Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
State Government & Tribal Relations Committee
HB 2062
Brief Description: Concerning exemption of certain personnel of the department of social and health services from civil service.
Sponsors: Representatives Schmidt, Ramos and Cheney; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Revises the positions within the Department of Social and Health Services that are exempt from the State Civil Service Law
Hearing Date: 1/17/24
Staff: Connor Schiff (786-7093).
Background:

The State Civil Service Law governs the appointment, promotion, transfer, layoff, removal, discipline, and welfare of most state agency employees.  The State Civil Service Law applies to most state agency employees, unless expressly excluded.  For example, the State Civil Service Law does not apply to the legislative branch, the judiciary, academic personnel, state patrol officers, the chief executive officers of each agency, and certain other management staff.

 

In addition, a number of exempt positions are expressly designated for various state agencies.  The following Department of Social and Health Services positions are exempt: 

  • Secretary;
  • secretary's executive assistant;
  • a maximum of six assistant secretaries, 13 division directors, and six regional directors, and one confidential secretary for each of these positions;
  • a maximum of six bureau chiefs; and
  • superintendents of institutions that have an average daily population of 100 or more residents. 
Summary of Bill:

The following Department of Social and Health Services positions are exempt from the State Civil Service Law: 

  • Secretary; 
  • secretary's executive assistant; 
  • chief of staff and deputy chief of staff; 
  • assistant and deputy assistant secretaries; 
  • senior directors;
  • division directors;
  • assistant and deputy division directors;
  • regional administrators;
  • district managers;
  • executive officers and superintendents of institutions; and
  • executive assistants supporting the above officers. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.