§36-26-27. Dismissals and disciplining of employees generally.

(a) An appointing authority may dismiss a classified employee whenever he considers the good of the service will be served thereby, for reasons which shall be stated in writing, served on the affected employee and a copy furnished to the director, which action shall become a public record. The dismissed employee may, within 10 days after notice, appeal from the action of the appointing authority by filing with the board and the appointing authority a written answer to the charges. The board shall, if demand is made in writing by the dismissed employee within 10 days after notice of discharge, order a public hearing and, if the charges are proved unwarranted, order the reinstatement of the employee under such conditions as the board may determine. Upon a majority vote of the board, the board may impose a punishment other than termination including but not limited to a reinstatement with forfeiture of back wages and benefits between the date of termination and the date of the board's order reinstating the employee, or a suspension up to and including 30 days.

(b) In addition to removal by an appointing authority, persons in the classified service may be removed or disciplined in the manner described in this subsection. Charges may be filed by any officer, citizen or taxpayer of the state with the director who shall, within five days, cause a copy to be served upon the person complained against and shall set a day not less than 10 nor more than 20 days after such charges have been served on such employee for a public hearing of such charges. This hearing may be before the director, a special agent appointed for the purpose by the director or the board itself. If before the director or a special agent, the director or special agent shall take testimony offered in support and denial of such charges and from the same submit to the board, within five days, a finding of facts and law involved and a recommended decision. The board at its next regular or special meeting shall consider said report and modify, alter, set aside or affirm said report and certify its findings to the appointing authority who shall forthwith put the same into effect. If the board hears said charges directly or requires the transcribing and submission of the testimony taken before the director or special agent, it shall make up and file its own findings and decision. The decision of the board based upon its records and the testimony shall be final.

(c) In proceedings under this section it shall be no defense or excuse for a forbidden act or for an omission to observe the laws or rules that such act or omission was directed by a superior, unless a written direction or order from such superior to that effect is proved. If any employee in the state service shall willfully refuse or fail to appear before any court or judge, any legislative committee or any officer, board or body authorized to conduct any hearing or inquiry or, having appeared, shall refuse to testify or answer any question relating to the affairs or government of the state or the conduct of any state officer or employee on the ground that his testimony or answers would tend to incriminate him or shall refuse to waive immunity from prosecution on account of any matter about which he may be asked to testify at any such hearing or inquiry, such conduct shall be cause for removal.

(Acts 1939, No. 58, p. 68, §24; Code 1940, T. 55, §315; Acts 1983, No. 83-673, p. 1060, §1.)