criteria for the proper functioning of the juvenile court within the county and subject to funding available at the time of the appointment. The implementation of an allocation formula based upon the statewide assessment and the criteria for allocation shall not affect those persons serving as juvenile probation officers or juvenile probation staff on the effective date of this chapter.

(Act 98-392, p. 782, §8.)