110.1127 Employee background screening and investigations.
110.1128 Selective service registration.
110.113 Pay periods for state officers and employees; salary payments by direct deposit.
110.114 Employee wage deductions.
110.115 Employees of historical commissions; other state employment permitted.
110.1155 Travel to or conducting business with a country in the Western Hemisphere lacking diplomatic relations with the United States.
110.1156 Export of goods, commodities, and things of value to foreign countries that support international terrorism; prohibited documentation.
110.116 Personnel information system; payroll procedures.
110.1165 Executive branch personnel errors; limitation of actions for compensation.
110.117 Paid holidays.
110.118 Administrative leave for certain athletic competition.
110.119 Administrative leave for military-service-connected disability.
110.120 Administrative leave for disaster service volunteers.
110.121 Sick leave pool.
110.122 Terminal payment for accumulated sick leave.
110.1221 Sexual harassment policy; executive agency rules.
110.1225 Furloughs.
110.1227 Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan Act.
110.1228 Participation by small counties, small municipalities, and district school boards located in small counties.
110.123 State group insurance program.
110.12301 Competitive procurement of postpayment claims review services and dependent eligibility verification services; public records exemption.
110.12302 Costing options for plan designs required for contract solicitation.
110.12303 State group insurance program; additional benefits; price transparency program; reporting.
110.12304 Independent benefits consultant.
110.12306 Anti-fraud investigative units.
110.12312 Open enrollment period for retirees.
110.12313 Enrollment for eligible former employees.
110.12315 Prescription drug program.
110.1232 Health insurance coverage for persons retired under state-administered retirement systems before January 1, 1976, and for spouses.
110.1234 Health insurance for retirees under the Florida Retirement System; Medicare supplement and fully insured coverage.
110.1238 State group health insurance plans; refunds with respect to overcharges by providers.
110.1239 State group health insurance program funding.
110.124 Termination or transfer of employees aged 65 or older.
110.1245 Savings sharing program; bonus payments; other awards.
110.125 Administrative costs.
110.126 Oaths, testimony, records; penalties.
110.127 Penalties.
110.129 Services to political subdivisions.
110.131 Other-personal-services employment.
110.1315 Alternative retirement benefits; other-personal-services employees.
110.151 State officers’ and employees’ child care services.
110.1521 Short title.
110.1522 Model rule establishing family support personnel policies.
110.1523 Adoption of model rule.
110.161 State employees; pretax benefits program.
110.171 State employee telework program.
110.182 Solicitation of state employees prohibited.
110.191 State employee leasing.
110.105 Employment policy of the state.—
(1) It is the purpose of this chapter to establish a system of personnel management. This system shall provide means to recruit, select, train, develop, and maintain an effective and responsible workforce and shall include policies and procedures for employee hiring and advancement, training and career development, position classification, salary administration, benefits, discipline, discharge, employee performance evaluations, affirmative action, and other related activities.
(2) It is the policy of the state:
(a) That all appointments, terminations, assignments, and maintenance of status, compensation, privileges, and other terms and conditions of employment in state government shall be made without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, or disability, unless a specific requirement constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification.
(b) To support employees in balancing their personal needs and work responsibilities. This policy is designed to enhance the employee’s ability to blend the competing demands of work and personal life and produce a more skilled, accountable, and committed workforce for the system. Provisions may include, but need not be limited to, flexible work schedules, telework, part-time employment, and leaves of absence with or without pay.
(3) Except as expressly provided by law, Florida residency is not required for any person as a condition precedent to employment; however, preference in hiring may be given to state residents.
(4) This chapter contains the requirements for establishing and maintaining a system of personnel management on a merit basis. The system of personnel management shall be implemented so as to ensure that the state agencies participating in the system are eligible for federal funds.
(5) This chapter may not be construed either to infringe upon or to supersede the rights guaranteed public employees under chapter 447.
110.1055 Rules and rulemaking authority.—The Department of Management Services shall have authority to adopt rules as necessary to effectuate the provisions of this chapter.
110.107 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) “Authorized position” means a position included in an approved budget. In counting the number of authorized positions, part-time positions may be converted to full-time equivalents.
(2) “Broadband level” means all positions that are sufficiently similar in knowledge, skills, and abilities; the kind or subject matter of work; the level of difficulty or the level of responsibilities; and the qualification requirements of the work so as to warrant the same treatment with respect to title, pay band, and other personnel transactions.
(3) “Classification plan” means a formal description of the concepts, rules, job family definitions, occupational group characteristics, and occupational profiles used in the classification of positions.
(4) “Demotion” means the changing of the classification of an employee to a broadband level having a lower maximum salary; or the changing of the classification of an employee to a broadband level having the same or a higher maximum salary but a lower level of responsibility.
(5) “Department” means the Department of Management Services.
(6) “Dismissal” means a disciplinary action taken by an agency pursuant to s. 110.227 against an employee which results in the termination of his or her employment.
(7) “Employing agency” means any agency authorized to employ personnel to carry out the responsibilities of the agency under the provisions of chapter 20 or other law.
(8) “Established position” means an authorized position that has been classified in accordance with a classification and pay plan as provided by law.
(9) “Firefighter” means a firefighter certified under chapter 633.
(10) “Full-time position” means a position authorized for the entire normally established work period, whether daily, weekly, monthly, or annually.
(11) “Furlough” means a temporary reduction in the regular hours of employment in a pay period, or temporary leave without pay for one or more pay periods, with a commensurate reduction in pay, which is necessitated by a projected deficit in any fund that supports salary and benefit appropriations. The deficit must be projected by the Revenue Estimating Conference pursuant to s. 216.136(3).
(12) “Individual who has a disability” means a person who has a physical or intellectual impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
(13) “Job family” means a defined grouping of one or more occupational groups.
(14) “Law enforcement or correctional officer” means a law enforcement officer, special agent, correctional officer, correctional probation officer, or institutional security specialist certified under chapter 943.
(15) “Layoff” means termination of employment due to a shortage of funds or work, or a material change in the duties or organization of an agency, including the outsourcing or privatization of an activity or function previously performed by career service employees.
(16) “Occupation” means all positions that are sufficiently similar in knowledge, skills, abilities, and the kind or subject matter of work.
(17) “Occupational group” means a group of occupations that are sufficiently similar in the kind of work performed to warrant the use of the same performance factors in determining the level of complexity for all occupations in that occupational group.
(18) “Part-time position” means a position authorized for less than the entire normally established work period, whether daily, weekly, monthly, or annually.
(19) “Pay band” means the minimum salary, the maximum salary, and intermediate rates that are payable for work in a specific broadband level.
(20) “Pay plan” means a formal description of the philosophy, methods, procedures, and salary schedules for competitively compensating employees at market-based rates for work performed.
(21) “Position” means the work, consisting of duties and responsibilities, assigned to be performed by an officer or employee.
(22) “Position number” means the identification number assigned to an established position.
(23) “Professional health care provider” means registered nurses, physician assistants, dentists, psychologists, nutritionists or dietitians, pharmacists, psychological specialists, physical therapists, and speech and hearing therapists.
(24) “Promotion” means the changing of the classification of an employee to a broadband level having a higher maximum salary; or the changing of the classification of an employee to a broadband level having the same or a lower maximum salary but a higher level of responsibility.
(25) “Reassignment” means moving an employee from a position in one broadband level to a different position in the same broadband level or to a different broadband level having the same maximum salary.
(26) “Reclassification” means the changing of an established position in one broadband level in an occupational group to a higher or lower broadband level in the same occupational group or to a broadband level in a different occupational group.
(27) “Salary schedule” means an official document that contains a complete list of occupation titles, broadband level codes, and pay bands.
(28) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Management Services.
(29) “Shared employment” means part-time career employment in which the duties and responsibilities of a full-time position in the career service are divided among part-time employees who are eligible for the position and who receive career service benefits and wages pro rata. The term does not include the employment of persons paid from other-personal-services funds.
(30) “State agency” or “agency” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of the executive branch or the judicial branch of state government as defined in chapter 216.
(31) “Suspension” means a disciplinary action taken by an agency pursuant to s. 110.227 against an employee which temporarily relieves the employee of his or her duties and places him or her on leave without pay.
(32) “Transfer” means moving an employee from one geographic location of the state to a different geographic location more than 50 miles from the employee’s current work location.
110.1082 Telephone voice mail systems and telephone menu options systems.—
(1) No state employee shall utilize a voice mail system when the employee is at his or her regularly assigned work station where his or her telephone is functional and available for use, unless:
(a) The device is in use, and/or;
(b) Such voice mail system alerts the caller to, and provides the caller with access to a nonelectronic attendant; or
(c) Such voice mail system automatically transfers the caller to a nonelectronic attendant.
(2) Telephone menu options systems used by state agencies, departments, or other state government units will alert the caller to, and provide the caller with access to, a nonelectronic attendant.
(3) Agency heads will ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.
110.1091 Employee assistance programs; public records exemption.—
(1) An employing state agency may provide a counseling, therapeutic, or other professional treatment program to assist any state employee who has a behavioral disorder, medical disorder, or substance abuse problem or who has an emotional difficulty that affects the employee’s job performance. Each employing state agency may designate community diagnostic and referral resources as necessary to implement the provisions of this subsection.
(2) A state employee’s personal identifying information contained in records held by an employing state agency relating to an employee’s participation in an employee assistance program is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
110.1099 Education and training opportunities for state employees.—
(1) Education and training are an integral component in improving the delivery of services to the public. Recognizing that the application of productivity-enhancing technology and practice demands continuous educational and training opportunities, a state employee may be authorized to receive a voucher or grant, for matriculation fees, to attend work-related courses at public community colleges, public career centers, or public universities. The department may implement the provisions of this section from funds appropriated to the department for this purpose. In the event insufficient funds are appropriated to the department, each state agency may supplement these funds to support the training and education needs of its employees from funds appropriated to the agency.
(2) The department, in conjunction with the agencies, shall request that public universities provide evening and weekend programs for state employees. When evening and weekend training and educational programs are not available, an employee may be authorized to take paid time off during his or her regular working hours for training and career development, as provided in s. 110.105(1), if such training benefits the employer as determined by that employee’s agency head.
(3) An employee who exhibits superior aptitude and performance may be authorized by that employee’s agency head to take a paid educational leave of absence for up to 1 academic year at a time, for specific approved work-related education and training. That employee must enter into a contract to return to state employment for a period of time equal to the length of the leave of absence or refund salary and benefits paid during his or her educational leave of absence.
(4) As a precondition to approving an employee’s training request, an agency or the judicial branch may require an employee to enter into an agreement that requires the employee to reimburse the agency or judicial branch for the registration fee or similar expense for any training or training series when the cost of the fee or similar expense exceeds $1,000 if the employee voluntarily terminates employment or is discharged for cause from the agency or judicial branch within a specified period of time not to exceed 4 years after the conclusion of the training. This subsection does not apply to any training program that an agency or the judicial branch requires an employee to attend. An agency or the judicial branch may pay the outstanding balance then due and owing on behalf of a state employee under this subsection in connection with recruitment and hiring of such state employee.
(1) It is the policy of this state to assist in providing the assurance of equal employment opportunity through programs of affirmative and positive action that will allow full utilization of women, minorities, and individuals who have a disability.
(2)(a) The head of each executive agency shall develop and implement an affirmative action plan in accordance with rules adopted by the department and approved by a majority vote of the Administration Commission before their adoption.
(b) Each executive agency shall establish annual goals for ensuring full utilization of groups underrepresented in the agency’s workforce, including women, minorities, and individuals who have a disability, as compared to the relevant labor market, as defined by the agency. Each executive agency shall design its affirmative action plan to meet its established goals.
(c) Each executive agency shall annually report to the department regarding the agency’s progress toward increasing employment among women, minorities, and individuals who have a disability.
(d) An affirmative action-equal employment opportunity officer shall be appointed by the head of each executive agency. The affirmative action-equal employment opportunity officer’s responsibilities must include determining annual goals, monitoring agency compliance, and providing consultation to managers regarding progress, deficiencies, and appropriate corrective action.
(e) The department shall report information in its annual workforce report relating to the implementation, continuance, updating, and results of each executive agency’s affirmative action plan for the previous fiscal year. The annual workforce report must also include data for each executive agency relating to employment levels among women, minorities, and individuals who have a disability.
(f) The department shall provide to all supervisory personnel of the executive agencies training in the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, the development and implementation of affirmative action plans, and the establishment of annual affirmative action goals. The department may contract for training services, and each participating agency shall reimburse the department for costs incurred through such contract. After the department approves the contents of the training program for the agencies, the department may delegate this training to the executive agencies.
(3)(a) The department, in consultation with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education, the Department of Commerce, and the Executive Office of the Governor, shall develop and implement programs that incorporate internships, mentoring, on-the-job training, unpaid work experience, situational assessments, and other innovative strategies that are specifically geared toward individuals who have a disability.
(b) By January 1, 2017, the department shall develop mandatory training programs for human resources personnel and hiring managers of executive agencies which support the employment of individuals who have a disability.
(c)1. By January 1, 2017, each executive agency shall develop an agency-specific plan that addresses how to promote employment opportunities for individuals who have a disability.
2. The department shall assist executive agencies in the implementation of agency-specific plans. The department shall regularly report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the progress of executive agencies in implementing these plans. Such reports shall be made at least biannually.
(d) The department shall compile data regarding the hiring practices of executive agencies with regard to individuals who have a disability and make such data available on its website.
(e) The department shall assist executive agencies in identifying and implementing strategies for retaining employees who have a disability which include, but are not limited to, training programs, funding reasonable accommodations, increasing access to appropriate technologies, and ensuring accessibility of physical and virtual workplaces.
(f) The department shall adopt rules relating to forms that provide for the voluntary self-identification of individuals who have a disability and are employed by an executive agency.
(g) This subsection does not create any substantive or procedural right or benefit enforceable at law or in equity against the state or a state agency, or an officer, employee, or agent thereof.
(4) Each state attorney and public defender shall:
(a) Develop and implement an affirmative action plan.
(b) Establish annual goals for ensuring full utilization of groups underrepresented in its workforce as compared to the relevant labor market in this state. The state attorneys’ and public defenders’ affirmative action plans must be designed to meet the established goals.
(c) Appoint an affirmative action-equal employment opportunity officer.
(5) The state, its agencies and officers shall ensure freedom from discrimination in employment as provided by the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, by s. 112.044, and by this chapter.
(6) Any individual claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful employment practice may file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations as provided by s. 760.11.
(7) The department shall review and monitor executive agency actions in carrying out the rules adopted by the department pursuant to this section.
110.1127 Employee background screening and investigations.—
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), each agency shall designate those positions that, based on the position duties, require background screening. All persons and employees in such positions must undergo employment screening in accordance with chapter 435, using level 1 screening standards, as a condition of employment and continued employment.
(2)(a) Each agency shall designate those positions that, because of the special trust or responsibility or sensitive location, require security background investigations. All persons and employees in such positions must undergo employment screening in accordance with chapter 435, using level 2 screening standards, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment and continued employment.
(b) All positions within the Division of Treasury of the Department of Financial Services are deemed to be positions of special trust or responsibility. Individuals seeking or holding such positions may be disqualified for employment by reason of:
1. The conviction or prior conviction of a crime that is reasonably related to the nature of the position sought or held by the individual; or
2. The entering of a plea of nolo contendere, or when a jury verdict of guilty is rendered but adjudication of guilt is withheld, with respect to a crime that is reasonably related to the nature of the position sought or held by the individual.
(c)1. All positions in programs providing care to children, the developmentally disabled, or vulnerable adults for 15 hours or more per week; all permanent and temporary employee positions of the central abuse hotline; and all persons working under contract who have access to abuse records are deemed to be persons and positions of special trust or responsibility.
2. The agency may grant exemptions from disqualification from working with children, the developmentally disabled, or vulnerable adults as provided in s. 435.07.
(d) It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person willfully, knowingly, or intentionally to:
1. Fail, by false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or other fraudulent means, to disclose in any application for voluntary or paid employment a material fact used in making a determination as to such person’s qualifications for a position of special trust;
2. Use information contained in records for purposes other than background screening or investigation for employment, or release such information to other persons for purposes other than preemployment screening or investigation.
(e) It is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, for any person willfully, knowingly, or intentionally to use juvenile records information for any purposes other than those specified in this section or to release such information to other persons for purposes other than those specified in this section.
(3) Any person who is required to undergo such a security background screening or investigation and who refuses to cooperate in such screening or investigation or refuses to submit fingerprints shall be disqualified for employment in such position or, if employed, shall be dismissed.
(4) Background screening and investigations shall be conducted at the expense of the employing agency. If fingerprinting is required, the fingerprints shall be taken by the employing agency, a law enforcement agency, or a vendor as authorized pursuant to s. 435.04, submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing, and forwarded by the Department of Law Enforcement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing. The agency or vendor shall remit the processing fees required by s. 943.053 to the Department of Law Enforcement.
(1) No person who is required to register with the Selective Service System under the Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 453, may be offered employment by this state in an authorized position, as defined in s. 216.011, without proof of such registration.
(2) No person who has failed to register as required by the Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 453, subsequent to October 1, 1988, and who is currently employed by this state may be promoted to a higher authorized position without proof of such registration.
(3) Each agency shall provide for a review, when requested by the applicant or employee, of any denial of employment or promotion for reasons of noncompliance with selective service registration requirements.
110.113 Pay periods for state officers and employees; salary payments by direct deposit.—
(1) The normal pay period for salaries of state officers and employees shall be 1 month. The Department of Financial Services shall issue either monthly or biweekly salary payments by state warrants or by direct deposit pursuant to s. 17.076 or make semimonthly salary payments by direct deposit pursuant to s. 17.076, as requested by the head of each state agency and approved by the Executive Office of the Governor and the Department of Financial Services.
(2) As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in state government is required to participate in the direct deposit program pursuant to s. 17.076. An employee may request an exemption from the provisions of this subsection when such employee can demonstrate a hardship or when such employee is in an other-personal-services position.
(1) The state or any of its departments, bureaus, commissions, and officers are authorized and permitted, with the concurrence of the Department of Financial Services, to make deductions from the salary or wage of any employee or employees in such amount as shall be authorized and requested by such employee or employees and for such purpose as shall be authorized and requested by such employee or employees and shall pay such sums so deducted as directed by such employee or employees. The concurrence of the Department of Financial Services shall not be required for the deduction of a certified bargaining agent’s membership dues deductions pursuant to s. 447.303 or any deductions authorized by a collective bargaining agreement.
(2) The approval of and making of approved deductions shall not require the approval or making of other requested deductions.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), the deduction of an employee’s membership dues deductions as defined in s. 447.203(15) for an employee organization as defined in s. 447.203(11) shall be authorized or permitted only for an organization that has been certified as the exclusive bargaining agent pursuant to chapter 447 for a unit of state employees in which the employee is included. Such deductions shall be subject to the provisions of s. 447.303.
(4) Records of employee requests and employer authorizations for deductions from an employee’s wage or salary, or the legal authority for the deduction, shall be maintained by each employing entity.
110.115 Employees of historical commissions; other state employment permitted.—
(1) Staff members or employees of state historical commissions are hereby permitted or authorized to teach courses and hold part-time positions at state universities and be paid compensation from more than one appropriation if such teaching or employment does not interfere with the normal duties of such commission staff members or employees. Any agreement or contract relative to such employment must have the approval of the historical commission and the president of the university.
(2) Any provision of law which prohibits the payment of salaries or compensation from more than one appropriation shall not apply to the provisions of this section.
110.1155 Travel to or conducting business with a country in the Western Hemisphere lacking diplomatic relations with the United States.—
(1) An officer, employee, agent, or representative of:
(a) A state agency;
(b) A political subdivision of the state; or
(c) A corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that does business or contracts with a state agency, receives state funds, or claims a credit against any tax imposed by the state
may not travel to or do business with any country located in the Western Hemisphere which lacks diplomatic relations with the United States.
(2) A political subdivision that violates this section is ineligible to receive state funds.
(3) A corporation, partnership, association, or other entity that violates this section is ineligible to:
(a) Engage in business or contract with a state agency;
(b) Receive state funds; or
(c) Claim a credit against any tax imposed by the state.
110.1156 Export of goods, commodities, and things of value to foreign countries that support international terrorism; prohibited documentation.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “state agency” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of the executive branch of state government.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a state agency may not issue a certificate of free sale, export certification report, certificate of good manufacturing practices, permit, registration, license, or certification of any kind for any good, commodity, or thing of value to be exported to a foreign country if the United States Secretary of State, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. App. s. 2405(j), 22 U.S.C. s. 2371(a), or 22 U.S.C. s. 2780(d), determines that the government of that country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
1110.116 Personnel information system; payroll procedures.—
(1) The Department of Management Services shall establish and maintain, in coordination with the payroll system of the Department of Financial Services, a complete personnel information system for all authorized and established positions in the state service, with the exception of employees of the Legislature, unless the Legislature chooses to participate. The department may contract with a vendor to provide the personnel information system. The specifications shall be developed in conjunction with the payroll system of the Department of Financial Services and in coordination with the Auditor General. The Department of Financial Services shall determine that the position occupied by each employee has been authorized and established in accordance with the provisions of s. 216.251. The Department of Management Services shall develop and maintain a position numbering system that will identify each established position, and such information shall be a part of the payroll system of the Department of Financial Services. With the exception of employees of the Legislature, unless the Legislature chooses to participate, this system shall include all career service positions and those positions exempted from career service provisions, notwithstanding the funding source of the salary payments, and information regarding persons receiving payments from other sources. Necessary revisions shall be made in the personnel and payroll procedures of the state to avoid duplication insofar as is feasible. A list shall be organized by budget entity to show the employees or vacant positions within each budget entity. This list shall be available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate upon request.
(2) In recognition of the critical nature of the statewide personnel and payroll system commonly known as People First, the Legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the state to continue partnering with the current People First third-party operator. The People First System annually processes 500,000 employment applications, 455,000 personnel actions, and the state’s $9.5-billion payroll. The Legislature finds that the continuity of operations of the People First System and the critical functions it provides such as payroll, employee health insurance benefit records, and other critical services must not be interrupted. Presently, the Chief Financial Officer is undertaking the development of a new statewide accounting and financial management system, commonly known as the Planning, Accounting, and Ledger Management (PALM) system, scheduled to be operational in the year 2026. The procurement and implementation of an entire replacement of the People First System will impede the timeframe needed to successfully integrate the state’s payroll system with the PALM system. In order to maintain continuity of operations and to ensure the successful completion of the PALM system, the Legislature directs that:
(a) The department, pursuant to s. 287.057(11), shall enter into a 3-year contract extension with the entity operating the People First System on January 1, 2024. The contract extension must:
1. Provide for the integration of the current People First System with PALM.
2. Exclude major functionality updates or changes to the People First System prior to completion of the PALM system. This does not include:
a. Routine system maintenance such as code updates following open enrollment; or
b. The technical remediation necessary to integrate the system with PALM within the PALM project’s planned implementation schedule.
3. Include project planning and analysis deliverables necessary to:
a. Detail and document the state’s functional requirements.
b. Estimate the cost of transitioning the current People First System to a cloud computing infrastructure within the contract extension and after the successful integration with PALM. The project cost evaluation shall estimate the annual cost and capacity growth required to host the system in a cloud environment.
The department shall develop these system specifications in conjunction with the Department of Financial Services and the Auditor General.
4. Include technical support for state agencies that may need assistance in remediating or integrating current financial shadow systems with People First in order to integrate with PALM or the cloud version of People First.
5. Include organizational change management and training deliverables needed to support the implementation of PALM payroll functionality and the People First System cloud upgrade. Responsibilities of the operator and the department shall be outlined in a project role and responsibility assignment chart within the contract.
6. Include an option to renew the contract for one additional year.
(b) The department shall submit, no later than June 30, 2026, its project planning and detailed cost estimate to upgrade the current People First System to the chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the chair of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, and the Executive Office of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, for preliminary review and consideration of funding the department’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 legislative budget request to update the system.
1Note.—Section 59, ch. 2024-228, amended s. 110.116 “in order to implement Specific Appropriations 2955 through 2964 of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Appropriations Act, notwithstanding the proviso language for Specific Appropriation 2966 in chapter 2023-239, Laws of Florida.”
110.1165 Executive branch personnel errors; limitation of actions for compensation.—
(1) An agency of the executive branch, including the State University System, shall establish procedures for the receipt, consideration, and disposition of a claim regarding pay or benefits brought by an employee when that employee is damaged as a result of being provided with erroneous written information by the employing agency regarding his or her pay or benefits, and the employee detrimentally relies upon such written information. In order to qualify for the relief provided by this section, the employee’s reliance on the representation must have been reasonable and based only upon the written representations made by those persons authorized by the agency head to make such representations. Furthermore, the erroneous calculation and payment of an employee’s salary, wages, or benefits is not among the written representations which will trigger relief under this section.
(2) An agency of the executive branch, including the State University System, is authorized to take such action as may be appropriate to provide a remedy for an employee concerning his or her claim regarding detrimental reliance on erroneous written information provided by the employing agency relating to pay and benefits, provided such remedy is within the purview of the agency’s authority. The agency has no authority whatsoever to modify the state retirement system or the state insurance program. Any monetary remedy afforded by the agency must fall within the agency’s budgetary authority. Any person dissatisfied with the outcome of this process may file either a grievance pursuant to the agency’s internal grievance process or an appeal to the Division of Administrative Hearings pursuant to chapter 120, but not both.
(3) The time limit to file any action to recover compensation, including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, overtime pay, fringe benefits, or damages or penalties relating to errors in such compensation from, by, or on behalf of a state officer or employee is 2 years from the date of the alleged error in payment of such compensation. The time limit applies in all disputes over compensation for work performed by state officers or employees, and is not confined to cases arising under subsections (1) and (2).
(1) The following holidays shall be paid holidays observed by all state branches and agencies:
(a) New Year’s Day.
(b) Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., third Monday in January.
(c) Memorial Day.
(d) Independence Day.
(e) Labor Day.
(f) Veterans’ Day, November 11.
(g) Thanksgiving Day.
(h) Friday after Thanksgiving.
(i) Christmas Day.
If any of these holidays falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a holiday. If any of these holidays falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday.
(2) The Governor may declare, when appropriate, a state day of mourning in observance of the death of a person in recognition of service rendered to the state or nation.
(3) Each full-time employee is entitled to one personal holiday each year. Each part-time employee is entitled to a personal holiday each year which shall be calculated proportionately to the personal holiday allowed to a full-time employee. Such personal holiday shall be credited to eligible employees on July 1 of each year to be taken prior to June 30 of the following year. Members of the teaching and research faculty of the State University System and administrative and professional positions exempted under s. 110.205(2)(d) are not eligible for this benefit.
110.118 Administrative leave for certain athletic competition.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “United States team” includes any group leader, coach, official, or athlete who is a member of the official delegation of the United States to world, Pan American, or Olympic competition.
(2) Any employee of the state who qualifies as a member of the United States team for athletic competition on the world, Pan American, or Olympic level in a sport contested in either Pan American or Olympic competition shall be granted administrative leave without loss of pay or other benefits or rights for the purpose of preparing for and engaging in the competition. In no event shall the paid leave under this section exceed the period of the official training camp and competition combined or 30 calendar days a year, whichever is less.
110.119 Administrative leave for military-service-connected disability.—
(1) An employee who has been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor to have incurred a military-service-connected disability and has been scheduled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be reexamined or treated for the disability shall be granted administrative leave for such reexamination or treatment without loss of pay or benefits. However, such paid leave may not exceed 48 hours per calendar year.
(2) The department may adopt any rule necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.
110.120 Administrative leave for disaster service volunteers.—
(1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Florida Disaster Volunteer Leave Act.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Disaster” means an event that results in a state of emergency, as declared by executive order or proclamation issued by the Governor of this state or any other state or territory of the United States.
(b) “Disaster area” means a location covered under a state of emergency, as declared by executive order or proclamation issued by the Governor of this state or any other state or territory of the United States.
(c) “State agency” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of the executive branch of state government.
(d) “Volunteer” means an individual who has entered into an agreement with a tax-exempt nonprofit organization under s. 501(c)(3) or s. 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide nonpaid services to a disaster area for disaster response or recovery.
(3) LEAVE OF ABSENCE.—An employee of a state agency may be granted a leave of absence with pay for no more than 120 working hours in any 12-month period to serve as a volunteer. Such leave of absence may be granted upon the request of the employee and upon approval of the employee’s employing agency after verifying the employee’s volunteer status. An employee granted leave under this section is not deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of workers’ compensation. Leave under this section may be granted only for providing volunteer services related to a disaster occurring within the boundaries of this state, except that leave may be granted to an employee to provide volunteer services in response to a disaster occurring within the states or territories of the United States upon approval of the head of the employee’s employing agency. An employee who is granted leave under this section must attest to his or her employing agency that he or she has completed his or her volunteer service for a disaster, and must also specify the period of time for which he or she served as a volunteer for that event and a description of the disaster response or recovery services that the employee provided.
110.121 Sick leave pool.—Each department or agency of the state which has authority to adopt rules governing the accumulation and use of sick leave for employees and which maintains accurate and reliable records showing the amount of sick leave which has been accumulated and is unused by employees may, in accordance with guidelines which shall be established by the Department of Management Services, adopt rules for the establishment of a plan allowing participating employees to pool sick leave and allowing any sick leave thus pooled to be used by any participating employee who has used all of the sick leave that has been personally accrued by him or her. Although not limited to the following, such rules shall provide:
(1) That employees shall be eligible for participation in the sick leave pool after 1 year of employment with the state or agency of the state; provided that such employee has accrued a minimum amount of unused sick leave, which minimum shall be established by rule.
(2) That participation in the sick leave pool shall, at all times, be voluntary on the part of the employees.
(3) That any sick leave pooled shall be removed from the personally accumulated sick leave balance of the employee contributing such leave.
(4) That any sick leave in the pool which leave is used by a participating employee shall be used only for the employee’s personal illness, accident, or injury.
(5) That a participating employee shall not be eligible to use sick leave accumulated in the pool until all of his or her personally accrued sick, annual, and compensatory leave has been used.
(6) A maximum number of days of sick leave in the pool which any one employee may use.
(7) That a participating employee who uses sick leave from the pool shall not be required to recontribute such sick leave to the pool, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(8) That an employee who cancels his or her membership in the sick leave pool shall not be eligible to withdraw the days of sick leave contributed by that employee to the pool.
(9) That an employee who transfers from one position in state government to another position in state government may transfer from one pool to another if the eligibility criteria of the pools are comparable or the administrators of the pools have agreed on a formula for transfer of credits.
(10) That alleged abuse of the use of the sick leave pool shall be investigated, and, on a finding of wrongdoing, the employee shall repay all of the sick leave credits drawn from the sick leave pool and shall be subject to such other disciplinary action as is determined by the agency head.
(11) That sick leave credits may be drawn from the sick leave pool by a part-time employee on a pro rata basis.
110.122 Terminal payment for accumulated sick leave.—
(1) All state branches, departments, and agencies which have the authority to establish or approve personnel policies for employees and to employ personnel and establish the conditions of their employment shall establish policies to provide terminal “incentive” pay for accumulated and unused sick leave to each employee upon normal or regular retirement for reason other than disability or upon termination of employment, or to the employee’s beneficiary if service is terminated by death, provided such retirement, termination, or death occurs after 10 years of creditable state employment.
(2) The employing entity shall establish and publish rules governing the accumulation and use of sick leave and maintain accurate and reliable records showing the amount of sick leave which has accumulated and is unused by the employee at the time of retirement, death, or termination.
(3) The payments authorized by this section shall be determined by using the rate of pay received by the employee at the time of retirement, termination, or death, applied to the sick leave time for which the employee is qualified to receive terminal “incentive” pay under the rules adopted by the department pursuant to the provisions of this section. Rules and policies adopted pursuant to this section shall permit terminal pay for sick leave equal to one-eighth of all unused sick leave credit accumulated prior to October 1, 1973, plus one-fourth of all unused sick leave accumulated on or after October 1, 1973. However, terminal pay allowable for unused sick leave accumulated on or after October 1, 1973, shall not exceed a maximum of 480 hours of actual payment. Employees shall be required to use all sick leave accumulated prior to October 1, 1973, before using sick leave accumulated on or after October 1, 1973.
(4) The payments made pursuant to this section shall not be considered in any state-administered retirement system as salary payments and shall not be used in determining the average final compensation of an employee in any state-administered retirement system.
(5) Any employee:
(a) Who is found guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction of committing, aiding, or abetting any embezzlement or theft from the employee’s employer or bribery in connection with the employment, committed prior to retirement or 10-year normal creditable termination;
(b) Whose employment is terminated by reason of the employee having admitted committing, aiding, or abetting an embezzlement or theft from his or her employer or by reason of bribery;
(c) Who, prior to 10-year normal creditable termination or retirement is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated any state law against strikes by public employees; or
(d) Who has been found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction of violating any state law prohibiting strikes by public employees,
shall forfeit all rights and benefits under this section. An employee whose employment terminates as a result of an act committed subject to this subsection shall not be given credit for unused sick leave accumulated prior to termination should the employee be reemployed at a later date.
110.1221 Sexual harassment policy; executive agency rules.—It is the policy of the state that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination. The department shall adopt uniform sexual harassment rules applicable to all executive agencies. The rules must define the term “sexual harassment” in a manner consistent with the federal definition.
110.1225 Furloughs.—When a deficit is certified or projected by the Revenue Estimating Conference pursuant to s. 216.136(3), in any fund that supports salary and benefit appropriations, the Governor or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as appropriate, may propose a furlough plan for consideration by the Legislative Budget Commission. The plan must identify all affected positions and ensure that all affected employees are subject to the same reduction of hours for the same number of pay periods with a commensurate reduction in pay.
110.1227 Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan Act.—
(1) The Legislature finds that state expenditures for long-term-care services continue to increase at a rapid rate and that the state faces increasing pressure in its efforts to meet the long-term-care needs of the public.
(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Management Services and the Department of Elderly Affairs implement a self-funded or fully insured, voluntary, long-term-care plan for public employees and their families and provide an opportunity for public employees and their families to purchase said long-term-care insurance by means of payroll deduction.
(b) The Department of Elderly Affairs and the Department of Management Services shall jointly design the plan to provide long-term-care coverage for public employees, family members of public employees, and retirees. The Department of Management Services and the Department of Elderly Affairs shall enter into an interagency agreement defining their roles with regard to plan development and design. Joint planning expenses shall be shared to the extent that funded planning activities are consistent with the goals of the departments. Eligible plan participants must include active and retired officers and employees of all branches and agencies of state and their spouses, children, stepchildren, parents, and parents-in-law; and, upon the affirmative vote of the governing body of any county or municipality in this state, the active and retired officers and employees of any such county or municipality and their spouses, children, stepchildren, parents, and parents-in-law; and the surviving spouses, children, stepchildren, parents, and parents-in-law of such deceased officers and employees, whether active or retired at the time of death.
(c) This act in no way affects the Department of Management Services’ authority pursuant to s. 110.123.
(d) The Department of Management Services and the Department of Elderly Affairs shall review all self-insured and all fully-insured proposals submitted to it by qualified vendors who have submitted responses prior to February 23, 1999. Upon review of the proposals, the Department of Management Services and the Department of Elderly Affairs may award a contract to the vendor that the departments deem to represent the best value to public employees, family members of public employees, and retirees.
(e) No entity providing actuarial consulting services to the Department of Management Services or the Department of Elderly Affairs in the preparation of the request for proposals, in the evaluation of such proposals, or in the selection of a provider of long-term-care service offerings shall be eligible to provide or contract to provide the entity selected as the provider of long-term-care service offerings in this state with any services related to the Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan.
(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Elderly Affairs.
(b) “Self-funded” means that plan benefits and costs are funded from contributions made by or on behalf of participants and trust fund investment revenue.
(c) “Plan” means the Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan.
(3) The Department of Management Services and the department shall, in consultation with public employers and employees and representatives from unions and associations representing state, university, local government, and other public employees, establish and supervise the implementation and administration of a self-funded or fully insured long-term-care plan entitled “Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan.”
(a) The Department of Management Services and the department shall, in consultation with the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, contract for actuarial, professional-administrator, and other services for the Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan.
(b) When contracting for a professional administrator, the Department of Management Services shall consider, at a minimum, the entity’s previous experience and expertise in administering group long-term-care self-funded plans or long-term-care insurance programs; the entity’s demonstrated ability to perform its contractual obligations in the state and in other jurisdictions; the entity’s projected administrative costs; the entity’s capability to adequately provide service coverage, including a sufficient number of experienced and qualified personnel in the areas of marketing, claims processing, recordkeeping, and underwriting; the entity’s accessibility to public employees and other qualified participants; and the entity’s financial soundness and solvency.
(c) Any contract with a professional administrator entered into by the Department of Management Services must require that the state be held harmless and indemnified for any financial loss caused by the failure of the professional administrator to comply with the terms of the contract.
(d) The Department of Management Services shall explore innovations in long-term-care financing and service delivery with regard to possible future inclusion in the plan. Such innovative financing and service delivery mechanisms may include managed long-term care and plans that set aside assets with regard to eligibility for Medicaid-funded long-term-care services in the same proportion that private long-term-care insurance benefits are used to pay for long-term care.
(4) The Department of Management Services and the department shall coordinate, directly or through contract, marketing of the plan. Expenses related to such marketing shall be reimbursed from funds of the plan.
(5) The Department of Management Services shall contract with the State Board of Administration for the investment of funds in the Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan reserve fund. Plan funds are not state funds. The moneys shall be held by the State Board of Administration on behalf of enrollees and invested and disbursed in accordance with a trust agreement approved by the division and the State Board of Administration and in accordance with the provisions of ss. 215.44-215.53. Moneys in the reserve fund may be used only for the purposes specified in the agreement.
(6) A Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan Board of Directors is created, composed of nine members who shall serve 2-year terms, to be appointed after May 1, 1999, as follows:
(a) The secretary of the Department of Elderly Affairs shall appoint a member who is a plan participant.
(b) The Director of the Office of Insurance Regulation shall appoint an actuary.
(c) The Attorney General shall appoint an attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
(d) The Governor shall appoint three members from a broad cross-section of the residents of this state.
(e) The Department of Management Services shall appoint a member.
(f) The President of the Senate shall appoint a member of the Senate.
(g) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a member of the House of Representatives.
(7) The board of directors of the Florida Long-Term-Care Plan shall:
(a) Upon implementation, prepare an annual report of the plan, with the assistance of an actuarial consultant, to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature.
(b) Approve the appointment of an executive director jointly recommended by the Department of Management Services and the department to serve as the chief administrative and operational officer of the Florida Employee Long-Term-Care Plan.
(c) Approve the terms of the Department of Management Services’ third-party administrator contract.
(d) Implement such other policies and procedures as necessary to assure the soundness and efficient operation of the plan.
(8) Members of the board may not receive a salary, but may be reimbursed for travel, per diem, and administrative expenses related to their duties. Board expenses and costs for the annual report and other administrative expenses must be borne by the plan. State funds may not be contributed toward costs associated with board members or their activities conducted on behalf of and for the benefit of plan beneficiaries.
110.1228 Participation by small counties, small municipalities, and district school boards located in small counties.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “District school board” means a district school board located in a small county or a district school board that receives funding pursuant to s. 1011.62(1)(f).
(b) “Small municipality” means an incorporated municipality that has a population of 12,500 or fewer according to the most recent decennial census.
(c) “Small county” means a county that has a population of 100,000 or fewer according to the most recent decennial census.
(2) The governing body of a small county or small municipality or a district school board may apply for participation in the state group health insurance program authorized in s. 110.123 and the prescription drug coverage program authorized by s. 110.12315 by submitting an application along with a $500 nonrefundable fee to the department.
(3) Any costs or savings to the state group health insurance program or the prescription drug coverage program resulting from such participation shall be passed on to the local government participants and their employees. Such costs or savings shall be delineated based on the impact to the state, state officers and employees, and local government employers and their employees.
(4) As a prerequisite to the adoption of an ordinance or resolution for participation in the state group health insurance program and prescription drug coverage program, a small county, small municipality, or district school board shall issue a request for proposals to provide health insurance and prescription drug coverage. Such request for proposals shall seek coverages equivalent to those offered currently by the small county, small municipality, or district school board and coverages equivalent to the state group health insurance program and prescription drug coverage program. Such request for proposals must provide an opportunity for the receipt of competitive proposals from all interested parties without restriction. The small county, small municipality, and district school board shall review and consider all responsive proposals prior to the adoption of any ordinance or resolution for participation in the state group health insurance program and prescription drug coverage program.
(5) If the department determines that a small county, small municipality, or district school board is eligible to enroll, the small county, small municipality, or district school board must agree to the following terms and conditions:
(a) The minimum enrollment or contractual period will be 3 years.
(b) The small county, small municipality, or district school board must pay to the department an initial administrative fee of not less than $2.61 per enrollee per month, or such other amount established annually to fully reimburse the department for its costs.
(c) Termination of participation of a small county, small municipality, or district school board requires written notice 1 year before the termination date.
(d) If participation is terminated, a small county, small municipality, or district school board may not reapply for participation for a period of 2 years.
(e) Small counties, small municipalities, and district school boards shall reimburse the state for 100 percent of its costs, including administrative costs.
(f) If a small county, small municipality, or district school board employer fails to make the payments required by this section to fully reimburse the state, the Department of Revenue or the Department of Financial Services shall, upon the request of the Department of Management Services, deduct the amount owed by the employer from any funds not pledged to bond debt service satisfaction that are to be distributed by it to the small county, small municipality, or district school board. The amounts so deducted shall be transferred to the Department of Management Services for further distribution to the trust funds in accordance with this chapter.
(g) The small county, small municipality, or district school board shall furnish the department any information requested by the department which the department considers necessary to administer the state group health insurance program and the prescription drug coverage program.
(h) The small county, small municipality, or district school board shall adopt the state’s eligibility rules.
(i) The small county, small municipality, or district school board may not participate in the state’s cafeteria plan that allows for pretax treatment of premium contributions. If pretax treatment is desirable for employees of these participating employers, each employee of a participating employer shall execute a salary reduction agreement with that employer, and each participating employer shall establish its own cafeteria plan.
(j) The small county, small municipality, or district school board shall pay monthly premiums in amounts sufficient to cover claims costs, department administrative costs, and third-party administrative costs and provide for adequate reserves and cash flow by contributing 3 months’ premiums and costs in advance of the coverage effective date.
(6) The provisions of ss. 624.436-624.446 do not apply to the State Group Insurance Program or to this section.
(1) TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “State Group Insurance Program Law.”
(2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in ss. 110.123-110.1239, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Management Services.
(b) “Eligible former employee” means a former state officer or employee who was enrolled in the state group insurance program for at least 6 cumulative years with an employer or employers participating in the state group insurance program, and who was enrolled in the state group insurance program at the time of his or her separation from employment and whose separation from employment occurred on or after July 1, 2022.
(c) “Enrollee” means all state officers and employees, retired state officers and employees, surviving spouses of deceased state officers and employees, eligible former employees, and terminated employees or individuals with continuation coverage who are enrolled in an insurance plan offered by the state group insurance program. The term includes all state university officers and employees, retired state university officers and employees, surviving spouses of deceased state university officers and employees, and terminated state university employees or individuals with continuation coverage who are enrolled in an insurance plan offered by the state group insurance program. The term includes all Florida College System institution officers and employees, retired Florida College System institution officers and employees, surviving spouses of deceased Florida College System institution officers and employees, and terminated Florida College System institution employees or individuals with continuation coverage who are enrolled in an insurance plan offered by the state group insurance program. As used in this paragraph, state employees and retired state employees also include employees and retired employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation.
(d) “Enrollee cost-sharing liability” means the amount an enrollee or beneficiary is responsible for paying for a covered item or service under the terms of the state group insurance program. The term “enrollee cost-sharing liability” includes deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, but does not include premiums.
(e) “Full-time state employees” means employees of all branches or agencies of state government holding salaried positions who are paid by state warrant or from agency funds and who work or are expected to work an average of at least 30 hours per week; employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation who work or are expected to work an average of at least 30 hours per week; employees paid from regular salary appropriations for 8 months’ employment, including university and college personnel on academic contracts; and employees paid from other-personal-services (OPS) funds as described in subparagraphs 1. and 2. The term includes all full-time employees of the state universities and Florida College System institutions. The term does not include seasonal workers who are paid from OPS funds.
1. For persons hired before April 1, 2013, the term includes any person paid from OPS funds who:
a. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per week during the initial measurement period from April 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013; or
b. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per week during a subsequent measurement period.
2. For persons hired after April 1, 2013, the term includes any person paid from OPS funds who:
a. Is reasonably expected to work an average of at least 30 hours or more per week; or
b. Has worked an average of at least 30 hours or more per week during the person’s measurement period.
(f) “Health maintenance organization” or “HMO” means an entity certified under part I of chapter 641.
(g) “Health plan member” means any person participating in a state group health insurance plan, a TRICARE supplemental insurance plan, or a health maintenance organization plan under the state group insurance program, including enrollees and covered dependents thereof.
(h) “Part-time state employee” means an employee of any branch or agency of state government paid by state warrant from salary appropriations or from agency funds, or an employee of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation, who is employed for less than an average of 30 hours per week or, if on academic contract or seasonal or other type of employment which is less than year-round, is employed for less than 8 months during any 12-month period, but does not include a person paid from other-personal-services (OPS) funds. The term includes all part-time employees of the state universities and Florida College System institutions.
(i) “Plan year” means a calendar year.
(j) “Retired state officer or employee” or “retiree” means any state, state university, or Florida College System institution officer or employee, or, beginning with the 2023 plan year, an employee of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation, who retires under a state retirement system or a state optional annuity or retirement program or is placed on disability retirement, and who was insured under the state group insurance program or the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program at the time of retirement, and who begins receiving retirement benefits immediately after retirement from state, state university, or Florida College System institution office or employment. The term also includes any state officer or state employee who retires under the Florida Retirement System Investment Plan established under part II of chapter 121 if he or she:
1. Meets the age and service requirements to qualify for normal retirement as set forth in s. 121.021(29); or
2. Has attained the age specified by s. 72(t)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code and has 6 years of creditable service.
(k) “Seasonal workers” has the same meaning as provided under 29 C.F.R. s. 500.20(s)(1).
(l) “State agency” or “agency” means any branch, department, or agency of state government. “State agency” or “agency” includes any state university or Florida College System institution and the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation for purposes of this section only.
(m) “State group health insurance plan or plans” or “state plan or plans” means the state self-insured health insurance plan or plans offered to state officers and employees, retired state officers and employees, eligible former employees, and surviving spouses of deceased state officers, employees, and eligible former employees under this section.
(n) “State group insurance program” or “programs” means the package of insurance plans offered to state officers and employees, retired state officers and employees, eligible former employees, and surviving spouses of deceased state officers, employees, and eligible former employees under this section, including the state group health insurance plan or plans, health maintenance organization plans, TRICARE supplemental insurance plans, and other plans required or authorized by law.
(o) “State officer” means any constitutional state officer, any elected state officer paid by state warrant, or any appointed state officer who is commissioned by the Governor and who is paid by state warrant.
(p) “State-contracted HMO” means any health maintenance organization under contract with the department to participate in the state group insurance program.
(q) “Surviving spouse” means the widow or widower of a deceased state officer, full-time state employee, part-time state employee, eligible former employee, or retiree if such widow or widower was covered as a dependent under the state group health insurance plan, a TRICARE supplemental insurance plan, a health maintenance organization plan established under this section, or the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program at the time of the death of the deceased officer, employee, eligible former employee, or retiree. The term “surviving spouse” also means any widow or widower who is receiving or eligible to receive a monthly state warrant from a state retirement system as the beneficiary of a state officer, full-time state employee, or retiree who died prior to July 1, 1979. For the purposes of this section, any such widow or widower shall cease to be a surviving spouse upon his or her remarriage.
(r) “TRICARE supplemental insurance plan” means the Department of Defense Health Insurance Program for eligible members of the uniformed services authorized by 10 U.S.C. s. 1097.
(3) STATE GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAM.—
(a) The Division of State Group Insurance is created within the Department of Management Services.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to offer a comprehensive package of health insurance and retirement benefits and a personnel system for state employees which are provided in a cost-efficient and prudent manner, and to allow state employees the option to choose benefit plans which best suit their individual needs. The state group insurance program may include the state group health insurance plan or plans, health maintenance organization plans, group life insurance plans, TRICARE supplemental insurance plans, group accidental death and dismemberment plans, group disability insurance plans, other group insurance plans or coverage choices, and other benefits authorized by law.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this section to the contrary, it is the intent of the Legislature that the department shall be responsible for all aspects of the purchase of health care for state employees under the state group health insurance plan or plans, TRICARE supplemental insurance plans, and the health maintenance organization plans. Responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the development of requests for proposals or invitations to negotiate for state employee health benefits, the determination of health care benefits to be provided, and the negotiation of contracts for health care and health care administrative services. Prior to the negotiation of contracts for health care services, the Legislature intends that the department shall develop, with respect to state collective bargaining issues, the health benefits and terms to be included in the state group health insurance program. The department shall adopt rules necessary to perform its responsibilities pursuant to this section. The department is responsible for the contract management and day-to-day management of the state employee health insurance program, including, but not limited to, employee enrollment, premium collection, payment to health care providers, and other administrative functions related to the program.
(d)1. Notwithstanding chapter 287 and the authority of the department, for the purpose of protecting the health of, and providing medical services to, state employees and eligible former employees participating in the state group insurance program, the department may contract to retain the services of professional administrators for the state group insurance program. The agency shall follow good purchasing practices of state procurement to the extent practicable under the circumstances.
2. Each vendor in a major procurement, and any other vendor if the department deems it necessary to protect the state’s financial interests, shall, at the time of executing any contract with the department, post an appropriate bond with the department in an amount determined by the department to be adequate to protect the state’s interests but not higher than the full amount estimated to be paid annually to the vendor under the contract.
3. Each major contract entered into by the department under this section must contain a provision for payment of liquidated damages to the department for material noncompliance by a vendor with a contract provision. The department may require a liquidated damages provision in any contract if the department deems it necessary to protect the state’s financial interests.
4. Section 120.57(3) applies to the department’s contracting process, except:
a. A formal written protest of any decision, intended decision, or other action subject to protest must be filed within 72 hours after receipt of notice of the decision, intended decision, or other action.
b. As an alternative to s. 120.57(3), the department may proceed with the bid selection or contract award process if the director of the department sets forth, in writing, particular facts and circumstances that demonstrate the necessity of continuing the procurement process or the contract award process in order to avoid a substantial disruption to the provision of any scheduled insurance services.
5. The department shall make arrangements as necessary to contribute claims data of the state group health insurance plan to the contracted vendor selected by the Agency for Health Care Administration under s. 408.05(3)(c).
6. Each contracted vendor for the state group health insurance plan shall contribute Florida claims data to the contracted vendor selected by the Agency for Health Care Administration under s. 408.05(3)(c).
(e) The Department of Management Services and the Division of State Group Insurance may not prohibit or limit any properly licensed insurer, health maintenance organization, prepaid limited health services organization, or insurance agent from competing for any insurance product or plan purchased, provided, or endorsed by the department or the division on the basis of the compensation arrangement used by the insurer or organization for its agents.
(f) Except as provided for in subparagraph (h)2., the state contribution toward the cost of any plan in the state group insurance program shall be uniform with respect to all state employees in a state collective bargaining unit participating in the same coverage tier in the same plan. This section does not prohibit the development of separate benefit plans for officers and employees exempt from the career service or the development of separate benefit plans for each collective bargaining unit. For the 2020 plan year and each plan year thereafter, if the state’s contribution is more than the premium cost of the health plan selected by the employee, subject to federal limitation, the employee may elect to have the balance:
1. Credited to the employee’s flexible spending account;
2. Credited to the employee’s health savings account;
3. Used to purchase additional benefits offered through the state group insurance program; or
4. Used to increase the employee’s salary.
(g) Participation by individuals in the program is available to all state officers, full-time state employees, part-time state employees, and eligible former employees and is voluntary. Participation in the program is also available to retired state officers and employees who elect at the time of retirement to continue coverage under the program, but may elect to continue all or only part of the coverage they had at the time of retirement. A surviving spouse may elect to continue coverage only under a state group health insurance plan, a TRICARE supplemental insurance plan, or a health maintenance organization plan.
(h)1. A person eligible to participate in the state group insurance program may be authorized by rules adopted by the department, in lieu of participating in the state group health insurance plan, to exercise an option to elect membership in a health maintenance organization plan which is under contract with the state in accordance with criteria established by this section and by said rules. The offer of optional membership in a health maintenance organization plan permitted by this paragraph may be limited or conditioned by rule as may be necessary to meet the requirements of state and federal laws.
2. The department shall contract with health maintenance organizations seeking to participate in the state group insurance program through a request for proposal or other procurement process, as developed by the Department of Management Services and determined to be appropriate.
a. The department shall establish a schedule of minimum benefits for health maintenance organization coverage, and that schedule shall include: physician services; inpatient and outpatient hospital services; emergency medical services, including out-of-area emergency coverage; diagnostic laboratory and diagnostic and therapeutic radiologic services; mental health, alcohol, and chemical dependency treatment services meeting the minimum requirements of state and federal law; skilled nursing facilities and services; prescription drugs; age-based and gender-based wellness benefits; and other benefits as may be required by the department. Additional services may be provided subject to the contract between the department and the HMO. As used in this paragraph, the term “age-based and gender-based wellness benefits” includes aerobic exercise, education in alcohol and substance abuse prevention, blood cholesterol screening, health risk appraisals, blood pressure screening and education, nutrition education, program planning, safety belt education, smoking cessation, stress management, weight management, and women’s health education.
b. The department may establish uniform deductibles, copayments, coverage tiers, or coinsurance schedules for all participating HMO plans.
c. The department may require detailed information from each health maintenance organization participating in the procurement process, including information pertaining to organizational status, experience in providing prepaid health benefits, accessibility of services, financial stability of the plan, quality of management services, accreditation status, quality of medical services, network access and adequacy, performance measurement, ability to meet the department’s reporting requirements, and the actuarial basis of the proposed rates and other data determined by the director to be necessary for the evaluation and selection of health maintenance organization plans and negotiation of appropriate rates for these plans. Upon receipt of proposals by health maintenance organization plans and the evaluation of those proposals, the department may enter into negotiations with all of the plans or a subset of the plans, as the department determines appropriate. The department may negotiate regional or statewide contracts with health maintenance organization plans. Such plans must be cost-effective and must offer high value to enrollees.
d. The department may limit the number of HMOs that it contracts with in each region based on the nature of the bids the department receives, the number of state employees in the region, or any unique characteristics of the region. The department shall establish the regions throughout the state by rule. The department must submit the rule to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for ratification no later than 30 days before the 2020 Regular Session of the Legislature. The rule may not take effect until it is ratified by the Legislature.
e. All persons participating in the state group insurance program may be required to contribute towards a total state group health premium that may vary depending upon the plan, coverage level, and coverage tier selected by the enrollee and the level of state contribution authorized by the Legislature.
3. The department is authorized to negotiate and to contract with specialty psychiatric hospitals for mental health benefits, on a regional basis, for alcohol, drug abuse, and mental and nervous disorders. The department may establish, subject to the approval of the Legislature pursuant to subsection (5), any such regional plan upon completion of an actuarial study to determine any impact on plan benefits and premiums.
4. In addition to contracting pursuant to subparagraph 2., the department may enter into contract with any HMO to participate in the state group insurance program which:
a. Serves greater than 5,000 recipients on a prepaid basis under the Medicaid program;
b. Does not currently meet the 25-percent non-Medicare/non-Medicaid enrollment composition requirement established by the Department of Health excluding participants enrolled in the state group insurance program;
c. Meets the minimum benefit package and copayments and deductibles contained in sub-subparagraphs 2.a. and b.;
d. Is willing to participate in the state group insurance program at a cost of premiums that is not greater than 95 percent of the cost of HMO premiums accepted by the department in each service area; and
e. Meets the minimum surplus requirements of s. 641.225.
The department is authorized to contract with HMOs that meet the requirements of sub-subparagraphs a.-d. prior to the open enrollment period for state employees. The department is not required to renew the contract with the HMOs as set forth in this paragraph more than twice. Thereafter, the HMOs shall be eligible to participate in the state group insurance program only through the request for proposal or invitation to negotiate process described in subparagraph 2.
5. All enrollees in a state group health insurance plan, a TRICARE supplemental insurance plan, or any health maintenance organization plan have the option of changing to any other health plan that is offered by the state within any open enrollment period designated by the department. Open enrollment shall be held at least once each calendar year.
6. When a contract between a treating provider and the state-contracted health maintenance organization is terminated for any reason other than for cause, each party shall allow any enrollee for whom treatment was active to continue coverage and care when medically necessary, through completion of treatment of a condition for which the enrollee was receiving care at the time of the termination, until the enrollee selects another treating provider, or until the next open enrollment period offered, whichever is longer, but no longer than 6 months after termination of the contract. Each party to the terminated contract shall allow an enrollee who has initiated a course of prenatal care, regardless of the trimester in which care was initiated, to continue care and coverage until completion of postpartum care. This does not prevent a provider from refusing to continue to provide care to an enrollee who is abusive, noncompliant, or in arrears in payments for services provided. For care continued under this subparagraph, the program and the provider shall continue to be bound by the terms of the terminated contract. Changes made within 30 days before termination of a contract are effective only if agreed to by both parties.
7. Any HMO participating in the state group insurance program shall submit health care utilization and cost data to the department, in such form and in such manner as the department shall require, as a condition of participating in the program. The department shall enter into negotiations with its contracting HMOs to determine the nature and scope of the data submission and the final requirements, format, penalties associated with noncompliance, and timetables for submission. These determinations shall be adopted by rule.
8. The department may establish and direct, with respect to collective bargaining issues, a comprehensive package of insurance benefits that may include supplemental health and life coverage, dental care, long-term care, vision care, and other benefits it determines necessary to enable state employees to select from among benefit options that best suit their individual and family needs. Beginning with the 2018 plan year, the package of benefits may also include products and services described in s. 110.12303.
a. Based upon a desired benefit package, the department shall issue a request for proposal or invitation to negotiate for providers interested in participating in the state group insurance program, and the department shall issue a request for proposal or invitation to negotiate for providers interested in participating in the non-health-related components of the state group insurance program. Upon receipt of all proposals, the department may enter into contract negotiations with providers submitting bids or negotiate a specially designed benefit package. Providers offering or providing supplemental coverage as of May 30, 1991, which qualify for pretax benefit treatment pursuant to s. 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, with 5,500 or more state employees currently enrolled may be included by the department in the supplemental insurance benefit plan established by the department without participating in a request for proposal, submitting bids, negotiating contracts, or negotiating a specially designed benefit package. These contracts shall provide state employees with the most cost-effective and comprehensive coverage available; however, except as provided in subparagraph (f)3., no state or agency funds shall be contributed toward the cost of any part of the premium of such supplemental benefit plans. With respect to dental coverage, the division shall include in any solicitation or contract for any state group dental program made after July 1, 2001, a comprehensive indemnity dental plan option which offers enrollees a completely unrestricted choice of dentists. If a dental plan is endorsed, or in some manner recognized as the preferred product, such plan shall include a comprehensive indemnity dental plan option which provides enrollees with a completely unrestricted choice of dentists.
b. Pursuant to the applicable provisions of s. 110.161, and s. 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the department shall enroll in the pretax benefit program those state employees who voluntarily elect coverage in any of the supplemental insurance benefit plans as provided by sub-subparagraph a.
c. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to prohibit insurance providers from continuing to provide or offer supplemental benefit coverage to state employees as provided under existing agency plans.
(i) The benefits of the insurance authorized by this section shall not be in lieu of any benefits payable under chapter 440, the Workers’ Compensation Law. The insurance authorized by this law shall not be deemed to constitute insurance to secure workers’ compensation benefits as required by chapter 440.
(4) PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS; CONTRIBUTION BY STATE; LIMITATION ON ACTIONS TO PAY AND COLLECT PREMIUMS.—
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) with respect to law enforcement officers, correctional and correctional probation officers, and firefighters, legislative authorization through the appropriations act is required for payment by a state agency of any part of the premium cost of participation in any group insurance plan. However, the state contribution for full-time employees or part-time permanent employees shall continue in the respective proportions for up to 6 months for any such officer or employee who has been granted an approved parental or medical leave of absence without pay.
(b) If a state officer or full-time state employee selects membership in a health maintenance organization as authorized by paragraph (3)(h), the officer or employee is entitled to a state contribution toward individual and dependent membership as provided by the Legislature through the appropriations act.
(c) During each policy or budget year, no state agency shall contribute a greater dollar amount of the premium cost for its officers or employees for any plan option under the state group insurance program than any other agency for similar officers and employees, nor shall any greater dollar amount of premium cost be made for employees in one state collective bargaining unit than for those in any other state collective bargaining unit. Nothing in this section prohibits the use of different levels of state contributions for positions exempt from career service.
(d) The state contribution for health insurance coverage for a part-time state employee who elects to participate in the program shall be prorated so that the amount of the cost contributed for the part-time permanent employee bears the same relation to the amount of cost contributed for a similar full-time employee that the part-time employee’s normal workday bears to a full-time employee’s normal workday.
(e) No state contribution for the cost of any part of the premium shall be made for retirees, surviving spouses, or eligible former employees for any type of coverage under the state group insurance program. However, any state agency that employs a full-time law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer who is killed or suffers catastrophic injury in the line of duty as provided in s. 112.19, or a full-time firefighter who is killed or suffers catastrophic injury in the line of duty as provided in s. 112.191, shall pay the entire premium of the state group health insurance plan selected for the employee’s surviving spouse until remarried, and for each dependent child of the employee, subject to the conditions and limitations set forth in s. 112.19 or s. 112.191, as applicable.
(f) Pursuant to the request of each state officer, full-time or part-time state employee, or retiree participating in the state group insurance program, and upon certification of the employing agency approved by the department, the Chief Financial Officer shall deduct from the salary or retirement warrant payable to each participant the amount so certified and shall handle such deductions in accordance with rules established by the department.
(g) No administrative or civil proceeding shall be commenced to collect an underpayment or refund an overpayment of premiums collected pursuant to this subsection unless such claim is filed with the department within 2 years after the alleged underpayment or overpayment was made. For purposes of this paragraph, a payroll deduction, salary reduction, or contribution by an agency is deemed to be made on the date the salary warrant is issued.
(5) DEPARTMENT POWERS AND DUTIES.—The department is responsible for the administration of the state group insurance program. The department shall initiate and supervise the program as established by this section and shall adopt such rules as are necessary to perform its responsibilities. To implement this program, the department shall, with prior approval by the Legislature:
(a) Determine the benefits to be provided and the contributions to be required for the state group insurance program. Such determinations, whether for a contracted plan or a self-insurance plan pursuant to paragraph (c), do not constitute rules within the meaning of s. 120.52 or final orders within the meaning of s. 120.52. Any physician’s fee schedule used in the health and accident plan shall not be available for inspection or copying by medical providers or other persons not involved in the administration of the program. However, in the determination of the design of the program, the department shall consider existing and complementary benefits provided by the Florida Retirement System and the Social Security System.
(b) Prepare, in cooperation with the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission, the specifications necessary to implement the program.
(c) Contract on a competitive proposal basis with an insurance carrier or carriers, or professional administrator, determined by the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Financial Services Commission to be fully qualified, financially sound, and capable of meeting all servicing requirements. Alternatively, the department may self-insure any plan or plans contained in the state group insurance program subject to approval based on actuarial soundness by the Office of Insurance Regulation. The department may contract with an insurance company or professional administrator qualified and approved by the Office of Insurance Regulation to administer such plan. Before entering into any contract, the department shall advertise for competitive proposals, and such contract shall be let upon the consideration of the benefits provided in relationship to the cost of such benefits. In determining which entity to contract with, the department shall, at a minimum, consider: the entity’s previous experience and expertise in administering group insurance programs of the type it proposes to administer; the entity’s ability to specifically perform its contractual obligations in this state and other governmental jurisdictions; the entity’s anticipated administrative costs and claims experience; the entity’s capability to adequately provide service coverage and sufficient number of experienced and qualified personnel in the areas of claims processing, recordkeeping, and underwriting, as determined by the department; the entity’s accessibility to state employees and providers; the financial solvency of the entity, using accepted business sector measures of financial performance. The department may contract for medical services which will improve the health or reduce medical costs for employees who participate in the state group insurance plan.
(d) With respect to a state group health insurance plan, be authorized to require copayments with respect to all providers under the plan.
(e) Have authority to establish a voluntary program for comprehensive health maintenance, which may include health educational components and health appraisals.
(f) With respect to any contract with an insurance carrier or carriers or professional administrator entered into by the department, require that the state and the enrollees be held harmless and indemnified for any financial loss caused by the failure of the insurance carrier or professional administrator to comply with the terms of the contract.
(g) With respect to any contract with an insurance carrier or carriers, or professional administrator entered into by the department, require that the carrier or professional administrator provide written notice to individual enrollees if any payment due to any health care provider of the enrollee remains unpaid beyond a period of time as specified in the contract.
(h) Have authority to establish other voluntary programs to be funded on a pretax contribution basis or on a posttax contribution basis, as the department determines.
(i) Contract with a single custodian to provide services necessary to implement and administer the health savings accounts authorized in subsection (13).
Final decisions concerning enrollment, the existence of coverage, or covered benefits under the state group insurance program shall not be delegated or deemed to have been delegated by the department.
(6) DEPOSIT OF PREMIUMS AND REFUNDS.—Premium dollars collected and not required to pay the costs of the program, prior to being paid to the carrier insurance company, shall be invested, and the earnings from such investment shall be deposited in a trust fund to be designated in the State Treasury and utilized for increased benefits or reduced premiums for the participants or may be used to pay for the administration of the state group insurance program. Any refunds paid the state by the insurance carrier from premium dollar reserves held by the carrier and earned on such refunds shall be deposited in the trust fund and used for such purposes.
(7) CONTINUATION OF AGENCY INSURANCE PLANS.—Nothing contained in this section shall require the discontinuation of any insurance plan provided by any state agency; however, no state or agency funds shall be contributed toward the cost of any part of the premium of such agency plans. Such agency plans shall not be deemed to be included in the state group insurance program.
(8) COVERAGE FOR LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES.—
(a) The Legislature may provide coverage for its members and employees under all or any part of the state group insurance program; may provide coverage for its members and employees under a legislative group insurance program in lieu of all or any part of the state group insurance program; and, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (4)(c), may assume the cost of any group insurance coverage provided to its members and employees.
(b) Any legislative member who terminates his or her elected service after January 1, 1999, after having vested in the state retirement system, may purchase coverage in a state group health insurance plan at the same premium cost as that for retirees and surviving spouses. Such legislators may also elect coverage under the group term life insurance program prevailing for current members at the premium cost in effect for that plan.
(9) COVERAGE AND ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR EMPLOYEES, RETIREES, AND WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS OF EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES OF THE DIVISION OF REHABILITATION AND LIQUIDATION.—
(a) Beginning with the 2023 plan year:
1. A retired employee insured under the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program, or a widow or widower of an employee or of a retired employee of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation who is covered as a dependent under the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program, may purchase coverage in a state group health insurance plan at the same premium cost as that for a retiree or a surviving spouse, respectively, enrolled in the state group insurance program.
2. A terminated employee of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation, or an individual with continuing coverage, who is insured under the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program, may purchase coverage in a state group health insurance plan at the same premium cost as that for a terminated employee or an individual with continuation coverage, respectively, enrolled in the state group insurance program.
(b) The enrollment period for the state group insurance program begins with the 2023 plan year for:
1. Current and retired employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation.
2. Widows and widowers of employees and of retired employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation.
3. Terminated employees of the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation, or individuals with continuation coverage, who are insured under the Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation’s group insurance program.
(10) PUBLIC RECORDS LAW; EXEMPTION.—Patient medical records and medical claims records of state employees, former state employees, and their eligible covered dependents in the custody or control of the state group insurance program are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1). Such records shall not be furnished to any person other than the affected state employee or former state employee or his or her legal representative, except upon written authorization of the employee or former state employee, but may be furnished in any civil or criminal action, unless otherwise prohibited by law, upon the issuance of a subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction and proper notice to the state employee, former state employee, or his or her legal representative by the party seeking such records.
(11) STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE AND INTENT AND OTHER PROVISIONS REQUIRED FOR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF THE UNITED STATES.—Any other provisions in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding:
(a) Any provision in this chapter relating to a state group insurance program shall be construed and administered to the extent possible to qualify such program to be a qualified and nondiscriminatory employee benefit plan under existing or hereafter-enacted provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States.
(b) The department may adopt any rule necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subsection not inconsistent with this chapter.
(c) This subsection is declaratory of the legislative intent upon the original enactment of this section and is deemed to have been in effect since that date.
(12) NOTICE BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.—Any health care provider that has entered into a contract with a carrier or professional administrator that has contracted with the department to administer the self-insurance program under this section shall provide written notification to the enrollee and the carrier or administrator at least 10 days before assigning or transferring the responsibility for collecting any payment or debt related to the plan to a collection agency or to any other third party.
(13) HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.—The department is authorized to establish health savings accounts for full-time and part-time state employees in association with a health insurance plan option authorized by the Legislature and conforming to the requirements and limitations of federal provisions relating to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(a) A member participating in this health insurance plan option is eligible to:
1. Receive an employer contribution into the employee’s health savings account from the State Employees Health Insurance Trust Fund in an amount to be determined by the Legislature. A member is not eligible for an employer contribution upon termination of employment. For the 2013-2014 fiscal year, the state’s monthly contribution for employees having individual coverage shall be $41.66 and the monthly contribution for employees having family coverage shall be $83.33. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year and thereafter, the state’s contribution from the trust fund into the member’s health savings account shall be set in the annual General Appropriations Act.
2. Deposit the member’s own funds into a health savings account.
(b) The monthly premiums paid by the employer for a member participating in this health insurance plan option shall include an amount equal to the monthly employer contribution authorized by the Legislature for that fiscal year.
(c) The health savings accounts shall be administered in accordance with the requirements and limitations of federal provisions relating to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.
(14) OTHER-PERSONAL-SERVICES EMPLOYEES (OPS).—
(a) Each agency or other entity that participates in the state group insurance program shall provide information to the department on each of its employees regardless of whether the employee participates in the program. Such information must include the name of the employee, the number of hours worked by the employee, and any other information the department considers necessary for determining the eligibility of the employee to participate in the program. Such information shall be submitted as prescribed by the department.
(b) Each agency or other entity that participates in the state group insurance program shall identify any of its employees paid from OPS funds or similar funds who are employed by another agency or entity participating in the state group insurance program.
(c) The initial measurement period used to determine whether an employee hired before April 1, 2013, and paid from OPS funds is a full-time employee described in subparagraph (2)(e)1. is the 6-month period from April 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013.
(d) All other measurement periods used to determine whether an employee paid from OPS funds is a full-time employee described in paragraph (2)(e) must be for 12 consecutive months.
(15) ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.—The initial open enrollment period for employees of Florida College System institutions shall begin as soon as practicable, but coverage must begin during the 2025 plan year no later than July 31, 2025. The minimum participation period for Florida College System institutions must be for at least 3 plan years.
110.12301 Competitive procurement of postpayment claims review services and dependent eligibility verification services; public records exemption.—
(1) The Division of State Group Insurance is directed to competitively procure postpayment claims review services for the state group health insurance plans established pursuant to s. 110.123. Compensation under the contract shall be paid from amounts identified as claim overpayments that are made by or on behalf of the health plans and that are recovered by the vendor. The vendor may retain that portion of the amount recovered as provided in the contract. The contract must require the vendor to maintain all necessary documentation supporting the amounts recovered, retained, and remitted to the division; and
(2) The department is directed to contract for dependent eligibility verification services for the state group insurance program.
(a) The department or the contractor providing dependent eligibility verification services may require the following information from subscribers:
1. To prove a spouse’s eligibility:
a. If married less than 12 months and the subscriber and his or her spouse have not filed a joint federal income tax return, a government-issued marriage certificate;
b. If married for 12 or more months, a transcript of the most recently filed federal income tax return; or
c. If the documentation specified in sub-subparagraph a. or sub-subparagraph b. cannot be produced, an attestation of the marriage by sworn affidavit consistent with s. 92.50.
2. To prove a biological child’s or a newborn grandchild’s eligibility:
a. A government-issued birth certificate; or
b. If a birth certificate cannot be produced, an attestation of the subscriber-dependent relationship by sworn affidavit consistent with s. 92.50.
3. To prove an adopted child’s eligibility:
a. An adoption certificate;
b. An adoption placement agreement and a petition for adoption; or
c. If the documentation specified in sub-subparagraph a. or sub-subparagraph b. cannot be produced, an attestation of the subscriber-dependent relationship by sworn affidavit consistent with s. 92.50.
4. To prove a stepchild’s eligibility:
a. A government-issued birth certificate for the stepchild; and
b. The transcript of the subscriber’s most recently filed federal income tax return.
5. To prove a child’s eligibility under a guardianship, a copy of the court order naming the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the child’s legal guardian or custodian.
6. To prove a foster child’s eligibility, a copy of the records showing the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the dependent’s foster parent.
7. To prove eligibility of an unmarried child age 26 to 30:
a. A copy of the child’s government-issued birth certificate or adoption certificate naming the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the child’s parent, or a copy of the court order naming the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the child’s legal guardian or custodian;
b. A copy of the Certification of Over-Age Dependent Eligibility Form; and
c. A document confirming the child’s current enrollment as a student, including the name of the child, the name of the school, and the school term; or a bill or statement in the child’s name which is dated within the past 60 days and is mailed to the child at a Florida address.
8. To prove eligibility for a disabled child age 26 or older:
a. A copy of the child’s government-issued birth certificate or adoption certificate naming the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the child’s parent, or a copy of the court order naming the subscriber or the subscriber’s spouse as the child’s legal guardian or custodian; and
b. A copy of the transcript of the subscriber’s most recently filed federal income tax return listing the child’s name and the last four digits of the child’s social security number and identifying the child as the subscriber’s dependent for tax purposes.
(b) A government-issued marriage license or marriage certificate submitted for dependent eligibility verification must include the date of the marriage between the subscriber and the spouse.
(c) A government-issued birth certificate submitted for dependent eligibility verification must list the parents’ names.
(d) Foreign-born subscribers unable to obtain the necessary documentation within the specified time period of producing verification documentation may provide a sworn affidavit consistent with s. 92.50 attesting to eligibility requirements.
(e) Documentation submitted to verify eligibility may be an original or a photocopy of an original document. Before submitting a document, the subscriber may redact any information on a document which is not necessary to verify the eligibility of the dependent.
(f) All documentation obtained by the department or the contractor to conduct the dependent eligibility verification services must be retained in accordance with the applicable records retention schedule.
(3) Records collected for purposes of dependent eligibility verification services conducted for the state group insurance program, as authorized under subsection (2), and held by the department are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This subsection does not apply to records that are otherwise open for inspection and copying which are held by the department for purposes other than for the performance of dependent eligibility verification services. This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2027, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
110.12302 Costing options for plan designs required for contract solicitation.—For the state group insurance program, the Department of Management Services shall require costing options for both fully insured and self-insured plan designs, or some combination thereof, as part of the department’s solicitation for health maintenance organization contracts.
110.12303 State group insurance program; additional benefits; price transparency program; reporting.—
(1) In addition to the comprehensive package of health insurance and other benefits required or authorized to be included in the state group insurance program, the package of benefits may also include products and services offered by:
(a) Prepaid limited health service organizations authorized pursuant to part I of chapter 636.
(b) Discount medical plan organizations authorized pursuant to part II of chapter 636.
(c) Prepaid health clinics licensed under part II of chapter 641.
(d) Licensed health care providers, including hospitals and other health care facilities, health care clinics, and health professionals, who sell service contracts and arrangements for a specified amount and type of health services.
(e) Provider organizations, including service networks, group practices, professional associations, and other incorporated organizations of providers, who sell service contracts and arrangements for a specified amount and type of health services.
(f) Entities that provide specific health services in accordance with applicable state law and sell service contracts and arrangements for a specified amount and type of health services.
(g) Entities that provide health services or treatments through a bidding process.
(h) Entities that provide health services or treatments through the bundling or aggregating of health services or treatments.
(i) Entities that provide international prescription services.
(j) Entities that provide optional participation in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan.
(k) Entities that provide other innovative and cost-effective health service delivery methods.
(2)(a) The department shall contract with at least one entity that provides comprehensive pricing and inclusive services for surgery and other medical procedures which may be accessed at the option of the enrollee. The contract shall require:
1. The entity to have procedures and evidence-based standards to ensure the inclusion of only high-quality health care providers.
2. The entity to provide assistance to the enrollee in accessing and coordinating care.
3. The entity to provide cost savings to the state group insurance program to be shared with both the state and the enrollee. Cost savings to an enrollee must, unless prohibited by first-dollar coverage rules under applicable tax law, include a waiver of enrollee cost-sharing liability for surgery and other medical procedures. Cost savings may additionally include amounts payable to an enrollee or beneficiary as follows:
a. Credited to the enrollee’s flexible spending account;
b. Credited to the enrollee’s health savings account;
c. Credited to the enrollee’s health reimbursement account; or
d. Paid as additional health plan reimbursements.
4. The entity, in conjunction with the department, to provide an educational campaign for enrollees to learn about the services offered by the entity.
(b) On or before January 15 of each year, the department shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the participation level and cost-savings to both the enrollee and the state resulting from the contract or contracts described in this subsection.
(3) The department shall contract with an entity that provides enrollees with online information on the cost and quality of health care services and providers, allows an enrollee to shop for health care services and providers, and rewards the enrollee by sharing savings generated by the enrollee’s choice of services or providers. The contract shall require the entity to:
(a) Establish an Internet-based, consumer-friendly platform that educates and informs enrollees about the price and quality of health care services and providers, including the average amount paid in each county for health care services and providers. The average amounts paid for such services and providers may be expressed for service bundles, which include all products and services associated with a particular treatment or episode of care, or for separate and distinct products and services.
(b) Allow enrollees to shop for health care services and providers using the price and quality information provided on the Internet-based platform.
(c) Permit a certified bargaining agent of state employees to provide educational materials and counseling to enrollees regarding the Internet-based platform.
(d) Identify the savings realized to the enrollee and state if the enrollee chooses high-quality, lower-cost health care services or providers, and facilitate a shared savings payment to the enrollee. The amount of shared savings shall be determined by a methodology approved by the department and shall maximize value-based purchasing by enrollees. The amount payable to the enrollee may be:
1. Credited to the enrollee’s flexible spending account;
2. Credited to the enrollee’s health savings account;
3. Credited to the enrollee’s health reimbursement account; or
4. Paid as additional health plan reimbursements not exceeding the amount of the enrollee’s out-of-pocket medical expenses.
(4) The department shall offer, as a voluntary supplemental benefit option, international prescription services that offer safe maintenance medications at a reduced cost to enrollees and that meet the standards of the United States Food and Drug Administration personal importation policy.
(5)(a) Effective January 1, 2025, the department shall require all contracted state group health insurance plans and HMOs to provide coverage and payment, without imposing a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the covered individual, for annual skin cancer screenings performed by a dermatologist licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, or by a physician assistant licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 464 who is under the supervision of a dermatologist licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459. Payment for such screenings must be consistent with how the state group health insurance plan or HMO pays for other preventive screenings as defined by the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology codes.
(b) A state group health insurance plan or HMO participating under this section may not bundle a payment for skin cancer screenings performed under this section with any other procedure or service, including, but not limited to, an evaluation and management visit which is performed during the same office visit or a subsequent office visit.
(6)(a) For state group health insurance plan policies issued on or after January 1, 2025, the department shall provide coverage of biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of an enrollee’s disease or condition to guide treatment decisions if medical and scientific evidence indicates that the biomarker testing provides clinical utility to the enrollee. Such medical and scientific evidence includes, but is not limited to:
1. A labeled indication for a test approved or cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration;
2. An indicated test for a drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration;
3. A national coverage determination made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or a local coverage determination made by the Medicare Administrative Contractor; or
4. A nationally recognized clinical practice guideline. As used in this subparagraph, the term “nationally recognized clinical practice guideline” means an evidence-based clinical practice guideline developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies using a transparent methodology and reporting structure and with a conflict-of-interest policy. Guidelines developed by such organizations or societies establish standards of care informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and costs of alternative care options and include recommendations intended to optimize patient care.
(b) As used in this subsection, the term:
1. “Biomarker” means a defined characteristic that is measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or responses to an exposure or intervention, including therapeutic interventions. The term includes, but is not limited to, molecular, histologic, radiographic, or physiologic characteristics but does not include an assessment of how a patient feels, functions, or survives.
2. “Biomarker testing” means an analysis of a patient’s tissue, blood, or other biospecimen for the presence of a biomarker. The term includes, but is not limited to, single analyte tests, multiplex panel tests, protein expression, and whole exome, whole genome, and whole transcriptome sequencing performed at a participating in-network laboratory facility that is certified pursuant to the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) or that has obtained a CLIA Certificate of Waiver by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the tests.
3. “Clinical utility” means the test result provides information that is used in the formulation of a treatment or monitoring strategy that informs a patient’s outcome and impacts the clinical decision.
(c) Each state group health insurance plan shall provide a clear and convenient process for providers to request authorization for biomarker testing. Such process shall be made readily accessible to all enrollees and participating providers online.
(d) This subsection does not require coverage of biomarker testing for screening purposes.
(1) The department shall competitively procure an independent benefits consultant.
(2) The independent benefits consultant may not:
(a) Be owned or controlled by a health maintenance organization or insurer.
(b) Have an ownership interest in a health maintenance organization or insurer.
(c) Have a direct or indirect financial interest in a health maintenance organization or insurer.
(3) The independent benefits consultant must have substantial experience in consultation and design of employee benefit programs for large employers and public employers, including experience with plans that qualify as cafeteria plans under s. 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(4) The independent benefits consultant shall:
(a) Provide an ongoing assessment of trends in benefits and employer-sponsored insurance that affect the state group insurance program.
(b) Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state group insurance program, including available benefits, coverage options, and claims experience.
(c) Identify and establish appropriate adjustment procedures necessary to respond to any risk segmentation that may occur when increased choices are offered to employees.
(d) Assist the department with the submission of any necessary plan revisions for federal review.
(e) Assist the department in ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
(f) Assist the department in monitoring the adequacy of funding and reserves for the state self-insured plan.
(g) Assist the department in preparing recommendations for any modifications to the state group insurance program which shall be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each year.
(1) As used in this section, the term “designated anti-fraud unit” means a distinct unit within the Division of State Group Insurance which is made up of employees whose principal responsibilities are the investigation and disposition of claims and who are also assigned to investigate fraud.
(2) By December 31, 2022, the division:
(a)1. Shall establish and maintain a designated anti-fraud unit to investigate and report possible fraudulent insurance acts by insureds, persons making claims for services against the State Employees Health Insurance Trust Fund, or vendors under contract with the division.
2. May contract with other entities to investigate and report possible fraudulent insurance acts by insureds, persons making claims for services against the State Employees Health Insurance Trust Fund, or vendors under contract with the division.
(b) Shall adopt an anti-fraud plan.
(c) Shall designate staff with the primary responsibility of implementing the requirements of this section.
110.12312 Open enrollment period for retirees.—On or after July 1, 1997, the Department of Management Services shall provide for an open enrollment period for retired state employees who want to obtain health insurance coverage under ss. 110.123 and 110.12315. The options offered during the open enrollment period must provide the same health insurance coverage as the coverage provided to active employees under the same premium payment conditions in effect for covered retirees, including eligibility for health insurance subsidy payments under s. 112.363. A person who separates from employment subsequent to May 1, 1988, but whose date of retirement occurs on or after August 1, 1995, is eligible as of the first open enrollment period occurring after July 1, 1997, with an effective date of January 1, 1998, as long as the retiree’s enrollment remains in effect.
110.12313 Enrollment for eligible former employees.—An eligible former employee may obtain health insurance coverage under s. 110.123, and enroll in the state group insurance program at any time within 24 months after his or her separation from employment. The options provided to an eligible former employee must be the same health insurance coverage and premium payment conditions provided to covered retirees, except for life insurance and flexible spending account plans.
110.12315 Prescription drug program.—The state employees’ prescription drug program is established. This program shall be administered by the Department of Management Services, according to the terms and conditions of the plan as established by the relevant provisions of the annual General Appropriations Act and implementing legislation, subject to the following conditions:
(1) The department shall allow prescriptions written by health care providers under the plan to be filled by any licensed pharmacy and reimbursed pursuant to subsection (2). This section may not be construed as prohibiting a mail order prescription drug program distinct from the service provided by retail pharmacies.
(2) In providing for reimbursement of pharmacies for prescription drugs and supplies dispensed to members of the state group health insurance plan and their dependents under the state employees’ prescription drug program:
(a) Retail, mail order, and specialty pharmacies participating in the program must be reimbursed as established by contract and according to the terms and conditions of the plan.
(b) There is a 30-day supply limit for retail pharmacy fills, a 90-day supply limit for mail order fills, and a 90-day supply limit for maintenance drug fills by retail pharmacies. This paragraph may not be construed to prohibit fills at any amount less than the applicable supply limit.
(c) The pharmacy dispensing fee shall be negotiated by the department.
(d) The department shall establish the reimbursement schedule for prescription drugs and supplies dispensed under the program. Reimbursement rates for a prescription drug or supply must be based on the cost of the generic equivalent drug or supply if a generic equivalent exists, unless the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant prescribing the drug or supply clearly states on the prescription that the brand name drug or supply is medically necessary or that the drug or supply is included on the formulary of drugs and supplies that may not be interchanged as provided in chapter 465, in which case reimbursement must be based on the cost of the brand name drug or supply as specified in the reimbursement schedule adopted by the department.
(3) The department shall maintain the generic, preferred brand name, and the nonpreferred brand name lists of drugs and supplies to be used in the administration of the state employees’ prescription drug program.
(4) The department shall maintain a list of maintenance drugs and supplies.
(a) Preferred provider organization health plan members may have prescriptions for maintenance drugs and supplies filled up to three times as a supply for up to 30 days through a retail pharmacy; thereafter, prescriptions for the same maintenance drug or supply must be filled for up to 90 days either through the department’s contracted mail order pharmacy or through a retail pharmacy.
(b) Health maintenance organization health plan members may have prescriptions for maintenance drugs and supplies filled for up to 90 days either through a mail order pharmacy or through a retail pharmacy.
(5) Copayments made by health plan members for a supply for up to 90 days through a retail pharmacy shall be the same as copayments made for a similar supply through the department’s contracted mail order pharmacy.
(6) The department shall conduct a prescription utilization review program. In order to participate in the state employees’ prescription drug program, retail pharmacies dispensing prescription drugs and supplies to members of the state group health insurance plan or their covered dependents, or to subscribers or covered dependents of a health maintenance organization plan under the state group insurance program, shall make their records available for this review.
(7) Participating pharmacies must use a point-of-sale device or an online computer system to verify a participant’s eligibility for coverage. The state is not liable for reimbursement of a participating pharmacy for dispensing prescription drugs and supplies to any person whose current eligibility for coverage has not been verified by the state’s contracted administrator or by the department.
(8)(a) Effective July 1, 2017, for the State Group Health Insurance Standard Plan, copayments must be made as follows:
1. For a supply for up to 30 days from a retail pharmacy:
a. For generic drug..........$7.
b. For preferred brand name drug..........$30.
c. For nonpreferred brand name drug..........$50.
2. For a supply for up to 90 days from a mail order pharmacy or a retail pharmacy:
a. For generic drug..........$14.
b. For preferred brand name drug..........$60.
c. For nonpreferred brand name drug..........$100.
(b) Effective July 1, 2017, for the State Group Health Insurance High Deductible Plan, coinsurance must be paid as follows:
1. For a supply for up to 30 days from a retail pharmacy:
a. For generic drug..........30%.
b. For preferred brand name drug..........30%.
c. For nonpreferred brand name drug..........50%.
2. For a supply for up to 90 days from a mail order pharmacy or a retail pharmacy:
a. For generic drug..........30%.
b. For preferred brand name drug..........30%.
c. For nonpreferred brand name drug..........50%.
(9)(a) Beginning with the 2020 plan year, the department must implement formulary management for prescription drugs and supplies. Such management practices must require prescription drugs to be subject to formulary inclusion or exclusion but may not restrict access to the most clinically appropriate, clinically effective, and lowest net-cost prescription drugs and supplies. Drugs excluded from the formulary must be available for inclusion if a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant prescribing a pharmaceutical clearly states on the prescription that the excluded drug is medically necessary. Prescription drugs and supplies first made available in the marketplace after January 1, 2020, may not be covered by the prescription drug program until specifically included in the list of covered prescription drugs and supplies.
(b) No later than October 1, 2019, and by each October 1 thereafter, the department must submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the list of prescription drugs and supplies that will be excluded from program coverage for the next plan year. If the department proposes to exclude prescription drugs and supplies after the plan year has commenced, the department must provide notice to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of such exclusions at least 60 days before implementation of such exclusions.
(10) In addition to the comprehensive package of health insurance and other benefits required or authorized to be included in the state group insurance program, the program must provide coverage for medically necessary prescription and nonprescription enteral formulas and amino-acid-based elemental formulas for home use, regardless of the method of delivery or intake, which are ordered or prescribed by a physician. As used in this subsection, the term “medically necessary” means the formula to be covered represents the only medically appropriate source of nutrition for a patient. Such coverage may not exceed an amount of $20,000 annually for any insured individual.
110.1232 Health insurance coverage for persons retired under state-administered retirement systems before January 1, 1976, and for spouses.—Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, the Department of Management Services shall provide health insurance coverage under the state group insurance program for persons who retired before January 1, 1976, under any of the state-administered retirement systems and who are not covered by social security and for the spouses and surviving spouses of such retirees who are also not covered by social security. Such health insurance coverage shall provide the same benefits as provided to other retirees who are entitled to participate under s. 110.123. The claims experience of this group shall be commingled with the claims experience of other members covered under s. 110.123.
110.1234 Health insurance for retirees under the Florida Retirement System; Medicare supplement and fully insured coverage.—
(1) The Department of Management Services shall solicit competitive bids from state-licensed insurance companies to provide and administer a fully insured Medicare supplement policy for all eligible retirees of a state or local public employer. Such Medicare supplement policy shall meet the provisions of ss. 627.671-627.675. For the purpose of this subsection, “eligible retiree” means any public employee who retired from a state or local public employer who is covered by Medicare, Parts A and B. The department shall authorize one company to offer the Medicare supplement coverage to all eligible retirees. All premiums shall be paid by the retiree.
(2) The Department of Management Services shall solicit competitive bids from state-licensed insurance companies to provide and administer fully insured health insurance coverage for all public employees who retired from a state or local public employer who are not covered by Medicare, Parts A and B. The department may authorize one company to offer such coverage if the proposed benefits and premiums are reasonable. If such coverage is authorized, all premiums shall be paid for by the retiree.
110.1238 State group health insurance plans; refunds with respect to overcharges by providers.—A participant in a state group health insurance plan who discovers that he or she was overcharged by a health care provider shall receive a refund of 50 percent of any amount recovered as a result of such overcharge, up to a maximum of $1,000.
110.1239 State group health insurance program funding.—It is the intent of the Legislature that the state group health insurance program be managed, administered, operated, and funded in such a manner as to maximize the protection of state employee health insurance benefits. Inherent in this intent is the recognition that the health insurance liabilities attributable to the benefits offered state employees should be fairly, orderly, and equitably funded. Accordingly:
(1) The division shall determine the level of premiums necessary to fully fund the state group health insurance program for the next fiscal year. Such determination shall be made after each Self-Insurance Estimating Conference as provided in s. 216.136(9), but not later than December 1 and April 1 of each fiscal year.
(2) The Governor, in the Governor’s recommended budget, shall provide premium rates necessary for full funding of the state group health insurance program, and the Legislature shall provide in the General Appropriations Act for a premium level necessary for full funding of the state group health insurance program.
110.124 Termination or transfer of employees aged 65 or older.—
(1) An employee of the state who is within the Career Service System established by part II, or who is protected by any other merit system plan or system providing for tenure, may not be terminated by the agency or department in which he or she is employed solely because of attainment of age 65. Such employee may be terminated if the agency or department specifies charges or other cause for such termination. The attainment of age 65 or older shall not be considered as such specified cause for termination. If an employee continues in employment beyond age 65, the agency or department shall not be required to justify such continuation in employment.
(2) Whenever any employee who has attained age 65 is terminated by an agency or department solely because the employee attains age 65, the employee may apply for relief from the action to the Public Employees Relations Commission pursuant to s. 447.208. The employee shall continue in employment pending the outcome of the application. If the employee continues in employment following the decision of the commission, no further action shall be taken by the agency or department to terminate the employee for a period of 1 year following the date of the decision of the commission unless approved by the commission upon a showing by the agency or department that the employee’s capability has changed to a sufficient extent that he or she is no longer able to perform any job within such agency or department.
(3) Any employee who has attained age 65 may be transferred to some job requiring less responsibility and less arduous duties by the agency or department in which he or she is employed when determination is made that such employee is not able to satisfactorily carry out the full duties of his or her position. A transfer to a different position may be accompanied by an appropriate reduction in pay. Such transfer shall be subject to appeal by the employee.
(4) If mutually agreed to by the employee and the agency or department, an employee who has attained age 65 may be reduced to a part-time position for the purpose of phasing the employee out of employment into retirement. Such an arrangement may also be required by the Public Employees Relations Commission as part of its decision in any appeal arising out of this section. A reduction to a part-time position may be accompanied by an appropriate reduction in pay.
(5) In the event of transfer to another position or reduction to a part-time position, the agency or department concerned shall furnish, in writing, to the affected employee the reasons for the transfer or reduction, together with the name and classification of the employee concerned.
110.1245 Savings sharing program; bonus payments; other awards.—
(1)(a) The Department of Management Services shall adopt rules that prescribe procedures and promote a savings sharing program for an individual or group of employees who propose procedures or ideas that are adopted and that result in eliminating or reducing state expenditures, if such proposals are placed in effect and may be implemented under current statutory authority.
(b) Each agency head shall recommend employees individually or by group to be awarded an amount of money, which amount shall be directly related to the cost savings realized. Each proposed award and amount of money must be approved by the Legislative Budget Commission.
(c) Each state agency, unless otherwise provided by law, may participate in the program. The Chief Justice shall have the authority to establish a savings sharing program for employees of the judicial branch within the parameters established in this section. The program shall apply to all employees within the Career Service, the Selected Exempt Service, and comparable employees within the judicial branch.
(d) The department and the judicial branch shall submit annually to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives information that outlines each agency’s level of participation in the savings sharing program. The information shall include, but is not limited to:
1. The number of proposals made.
2. The number of dollars and awards made to employees or groups for adopted proposals.
3. The actual cost savings realized as a result of implementing employee or group proposals.
(2) In June of each year, bonuses shall be paid to employees from funds authorized by the Legislature in an appropriation specifically for bonuses. Each agency shall develop a plan for awarding lump-sum bonuses, which plan shall be submitted no later than September 15 of each year and approved by the Office of Policy and Budget in the Executive Office of the Governor. Such plan shall include, at a minimum, but is not limited to:
(a) A statement that bonuses are subject to specific appropriation by the Legislature.
(b) Eligibility criteria as follows:
1. The employee must have been employed prior to July 1 of that fiscal year and have been continuously employed through the date of distribution.
2. The employee must not have been on leave without pay consecutively for more than 6 months during the fiscal year.
3. The employee must have had no sustained disciplinary action during the period beginning July 1 through the date the bonus checks are distributed. Disciplinary actions include written reprimands, suspensions, dismissals, and involuntary or voluntary demotions that were associated with a disciplinary action.
4. The employee must have demonstrated a commitment to the agency mission by reducing the burden on those served, continually improving the way business is conducted, producing results in the form of increased outputs, and working to improve processes.
5. The employee must have demonstrated initiative in work and have exceeded normal job expectations.
6. The employee must have modeled the way for others by displaying agency values of fairness, cooperation, respect, commitment, honesty, excellence, and teamwork.
(c) A periodic evaluation process of the employee’s performance.
(d) A process for peer input that is fair, respectful of employees, and affects the outcome of the bonus distribution.
(e) A division of the agency by work unit for purposes of peer input and bonus distribution.
(f) A limitation on bonus distributions equal to 35 percent of the agency’s total authorized positions. This requirement may be waived by the Office of Policy and Budget in the Executive Office of the Governor upon a showing of exceptional circumstances.
(3) Each department head is authorized to incur expenditures to award suitable framed certificates, pins, and other tokens of recognition to retiring state employees whose service with the state has been satisfactory, in appreciation and recognition of such service. Such awards may not cost in excess of $100 each plus applicable taxes.
(4) Each department head is authorized to incur expenditures to award suitable framed certificates, pins, or other tokens of recognition to state employees who demonstrate satisfactory service in the agency or to the state, in appreciation and recognition of such service. Such awards may not cost in excess of $100 each plus applicable taxes.
(5) Each department head is authorized to incur expenditures not to exceed $100 each plus applicable taxes for suitable framed certificates, plaques, or other tokens of recognition to any appointed member of a state board or commission whose service to the state has been satisfactory, in appreciation and recognition of such service upon the expiration of such board or commission member’s final term in such position.
110.125 Administrative costs.—The administrative expenses and costs of operating the personnel program established by this chapter shall be paid by the various agencies of the state government, and each such agency shall include in its budget estimates its pro rata share of such cost as determined by the Department of Management Services. To establish an equitable division of the costs, the amount to be paid by each agency shall be determined in such proportion as the service rendered to each agency bears to the total service rendered under the provisions of this chapter. The amounts paid to the Department of Management Services which are attributable to positions within the Senior Management Service and the Selected Professional Service shall be used for the administration of such services, training activities for positions within those services, and the development and implementation of a database of pertinent historical information on exempt positions. Should any state agency become more than 90 days delinquent in payment of this obligation, the department shall certify to the Chief Financial Officer the amount due and the Chief Financial Officer shall transfer the amount due to the department from any debtor agency funds available.
110.126 Oaths, testimony, records; penalties.—The department may administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and compel the production of books, papers, or other records, in written or electronic form, relevant to any investigation of personnel practices or hearing authorized by this chapter. Any person who fails to appear in response to a subpoena or to answer any question or produce any books, papers, or other records relevant to such investigation or hearing or who knowingly gives false testimony commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(1) Any person who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or of any rules adopted pursuant to the authority herein granted is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) The provisions of s. 112.011 to the contrary notwithstanding, any person who is convicted of a misdemeanor under this chapter shall be, for a period of 5 years, ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the state service and, if an employee of the state, shall forfeit his or her position.
(3) Imposition of the penalties provided in this section shall not be in lieu of any action which may be taken or penalties which may be imposed pursuant to part III of chapter 112.
(1) Upon request, the department may enter into a formal agreement with any municipality or political subdivision of the state to furnish technical assistance to improve the system or methods of personnel administration of that municipality or political subdivision. The department shall provide such assistance within the limitations of available staff, funds, and other resources. All municipalities and political subdivisions of the state are authorized to enter into such agreements.
(2) Technical assistance includes, but is not limited to, providing technical advice, written reports, or other information or materials that may cover such subjects as management and personnel systems, central administrative and support services, employee training, and employee productivity.
(3) Technical assistance rendered to municipalities or political subdivisions pursuant to this section may be on a nonreimbursable basis or may be partly or wholly reimbursable based upon the extent, nature, and duration of the requested assistance; the extent of resources required; and the degree to which the assistance would be of use to other municipalities or political subdivisions of the state.
(1) As used in this section, the term “agency” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of the executive branch of state government and means any officer, court, commission, or other unit of the judicial branch of state government supported in whole or in part by appropriations made by the Legislature.
(2) An agency may employ any qualified individual in other-personal-services employment. For each other-personal-services employee, the agency shall:
(a) Maintain employee records identifying, at a minimum, the person employed, the hire date, the type of other-personal-services employment, and the number of hours worked.
(b) Determine the appropriate rate of pay and ensure that all payments are in compliance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and state law.
(c) Review, determine, and document by June 30 of each year whether the continuation of each other-personal-services employment position is necessary to the mission of the agency. This review process does not apply to board members; consultants; seasonal employees; institutional clients employed as part of their rehabilitation; bona fide, degree-seeking students in accredited secondary or postsecondary educational programs; employees hired to deal with an emergency situation that affects the public health, safety, or welfare; or employees hired for a project that is identified by a specific appropriation or time-limited grant.
(3) Unless specifically provided by law, other-personal-services employees are not eligible for any form of paid leave, paid holidays, a paid personal day, participation in state group insurance or retirement benefits, or any other state employee benefit. Other-personal-services employees may be included in that part of an agency’s recognition and reward program that recognizes and rewards employees who submit innovative ideas that increase productivity, eliminate or reduce state expenditures, improve operations, or generate additional revenue or who meet or exceed the agency’s established criteria for a project or goal.
(4) Each August 15, each agency employing an individual in other-personal-services employment shall submit a report to the Executive Office of the Governor and to the chairs of the legislative appropriations committees containing the following information for the previous fiscal year ending June 30:
(a) The total number of individuals serving in other-personal-services employment.
(b) The type of employment, average pay, and total number of hours worked for each individual serving in other-personal-services employment.
(5) Beginning January 1, 2014, an other-personal-services (OPS) employee who has worked an average of at least 30 or more hours per week during the measurement period described in s. 110.123(14)(c) or (d), or who is reasonably expected to work an average of at least 30 or more hours per week following his or her employment, is eligible to participate in the state group insurance program as provided under s. 110.123.
110.1315 Alternative retirement benefits; other-personal-services employees.—
(1) The Department of Financial Services shall provide an alternative retirement income security program for eligible temporary and seasonal employees of the state who are compensated from appropriations for other personal services. The Department of Financial Services may contract with a private vendor or vendors to administer the program under a defined-contribution plan under ss. 401(a) and 403(b) or s. 457 of the Internal Revenue Code, and the program must provide retirement benefits as required under s. 3121(b)(7)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Department of Financial Services may develop a request for proposals and solicit qualified vendors to compete for the award of the contract. A vendor shall be selected on the basis of the plan that best serves the interest of the participating employees and the state. The proposal must comply with all necessary federal and state laws and rules.
(2) The Department of Financial Services may adopt rules necessary to administer this section.
110.151 State officers’ and employees’ child care services.—
(1) The Department of Management Services shall approve, administer, and coordinate child care services for state officers’ and employees’ children or dependents. Duties shall include, but not be limited to, reviewing and approving requests from state agencies for child care services; providing technical assistance on child care program startup and operation; and assisting other agencies in conducting needs assessments, designing centers, and selecting service providers. Primary emphasis for child care services shall be given to children who are not subject to compulsory school attendance pursuant to part II of chapter 1003, and, to the extent possible, emphasis shall be placed on child care for children aged 2 and under.
(2) Child care programs may be located in state-owned office buildings, educational facilities and institutions, custodial facilities and institutions, and, with the consent of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in buildings or spaces used for legislative activities. In addition, centers may be located in privately owned buildings conveniently located to the place of employment of those officers and employees to be served by the centers. If a child care program is located in a state-owned office building, educational facility or institution, or custodial facility or institution, or in a privately owned building leased by the state, a portion of the service provider’s rental fees for child care space may be waived by the sponsoring agency in accordance with the rules of the Department of Management Services. Additionally, the sponsoring state agency may be responsible for the maintenance, utilities, and other operating costs associated with the child care center.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the cost of child care services shall be offset by fees charged to employees who use the child care services. Requests for proposals may provide for a sliding fee schedule, with fees charged on the basis of the employee’s household income.
(4) The provider of proposed child care services shall be selected by competitive contract. Requests for proposals shall be developed with the assistance of, and subject to the approval of, the Department of Management Services. Management of the contract with the service provider shall be the responsibility of the sponsoring state agency.
(5) An operator selected to provide services must comply with all state and local standards for the licensure and operation of child care facilities, maintain adequate liability insurance coverage, and assume financial and legal responsibility for the operation of the program. Neither the operator nor any personnel employed by or at a child care facility shall be deemed to be employees of the state. However, the sponsoring state agency may be responsible for the operation of the child care center when:
(a) A second request for proposals fails to procure a qualified service provider; or
(b) The service provider’s contract is canceled and attempts to procure another qualified service provider are unsuccessful;
and plans for direct operation are approved by the Department of Management Services.
(6) In the areas where the state has an insufficient number of employees to justify a worksite center, a state agency may join in a consortium arrangement utilizing available state facilities with not-for-profit corporations or other public employers to provide child care services to both public employees and employees of private sector employers. The consortium agreement must first address the unmet child care needs of the children of the public employees whose employers are members of the consortium, and then address the child care needs of private sector employees.
(7) The Department of Management Services may adopt any rules necessary to achieve the purposes of this section.
110.1522 Model rule establishing family support personnel policies.—The Department of Management Services shall develop a model rule establishing family support personnel policies for all executive branch agencies, excluding the State University System. “Family support personnel policies,” for purposes of ss. 110.1521-110.1523, means personnel policies affecting employees’ ability to both work and devote care and attention to their families and includes policies on flexible hour work schedules, compressed time, job sharing, part-time employment, maternity or paternity leave for employees with a newborn or newly adopted child, and paid and unpaid family or administrative leave for family responsibilities.
110.1523 Adoption of model rule.—The model rule shall be effective 20 days after having been filed with the Department of State and shall become part of the personnel rules of all applicable state agencies 150 days after the effective date of the rule to the extent that each agency does not, subsequent to such effective date, adopt a rule that sets forth the intent to specifically amend all or part of such model rule. Any employee or organization representing employees shall be considered a party for purposes of any rule required by ss. 110.1521-110.1523, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120 to the contrary.
110.161 State employees; pretax benefits program.—
(1) This section may be cited as the “State Employees Pretax Benefits Program Act.”
(2) As used in this section, “employee” means any individual filling an authorized and established position in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the state, including the employees of the State Board of Administration, the state universities, and other entities of state government holding salaried positions and being paid by state warrant or from agency funds.
(3) It is found and declared that the maintenance of a system of personnel management which ensures the state the delivery of high-quality performance by employees is facilitated by the state’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. The Legislature recognizes that the public interest is best served by development of a benefits program which is not only cost-efficient but sufficiently flexible to meet the individual needs of its employees.
(4) The Congress of the United States has, by the enactment of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, recognized the increasing cost to all employers and employees of necessary benefits and, in an attempt to help employers and employees meet these increased costs, has found and determined that employee benefits may be administered on a pretax basis. In so doing, Congress has thereby provided a method to assist state government in structuring employee benefit programs which are more cost-efficient for individual employees and state government.
(5) The Department of Management Services shall develop rules for the pretax benefits program, which shall specify the benefits to be offered under the program, the continuing tax-exempt status of the program, and any other matters deemed necessary by the department to implement this section. The rules must be approved by a majority vote of the Administration Commission.
(6) The Department of Management Services is authorized to administer the pretax benefits program established for all employees so that employees may receive benefits that are not includable in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The pretax benefits program:
(a) Shall allow employee contributions to premiums for the state group insurance program administered under s. 110.123 to be paid on a pretax basis unless an employee elects not to participate.
(b) Shall allow employees to voluntarily establish expense reimbursement plans from their salaries on a pretax basis to pay for qualified medical and dependent care expenses, including premiums paid by employees for qualified supplemental insurance.
(c) May provide for the payment of such premiums through a pretax payroll procedure. The Administration Commission and the Department of Management Services are directed to take all actions necessary to preserve the tax-exempt status of the program.
(7) The Legislature recognizes that a substantial amount of the employer savings realized by the implementation of a pretax benefits program will be the result of diminutions in the state’s employer contribution to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax. There is hereby created the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund in the Department of Management Services. Each agency in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the state, including the State Board of Administration, state universities, and other entities of state government whose employees hold salaried positions and are paid by state warrant or from agency funds, shall transfer to the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund the full and complete employer FICA contributions saved in connection with each weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly payroll as a result of the implementation of the pretax benefits program authorized pursuant to this section. Such savings shall be transferred to the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund upon transacting each payroll, but not later than a subsequent payroll. Any moneys forfeited pursuant to employees’ salary reduction agreements to participate in the program must also be deposited in the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund. Moneys in the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund shall be used for the pretax benefits program, including its administration by the Department of Management Services or a third-party administrator.
(8) Any Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax savings and any reimbursement account forfeitures in the Pretax Benefits Trust Fund in excess of the obligations and encumbrances to administer the pretax benefits program shall be calculated as of June 30 each year and transferred to the State Employees’ Group Health Self-Insurance Trust Fund prior to July 1 of each year.
(9) For all purposes under any state-administered retirement program, the compensation or gross compensation of any employee participating in any pretax benefits program shall be deemed to have been the compensation or gross compensation which the employee would have received if he or she were not participating in such pretax benefit program.
(10) Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this section, the program established under this section shall be provided to members of a collective bargaining unit represented by a certified employee organization only after the organization and the public employer have concluded the collective bargaining process regarding program provisions that are terms or conditions of employment.
(a) “Agency” means any official, officer, commission, board, authority, council, committee, or department of state government.
(b) “Department” means the Department of Management Services.
(c) “Telework” means a work arrangement that allows a state employee to conduct all or some of his or her work away from the official worksite during all or a portion of the state employee’s established work hours on a regular basis. The term does not include, and a telework agreement is not required for:
1. Performance of required work duties away from the official worksite and outside of established work hours on an occasional basis and sporadically working away from the official worksite during all or some portion of the established work hours. These arrangements may be used by an agency to accommodate extenuating circumstances by allowing an employee to maintain productivity away from the official worksite.
2. Duties and responsibilities that, by their nature, are performed routinely in the field away from the official worksite.
(2) An agency may establish telework as an integral part of the normal business operations of the agency and require that specific work be performed through telework arrangements. Telework may also be used as part of an agency’s continuity of operations plan where appropriate. An agency shall provide telework as an optional alternative work arrangement to support employee needs and implement telework arrangements where deemed appropriate.
(3) Each agency shall review all established positions and designate those positions that the agency deems appropriate for telework. The agency shall ensure that this information is current and available to its employees and managers. In addition, each agency shall identify all currently participating employees and their respective positions in the human resource information system used by that agency.
(4) Agencies that have a telework program shall develop an agency plan that addresses the agency’s telework policies and procedures. At a minimum, an agency telework plan must:
(a) Establish criteria for evaluating the ability of employees to satisfactorily perform in a telework arrangement.
(b) Establish performance standards that ensure that teleworkers maintain satisfactory performance levels.
(c) Ensure that teleworkers are subject to the same rules and disciplinary actions as other employees.
(d) Establish the reasonable conditions that the agency plans to impose in order to ensure appropriate use and maintenance of any equipment issued by the agency.
(e) Establish a system for monitoring the productivity of teleworkers that ensures that the work output remains at a satisfactory level and that the duties and responsibilities of the position remain suitable for a telework arrangement.
(f) Establish the appropriate physical and electronic information security controls to be maintained by a teleworker at the telework site.
(g) Prohibit a teleworker from conducting face-to-face state business at his or her residence.
(5) At the discretion of the agency, if an employee is approved by the agency to use telework as an optional alternative work arrangement, the agency shall require a written agreement between the teleworker and the agency that specifies the terms and conditions of the telework arrangement and provides for the termination of an employee’s participation in the program if the employee’s continued participation is not in the best interest of the agency.
(6) Agencies that require certain employees to telework as a part of normal business operations shall:
(a) Include the requirement to telework and the associated terms and conditions as part of the position description, specifying the minimum amount of telework required.
(b) Provide at least 30 calendar days’ written notice to affected employees of intent to impose or remove a requirement to telework.
(c) Provide at least 15 calendar days’ written notice to affected employees of intent to revise the terms and conditions of the current telework arrangement.
(d) Provide equipment and supplies to an employee necessary to carry out job functions from the telework site.
(e) Specify the telework requirement in any recruitment activities.
(7) Agencies that have a telework program shall establish and track performance measures that support telework program analysis and report data annually to the department in accordance with s. 255.249(8). Such measures must include, but need not be limited to, those that quantify financial impacts associated with changes in office space requirements resulting from the telework program. Agencies operating in office space owned or managed by the department shall consult the department to ensure consistency with the strategic leasing plan required under s. 255.249(6).
(8) Agencies that have a telework program shall post the agency telework plan and any pertinent supporting documents on the agency’s Internet website to allow access by employees and the public.
(9) Agencies may approve other-personal-services employees to participate in telework programs.
110.182 Solicitation of state employees prohibited.—An organization, entity, or person may not intentionally solicit a state employee through any means for fundraising or business purposes within work areas during work hours. This section does not prohibit:
(1) State-approved communications by entities with whom the state has contracted to provide employee benefits or services.
(2) Noncoercive voluntary communications between state employees in workplace areas.
(3) Activities at authorized public events occurring in nonwork areas of state owned or leased facilities.
(1) In situations where the Legislature has expressly authorized the state, an agency, or the judicial branch as defined in s. 110.107 to lease employees, the Executive Office of the Governor for the executive branch or the Chief Justice for the judicial branch may authorize any of the following actions related to such state employee leasing activities, provided that the direct cost of such actions is to be paid or reimbursed within 30 days after payment by the entity or person to whom the employees are leased:
(a) Create a separate budget entity from which leased employees shall be paid and transfer the positions authorized to be leased to that budget entity.
(b) Provide increases in the operating budget entity.
(c) Authorized lump-sum salary bonuses to leased employees; however, any lump-sum salary bonus above the automatic salary increases which may be contained in the General Appropriations Act must be funded from private sources.
(d) Approve increases in salary rate for positions which are leased; however, any salary rate above the automatic salary increases which may be contained in the General Appropriations Act must be funded from private sources.
(e) Waive any requirement for automatic salary increases which may be contained in the General Appropriations Act.
(2) Positions which are in the Senior Management Service System or the Selected Exempt Service System on the day before the state employee lease agreement takes effect shall remain in the respective system if the duties performed by the position during the assignment of the state employee lease agreement are comparable as determined by the department. Those Senior Management Service System or Selected Exempt Service System positions which are not determined comparable by the department and positions which are in other pay plans on the day before the lease agreement takes effect shall have the same salaries and benefits provided to employees of the Office of the Governor pursuant to s. 110.205(2)(l)2.
110.2037 Alternative benefits; tax-sheltered annual leave and sick leave payments and special compensation payments.
110.205 Career service; exemptions.
110.21 Shared employment.
110.211 Recruitment.
110.213 Selection.
110.2135 Preference in employment, reemployment, promotion, and retention.
110.215 Examinations and other employment qualification assessments administered to persons having disabilities.
110.217 Appointment actions and status.
110.219 Attendance and leave; general policies.
110.221 Parental or family medical leave.
110.224 Public employee performance evaluation system.
110.227 Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, layoffs, transfers, and grievances.
110.233 Political activities and unlawful acts prohibited.
110.235 Training.
110.201 Personnel rules, records, and reports.—
(1)(a) The department, in consultation with agencies that must comply with these rules, shall develop uniform personnel rules, guidelines, records, and reports relating to employees and positions in the career service. Agencies must comply with the uniform rules, except as provided in this section. The department may adopt rules that provide alternative requirements. Upon filing with the Department of State, the appropriate uniform rules will constitute the personnel rules for each agency subject to this act unless the Administration Commission grants an exception to a specific rule to an agency upon the agency’s request or unless the agency must comply with a statutory provision that conflicts with the uniform rules. If an agency must comply with a statutory provision that conflicts with the uniform rules, the agency must notify the Administration Commission, the Administrative Procedures Committee, and the appropriate standing committees of the Legislature and advise the standing committees whether the agency recommends revision of the statute to conform it to the uniform rules. Agencies are encouraged to propose methods of conforming statutory provisions to the uniform personnel rules.
(b) An agency may request an exception to the uniform personnel rules by filing a petition with the Administration Commission. The Administration Commission shall approve an exception when the exception is necessary to conform to any requirement imposed as a condition precedent to receipt of federal funds or to permit persons in this state to receive tax benefits under federal law, or as required for the most efficient operation of the agency as determined by the Administration Commission. The reasons for the exception must be published in the Florida Administrative Register.
(c) Agency rules that provide exceptions to the uniform personnel rules may not be filed with the Department of State unless the Administration Commission has approved the exceptions. Each agency that adopts rules that provide exceptions to the uniform rules or that must comply with statutory requirements that conflict with the uniform rules must have a separate chapter published in the Florida Administrative Code which clearly delineates the provisions of the agency’s rules which provide exceptions or are based upon a conflicting statutory requirement. Each alternative chosen from those authorized by the uniform rules must be specified. Each chapter must be organized in the same manner as the uniform rules.
(d) The department shall develop uniform forms and instructions to be used in reporting transactions which involve changes in an employee’s salary, status, performance, leave, fingerprint record, loyalty oath, payroll change, appointment action, or any additional transactions as the department may determine appropriate.
(e) It is the responsibility of the employing agency to maintain these records and all other records and reports prescribed in applicable rules on a current basis.
(2) Each employing agency shall operate within the uniform personnel rules promulgated by the department under this chapter. Any rule adopted by an employing agency that is an exception to the uniform personnel rules or that is based upon a statutory provision that an agency must follow but which conflicts with the uniform personnel rules may not prescribe any personnel policies inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. Neither the rules of the department nor the rules of an employing agency may include any benefits for career service employees which are in excess of, or in addition to, those authorized by this chapter.
(3) The rules adopted by the department and each employing agency under this part shall comply with all federal regulations necessary to permit the state agencies to be eligible to receive federal funds.
(4) The department shall coordinate with the Governor and consult with the Administration Commission on personnel matters falling within the scope of collective bargaining and shall represent the Governor in collective bargaining negotiations and other collective bargaining matters as may be necessary. All discussions between the department and the Governor, and between the department and the Administration Commission or agency heads, or between any of their respective representatives, relative to collective bargaining, shall be exempt from the provisions of s. 286.011, and all work products relative to collective bargaining developed in conjunction with such discussions shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
(5) The department shall develop a workforce report that contains data representative of the state’s human resources. The report should identify trends for planning and improving the management of the state’s human resources. The department shall submit this report annually to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
110.2035 Classification and compensation program.—
(1) The Department of Management Services shall establish and maintain a classification and compensation program addressing Career Service, Selected Exempt Service, and Senior Management Service positions. No action may be taken to fill any position until it has been classified in accordance with the classification plan.
(a) The department shall develop occupation profiles necessary for the establishment of new occupations or for the revision of existing occupations and shall adopt the appropriate occupation title and broadband level code for each occupation. Such occupation profiles, titles, and codes shall not constitute rules within the meaning of s. 120.52.
(b) The department shall be responsible for conducting periodic studies and surveys to ensure that the classification plan is maintained on a current basis.
(c) The department may review in a postaudit capacity the action taken by an employing agency in classifying or reclassifying a position.
(d) The department shall effect a classification change on any classification or reclassification action taken by an employing agency if the action taken by the agency was not based on the duties and responsibilities officially assigned the position as they relate to the concepts and description contained in the official occupation profile and the level definition defined in the occupational group characteristics adopted by the department.
(e) In cooperation and consultation with the employing agencies, the department shall adopt rules necessary to govern the administration of the classification plan. Such rules shall be approved by the Administration Commission prior to their adoption by the department.
(2) The program shall consist of the following:
(a) A position classification system using no more than 38 occupational groups and up to a 6-broadband level structure for each occupation within an occupational group. Additional occupational groups may be established only by the Executive Office of the Governor after consultation with the Legislature.
(b) A pay plan that shall provide broad-based pay bands for each occupational group and shall consist of no more than 25 pay bands.
(3) The following goals shall be considered in implementing and maintaining the program:
(a) The classification system must significantly reduce the need to reclassify positions due to work assignment and organizational changes by decreasing the number of classification changes required.
(b) The classification system must establish broadband levels allowing flexibility in organizational structure and must reduce the number of supervisory broadband levels.
(c) The classification and compensation program must emphasize pay administration and job-performance evaluation by management rather than emphasize use of the classification system to award salary increases.
(d) The pay administration system must contain provisions to allow managers the flexibility to move employees through the pay bands and provide for salary increase additives and lump-sum bonuses.
(4) The classification system shall be structured such that each confidential, managerial, and supervisory employee shall be included in the Selected Exempt Service, in accordance with part V of this chapter.
(5) The employing agency shall be responsible for the day-to-day application of classification rules promulgated by the department.
(a) The employing agency shall maintain on a current basis a position description for each authorized and established position assigned the agency. The position description shall include an accurate description of assigned duties and responsibilities and other pertinent information concerning a position and shall serve as a record of the official assignment of duties to the position. Such description shall be used in the comparison of positions to ensure uniformity of classifications.
(b) The employing agency shall have the authority and responsibility to classify positions authorized by the Legislature or authorized pursuant to s. 216.262; to classify positions that are added in lieu of positions deleted pursuant to s. 216.262; and to reclassify established positions. Classification and reclassification actions taken by an employing agency shall be within the occupations established by the department, shall be funded within the limits of currently authorized appropriations, and shall be in accordance with the uniform procedures adopted by the department.
(6) The department shall establish and maintain an equitable pay plan applicable to all occupations and be responsible for the overall review, coordination, and administration of the pay plan.
(a) The department shall provide for broad, market-based pay bands for occupations and shall establish guidelines for the employing agencies to move employees through these pay bands. The employing agencies may determine the appropriate salary within the pay bands and guidelines adopted by the department. Such pay bands, and the assignment of broadband levels to positions, are not rules within the meaning of s. 120.52.
(b) The department, in consultation with the Executive Office of the Governor and the legislative appropriations committees, shall conduct wage and salary surveys as necessary for the purpose of achieving an equitable, competitive, market-based pay policy.
(7) The department shall establish rules for the administration of pay additives and shall delegate to the employing agencies, if appropriate, the authority to implement pay additives. The agency shall use pay additives, as appropriate, within the guidelines established by the department and consistent with directions contained in the General Appropriations Act.
(a) The following pay additives are authorized:
1. Shift differentials.
2. On call.
3. Hazardous duties.
4. Lead-worker duties.
5. Temporary special duties — general.
6. Temporary special duties — absent coworker.
7. Trainer duties.
8. Competitive area differentials.
9. Critical market pay.
(b) Each state agency shall include in its annual legislative budget request a proposed written plan for implementing temporary special duties — general pay additives during the next fiscal year. Proposed revisions to an approved plan which become necessary during the fiscal year must be submitted by the agency to the department for review and recommendation to the Executive Office of the Governor. Such revisions may be implemented only after approval by the Executive Office of the Governor. A proposed revision is an action that is subject to s. 216.177.
(c) A new competitive area differential or a new critical market pay additive may not be implemented unless the department has reviewed and recommended such action and the Legislature has provided express authority to implement such action. This applies to an increase in the level of competitive area differentials or critical market pay additives, and to the initial establishment and implementation of a competitive area differential or critical market pay additive not in effect as of January 1, 2012.
(d) An agency may implement shift differential additives, on-call additives, hazardous duty additives, lead-worker additives, temporary special duty — absent coworker additives, and trainer duty additives as necessary to accomplish the agency’s mission and in accordance with department rules, instructions contained in the General Appropriations Act, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
(e) The department shall annually provide to the Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature a summary report of the pay additives implemented pursuant to this section.
(8) An agency may implement salary increase and decrease corrections due to administrative errors.
110.2037 Alternative benefits; tax-sheltered annual leave and sick leave payments and special compensation payments.—
(1) The Department of Management Services has authority to adopt tax-sheltered plans under s. 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for state employees who are eligible for payment for accumulated leave. The department, upon adoption of the plans, shall contract for a private vendor or vendors to administer the plans. These plans shall be limited to state employees who are over age 55 and who are: eligible for accumulated leave and special compensation payments and separating from employment with 10 years of service in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, or who are participating in the Deferred Retirement Option Program on or after July 1, 2001. The plans must provide benefits in a manner that minimizes the tax liability of the state and participants. The plans must be funded by employer contributions of payments for accumulated leave or special compensation payments, or both, as specified by the department. The plans must have received all necessary federal and state approval as required by law, must not adversely impact the qualified status of the Florida Retirement System defined benefit or defined contribution plans or the pretax benefits program, and must comply with the provisions of s. 112.65. Adoption of any plan is contingent on: the department receiving appropriate favorable rulings from the Internal Revenue Service; the department negotiating under the provisions of chapter 447, where applicable; and the Chief Financial Officer making appropriate changes to the state payroll system. The department’s request for proposals by vendors for such plans may require that the vendors provide market-risk or volatility ratings from recognized rating agencies for each of their investment products. The department shall provide for a system of continuous quality assurance oversight to ensure that the program objectives are achieved and that the program is prudently managed.
(2) Within 30 days after termination of employment, an employee may elect to withdraw the moneys without penalty by the plan administrator. If any employee is adversely affected by payment of an excise tax or any Internal Revenue Service penalty by electing to withdraw funds within 30 days, the plan shall include a provision which will provide the employee with no less cash than if the employee had not participated in the plan.
(3) These contracts may be used by any other pay plans or personnel systems in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government upon approval of the appropriate administrative authority.
(4) Notwithstanding the terminal pay provisions of s. 110.122, the department may contract for a tax-sheltered plan for leave and special compensation pay for employees terminating over age 55 with 10 years of service and for employees participating in the Deferred Retirement Option Program on or after July 1, 2001, and who are over age 55. The frequency of payments into the plan shall be determined by the department or as provided in the General Appropriations Act. This plan or plans shall provide the greatest tax benefits to the employees and maximize the savings to the state.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to remove plan participants from the scope of s. 110.122(5).
(1) CAREER POSITIONS.—The career service to which this part applies includes all positions not specifically exempted by this part, any other provisions of the Florida Statutes to the contrary notwithstanding.
(2) EXEMPT POSITIONS.—The exempt positions that are not covered by this part include the following:
(a) All officers of the executive branch elected by popular vote and persons appointed to fill vacancies in such offices. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salary and benefits for any such officer who serves as the head of a department shall be set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
(b) All members, officers, and employees of the legislative branch, except for the members, officers, and employees of the Florida Public Service Commission.
(c) All members, officers, and employees of the judicial branch.
(d) All officers and employees of the state universities and the academic personnel and academic administrative personnel of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. In accordance with the provisions of s. 1002.36, the salaries for academic personnel and academic administrative personnel of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind shall be set by the board of trustees for the school, subject only to the approval of the State Board of Education.
(e) The state chief information officer, the state chief data officer, and the state chief information security officer. The Department of Management Services shall set the salary and benefits of these positions in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
(f) All members of state boards and commissions, however selected. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salary and benefits for any full-time board or commission member shall be set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
(g) Judges, referees, and receivers.
(h) Patients or inmates in state institutions.
(i) All positions that are established for a limited period of time for the purpose of conducting a special study, project, or investigation and any person paid from an other-personal-services appropriation. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salaries for such positions and persons shall be set in accordance with rules established by the employing agency for other-personal-services payments pursuant to s. 110.131.
(j) The appointed secretaries and the State Surgeon General, assistant secretaries, deputy secretaries, and deputy assistant secretaries of all departments; the executive directors, assistant executive directors, deputy executive directors, and deputy assistant executive directors of all departments; the directors of all divisions and those positions determined by the department to have managerial responsibilities comparable to such positions, which positions include, but are not limited to, program directors, assistant program directors, district administrators, deputy district administrators, the Director of Central Operations Services of the Department of Children and Families, the State Transportation Development Administrator, the State Public Transportation and Modal Administrator, district secretaries, district directors of transportation development, transportation operations, transportation support, and the managers of the offices of the Department of Transportation specified in s. 20.23(3)(b). Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall set the salary and benefits of these positions and the positions of county health department directors and county health department administrators of the Department of Health in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
(k) The personal secretary to the incumbent of each position exempted in paragraphs (a), (e), and (j). Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall set the salary and benefits of these positions in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service.
(l) All officers and employees in the office of the Governor, including all employees at the Governor’s mansion, and employees within each separate budget entity, as defined in chapter 216, assigned to the Governor. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salary and benefits of these positions shall be set by the department as follows:
1. The chief of staff, the assistant or deputy chief of staff, general counsel, Director of Legislative Affairs, chief inspector general, Director of Cabinet Affairs, Director of Press Relations, Director of Planning and Budgeting, director of administration, director of state-federal relations, Director of Appointments, Director of External Affairs, Deputy General Counsel, Governor’s Liaison for Community Development, Chief of Staff for the Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Director of Planning and Budgeting, policy coordinators, and the director of each separate budget entity shall have their salaries and benefits established by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
2. The salaries and benefits of positions not established in sub-subparagraph a. shall be set by the employing agency. Salaries and benefits of employees whose professional training is comparable to that of licensed professionals under paragraph (r), or whose administrative responsibility is comparable to a bureau chief shall be set by the Selected Exempt Service. The department shall make the comparability determinations. Other employees shall have benefits set comparable to legislative staff, except leave shall be comparable to career service as if career service employees.
(m) All assistant division director, deputy division director, and bureau chief positions in any department, and those positions determined by the department to have managerial responsibilities comparable to such positions, which include, but are not limited to:
1. Positions in the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families which are assigned primary duties of serving as the superintendent or assistant superintendent of an institution.
2. Positions in the Department of Corrections which are assigned primary duties of serving as the warden, assistant warden, colonel, or major of an institution or that are assigned primary duties of serving as the circuit administrator or deputy circuit administrator.
3. Positions in the Department of Transportation which are assigned primary duties of serving as regional toll managers and managers of offices, as specified in s. 20.23(3)(b) and (4)(c).
4. Positions in the Department of Environmental Protection which are assigned the duty of an Environmental Administrator or program administrator.
5. Positions in the Department of Health which are assigned the duties of Environmental Administrator, Assistant County Health Department Director, and County Health Department Financial Administrator.
6. Positions in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles which are assigned primary duties of serving as captains in the Florida Highway Patrol.
Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall set the salary and benefits of the positions listed in this paragraph in accordance with the rules established for the Selected Exempt Service.
(n)1.a. In addition to those positions exempted by other paragraphs of this subsection, each department head may designate a maximum of 20 policymaking or managerial positions, as defined by the department and approved by the Administration Commission, as being exempt from the Career Service System. Career service employees who occupy a position designated as a position in the Selected Exempt Service under this paragraph shall have the right to remain in the Career Service System by opting to serve in a position not exempted by the employing agency. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall set the salary and benefits of these positions in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service; provided, however, that if the agency head determines that the general counsel, chief Cabinet aide, public information administrator or comparable position for a Cabinet officer, inspector general, or legislative affairs director has both policymaking and managerial responsibilities and if the department determines that any such position has both policymaking and managerial responsibilities, the salary and benefits for each such position shall be established by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
b. In addition, each department may designate one additional position in the Senior Management Service if that position reports directly to the agency head or to a position in the Senior Management Service and if any additional costs are absorbed from the existing budget of that department.
2. If otherwise exempt, employees of the Public Employees Relations Commission, the Commission on Human Relations, and the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission, upon the certification of their respective commission heads, may be provided for under this paragraph as members of the Senior Management Service, if otherwise qualified. However, the deputy general counsel of the Public Employees Relations Commission shall be compensated as members of the Selected Exempt Service.
(o) The executive director, deputy executive director, general counsel, official reporters, and division directors within the Public Service Commission and the personal secretary and personal assistant to each member of the Public Service Commission. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salary and benefits of the executive director, deputy executive directors, general counsel, Director of Administration, Director of Appeals, Director of Auditing and Financial Analysis, Director of Communications, Director of Consumer Affairs, Director of Electric and Gas, Director of Information Processing, Director of Legal Services, Director of Records and Reporting, Director of Research, and Director of Water and Sewer shall be set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service. The salary and benefits of the personal secretary and the personal assistant of each member of the commission and the official reporters shall be set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service, notwithstanding any salary limitations imposed by law for the official reporters.
(p) All military personnel of the Department of Military Affairs. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the salary and benefits for such military personnel shall be set by the Department of Military Affairs in accordance with the appropriate military pay schedule.
(q) The staff directors, assistant staff directors, district program managers, district program coordinators, district subdistrict administrators, district administrative services directors, district attorneys, and the Deputy Director of Central Operations Services of the Department of Children and Families. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall establish the salary and benefits for these positions in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service.
(r) All positions not otherwise exempt under this subsection which require as a prerequisite to employment: licensure as a physician pursuant to chapter 458, licensure as an osteopathic physician pursuant to chapter 459, licensure as a chiropractic physician pursuant to chapter 460, including those positions which are occupied by employees who are exempted from licensure pursuant to s. 409.352; licensure as an engineer pursuant to chapter 471, which are supervisory positions; or for 12 calendar months, which require as a prerequisite to employment that the employee have received the degree of Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and thereafter membership in The Florida Bar, except for any attorney who serves as an administrative law judge pursuant to s. 120.65 or for hearings conducted pursuant to s. 120.57(1)(a). Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall set the salary and benefits for these positions in accordance with the rules established for the Selected Exempt Service.
(s) The statewide prosecutor in charge of the Office of Statewide Prosecution of the Department of Legal Affairs and all employees in the office. The Department of Legal Affairs shall set the salary of these positions.
(t) The executive director of each board or commission established within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Department of Health. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the department shall establish the salary and benefits for these positions in accordance with the rules established for the Selected Exempt Service.
(u) All officers and employees of the State Board of Administration. The State Board of Administration shall set the salaries and benefits of these positions.
(v) Positions that are leased pursuant to a state employee lease agreement expressly authorized by the Legislature pursuant to s. 110.191.
(w) Managerial employees, as defined in s. 447.203(4), confidential employees, as defined in s. 447.203(5), and supervisory employees who spend the majority of their time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees, and planning and directing employees’ work, and who have the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action, including all employees serving as supervisors, administrators, and directors. Excluded are employees also designated as special risk or special risk administrative support and attorneys who serve as administrative law judges pursuant to s. 120.65 or for hearings conducted pursuant to s. 120.57(1)(a). Additionally, registered nurses licensed under chapter 464, dentists licensed under chapter 466, psychologists licensed under chapter 490 or chapter 491, nutritionists or dietitians licensed under part X of chapter 468, pharmacists licensed under chapter 465, psychological specialists licensed under chapter 491, physical therapists licensed under chapter 486, and speech therapists licensed under part I of chapter 468 are excluded, unless otherwise collectively bargained.
(x) All officers and employees of the Justice Administrative Commission, Office of the State Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, regional offices of capital collateral counsel, offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel, and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, including the circuit guardian ad litem offices.
(3) PARTIAL EXEMPTION OF DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.—Employees of the Department of Law Enforcement shall be subject to the provisions of s. 110.227, except in matters relating to transfer.
(4) DEFINITION OF DEPARTMENT.—When used in this section, the term “department” shall mean all departments and commissions of the executive branch, whether created by the State Constitution or chapter 20; the office of the Governor; and the Public Service Commission; however, the term “department” shall mean the Department of Management Services when used in the context of the authority to establish pay bands and benefits.
(5) POSITIONS EXEMPTED BY OTHER STATUTES.—If any position is exempted from the career service by any other statute and the personnel system to which that position is assigned is not specifically included in the statute, the position shall be placed in the Selected Exempt Service, and the department shall establish the pay band and benefits for that position in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service.
(6) EXEMPTION OF CHIEF INSPECTOR OF BOILER SAFETY PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.—In addition to those positions exempted from this part, there is hereby exempted from the Career Service System the chief inspector of the boiler inspection program of the Department of Financial Services. The pay band of this position shall be established by the Department of Management Services in accordance with the classification and pay plan established for the Selected Exempt Service.
(7) CARRYING LEAVE FORWARD.—If an employee is transferred or otherwise moves from the Career Service System into the Selected Exempt Service, all of the employee’s unused annual leave and unused sick leave shall carry forward with the employee.
110.21 Shared employment.—In order to promote part-time career employment opportunities at all levels in the career service, the department shall establish and maintain a plan for shared employment applicable to all classes in the career service and shall be responsible for the overall review, coordination, and administration of the shared-employment plan.
(1) The department shall establish uniform policies with respect to, and may delegate to the employing agencies the authority to administer, the following:
(a) The review of career service positions which, after such positions become vacant, may be filled on a shared-employment basis.
(b) Procedures and criteria to be used in connection with establishing or converting career service positions for shared employment.
(c) A continuing review and evaluation of the shared-employment program.
(d) Procedures for notifying the public of vacant shared-employment positions in an employing agency.
(2) In accordance with rules adopted by the department, each employing agency may establish or convert a percentage of its career service positions, not to exceed 10 percent, for the shared-employment program. However:
(a) No agency shall designate any position which is occupied by an employee as a shared-employment position without the consent of the incumbent, nor shall any agency designate a shared-employment position as full time without the consent of the incumbent or without a 90-day notice of such action.
(b) No person who is employed full time in an agency shall be required to accept shared employment as a condition of continued employment.
(3) The occupants of any position which has been converted from a full-time position to a shared-employment position shall retain the status of the former position with respect to bargaining unit membership.
(4) The employing agency shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the shared-employment program under the rules promulgated by the department.
(5) The department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this section; however, such rules shall be approved by the Administration Commission prior to their adoption by the department.
(1) Recruiting shall be planned and carried out in a manner that assures open competition based upon current and projected employing agency needs, taking into consideration the number and types of positions to be filled and the labor market conditions, with special emphasis placed on recruiting efforts to attract minorities, women, or other groups that are underrepresented in the workforce of the employing agency.
(2) Recruiting efforts to fill current or projected vacancies shall be carried out in the sound discretion of the agency head.
(3) Recruiting shall seek efficiency in advertising and may be assisted by a contracted vendor responsible for maintenance of the personnel data.
(4) All recruitment literature involving state position vacancies shall contain the phrase “An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer.”
(1) Selection for appointment from among the most qualified candidates shall be the sole responsibility of the employing agency. All new employees must successfully complete at least a 1-year probationary period before attainment of permanent status.
(2) Selection shall reflect efficiency and simplicity in hiring procedures. The agency head or his or her designee shall be required to document the qualifications of the selected candidate to ensure that the candidate meets the minimum requirements as specified by the employing agency, meets the licensure, certification, or registration requirements, if any, as specified by statute, and possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position. No other documentation or justification shall be required prior to selecting a candidate for a position.
110.2135 Preference in employment, reemployment, promotion, and retention.—
(1) Preference in employment, reemployment, promotion, and retention shall be given to an eligible veteran pursuant to ss. 295.07, 295.08, 295.085, and 295.09 as long as the veteran meets the minimum eligibility requirements and has the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the particular position.
(2) A disabled veteran employed as the result of being placed at the top of the appropriate employment list under the provisions of s. 295.08 or s. 295.085 shall be appointed for a probationary period of 1 year. At the end of such period, if the work of the veteran has been satisfactorily performed, the veteran will acquire permanent employment status and will be subject to the employment rules of the Department of Management Services and the veteran’s employing agency.
110.215 Examinations and other employment qualification assessments administered to persons having disabilities.—
(1) The purpose of this section is to further the policy of the state to encourage and assist persons having disabilities to achieve maximum personal and vocational independence through useful and productive gainful employment by eliminating unwarranted barriers to their qualifying competitively for state career service jobs.
(2) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Agency” includes each department and agency of the state.
(b) “Disability” means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual, or a record of having such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.
(c) “Examination” includes employment tests and other structured, systematic instruments used to assess the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, minimum qualifications, and other job-related requirements possessed by an applicant as a basis for any employment decision by an agency.
(3) An applicant for employment within the State Career Service System who has a disability that impairs sensory, speaking, or manual skills may require an agency to administer any examination to him or her in a format and manner that does not require use of an impaired skill, unless the test is designed to measure that skill. An applicant may request a reasonable accommodation in a test format on the basis of a disability.
(1) The department shall develop uniform rules regarding original appointment, promotion, demotion, reassignment, lateral action, separation, and status that must be used by state agencies.
(2) An employee appointed on probationary status shall attain permanent status in his or her current position upon successful completion of at least a 1-year probationary period. The length of the probationary period may not exceed 18 months. An employee who has not attained permanent status in his or her current position serves at the pleasure of the agency head and may be dismissed at the discretion of the agency head.
(3) If an employee who has received an internal agency promotion from a position in which the employee held permanent status is to be dismissed from the promotional position for failure to meet the established performance standards of the promotional position while in probationary status, the agency, before dismissal, shall return the employee to his or her former position, or to a position with substantially similar duties and responsibilities as the former position, if such a position is vacant. Such determinations by an agency are not appealable, and this subsection does not apply to dismissals for any other reason.
(1) The workday for each full-time state employee shall be 8 hours or as otherwise justified by the agency head.
(2) Overtime may be required for any employee.
(3) The granting of any leave of absence, with or without pay, shall be in writing and shall be approved by the agency head. An employee who is granted leave of absence with or without pay shall be an employee of the state while on such leave and shall be returned to the same position or a different position in the same class and same work location upon termination of the approved leave of absence. The agency head and the employee may agree in writing to other conditions and terms under which the leave is to be granted.
(4) Each agency shall keep an accurate record of all hours of work performed by each employee, as well as a complete and accurate record of all authorized leave which is approved. The ultimate responsibility for the accuracy and proper maintenance of all attendance and leave records shall be with the agency head.
(5) Rules shall be adopted by the department in cooperation and consultation with the agencies to implement the provisions of this section; however, such rules must be approved by the Administration Commission prior to their adoption. Such rules must provide for, but need not be limited to:
(a) The maximum responsibility and authority resting with each agency head to administer attendance and leave matters in the agency within the parameters of the rules adopted by the department.
(b) Creditable service in which 1 month of service credit is awarded for each calendar month that the employee is on the payroll of a state agency or during which the employee is on authorized leave without pay.
(c) Holidays as provided in s. 110.117.
(d) Overtime provisions.
(e) Annual leave provisions.
(f) Sick leave provisions.
(g) Parental leave provisions.
(h) Family medical leave provisions.
(i) Disability leave provisions.
(j) Compulsory disability leave provisions.
(k) Administrative leave provisions.
(l) Military leave provisions.
(m) Educational leave with pay provisions.
(n) Leave of absence without pay provisions.
(6) The leave benefits provided to Senior Management Service employees shall not exceed those provided to employees in the Selected Exempt Service.
(7) Each December, a permanent career service employee shall be entitled, subject to available funds, to a payout of up to 24 hours of unused annual leave as follows:
(a) A permanent career service employee must have an annual leave balance of no less than 24 hours, after the payout, in order to qualify for this benefit.
(b) No permanent career service employee shall receive a payout of greater than 240 hours over the course of the employee’s career with the state, including any leave received at the time of separation.
(1) As used in this section, the term “family” means a child, parent, or spouse, and the term “family medical leave” means leave requested by an employee for a serious family illness including an accident, disease, or condition that poses imminent danger of death, requires hospitalization involving an organ transplant, limb amputation, or other procedure of similar severity, or any mental or physical condition that requires constant in-home care. The term “parental leave” means leave for the father or mother of a child who is born to or adopted by that parent.
(2) The state shall not:
(a) Terminate the employment of any employee in the career service because of the pregnancy of the employee or the employee’s spouse or the adoption of a child by that employee.
(b) Refuse to grant to a career service employee parental or family medical leave without pay for a period not to exceed 6 months. Such leave shall commence on a date that is determined by the employee in consultation with the attending physician following notification to the employer in writing, and that is approved by the employer.
(c) Deny a career service employee the use of and payment for annual leave credits for parental or family medical leave. Such leave shall commence on a date determined by the employee in consultation with the attending physician following notification to the employer in writing.
(d) Deny a career service employee the use of and payment for accrued sick leave or family sick leave for any reason deemed necessary by a physician or as established by policy.
(e) Require that a career service employee take a mandatory parental or family medical leave.
(3) Upon returning at the end of parental or family medical leave of absence, such employee shall be reinstated to the same job or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay and with seniority, retirement, fringe benefits, and other service credits accumulated prior to the leave period. If any portion of the parental or family medical leave is paid leave, the employee shall be entitled to accumulate all benefits granted under paid leave status.
110.224 Public employee performance evaluation system.—A public employee performance evaluation system shall be established as a basis for evaluating and improving the performance of the state’s workforce, to inform employees of strong and weak points in the employee’s performance, to identify training needs, and to award lump-sum bonuses in accordance with s. 110.1245(2).
(1) Upon original appointment, promotion, demotion, or reassignment, a job description of the position assigned must be made available to the career service employee. The job description may be made available in an electronic format.
(2) Each employee must have a performance evaluation at least annually, and the employee must receive an oral and written assessment of his or her performance evaluation. The performance evaluation may include a plan of action for improvement of the employee’s performance based on the work expectations or performance standards applicable to the position as determined by the agency head.
(3) The department may adopt rules to administer the public employee performance evaluation system which establish procedures for performance evaluation, review periods, and forms.
110.227 Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, layoffs, transfers, and grievances.—
(1) Any employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position may be suspended or dismissed only for cause. Cause shall include, but is not limited to, poor performance, negligence, inefficiency or inability to perform assigned duties, insubordination, violation of the provisions of law or agency rules, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misconduct, habitual drug abuse, or conviction of any crime. The agency head shall ensure that all employees of the agency have reasonable access to the agency’s personnel manual.
(2)(a) The department shall establish rules and procedures for the suspension, reduction in pay, transfer, layoff, demotion, and dismissal of employees in the career service. Except with regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, rules regarding layoff procedures shall not include any system whereby a career service employee with greater seniority has the option of selecting a different position not being eliminated, but either vacant or already occupied by an employee of less seniority, and taking that position, commonly referred to as “bumping.”
(b) For the implementation of layoffs as defined in s. 110.107, the department shall develop rules requiring retention of the agency’s employees based upon objective measures that give consideration to comparative merit, demonstrated skills, the employee’s experience, and the employee’s length of service. Such rules shall be approved by the Administration Commission before their adoption by the department.
(3)(a) With regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, when a layoff becomes necessary, such layoff shall be conducted within the competitive area identified by the agency head and approved by the Department of Management Services. Such competitive area shall be established taking into consideration the similarity of work; the organizational unit, which may be by agency, department, division, bureau, or other organizational unit; and the commuting area for the work affected.
(b) With regard to law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, or professional health care providers, layoff procedures shall be developed to establish the relative merit and fitness of employees and shall include a formula for uniform application among all employees in the competitive area, taking into consideration the type of appointment, the length of service, and the evaluations of the employee’s performance within the last 5 years of employment.
(4) A grievance process shall be available to career service employees who have satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in their current positions. A grievance is defined as the dissatisfaction that occurs when an employee believes that any condition affecting the employee is unjust, inequitable, or a hindrance to effective operation. Claims of discrimination and sexual harassment or claims related to suspensions, reductions in pay, demotions, and dismissals are not subject to the career service grievance process. The following procedures shall apply to any grievance filed pursuant to this subsection, except that all timeframes may be extended in writing by mutual agreement:
(a) Step One.—The employee may submit a signed, written grievance on a form provided by the agency to his or her supervisor within 14 calendar days following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the grievance. The supervisor must meet with the employee to discuss the grievance and provide a written response to the employee within 7 business days following receipt of the grievance.
(b) Step Two.—If the employee is dissatisfied with the response of his or her supervisor, the employee may submit the written grievance to the agency head or his or her designee within 7 business days following receipt of the supervisor’s written response. The agency head or his or her designee must meet with the employee to discuss the grievance within 5 business days following receipt of the grievance. The agency head or his or her designee must respond in writing to the employee within 5 business days following the meeting. The written decision of the agency head shall be the final authority for all grievances filed pursuant to this subsection. Such grievances may not be appealed beyond Step Two.
(5)(a) A career service employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position and who is subject to a suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, involuntary transfer of more than 50 miles by highway, or dismissal shall receive written notice of such action at least 10 days prior to the date such action is to be taken. Subsequent to such notice, and prior to the date the action is to be taken, the affected employee shall be given an opportunity to appear before the agency or official taking the action to answer orally and in writing the charges against him or her. The notice to the employee required by this paragraph may be delivered to the employee personally or may be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Such actions shall be appealable to the Public Employees Relations Commission as provided in subsection (6). Written notice of any such appeal shall be filed by the employee with the commission within 21 calendar days after the date on which the notice of suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, involuntary transfer of more than 50 miles by highway, or dismissal is received by the employee.
(b) In extraordinary situations such as when the retention of a career service employee who has satisfactorily completed at least a 1-year probationary period in his or her current position would result in damage to state property, would be detrimental to the best interest of the state, or would result in injury to the employee, a fellow employee, or some other person, such employee may be suspended or dismissed without 10 days’ prior notice, provided that written or oral notice of such action, evidence of the reasons therefor, and an opportunity to rebut the charges are furnished to the employee prior to such dismissal or suspension. Such notice may be delivered to the employee personally or may be sent by certified mail with return receipt requested. Agency compliance with the foregoing procedure requiring notice, evidence, and an opportunity for rebuttal must be substantiated. Any employee who is suspended or dismissed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph may appeal to the Public Employees Relations Commission as provided in subsection (6). Written notice of any such appeal shall be filed with the commission by the employee within 21 days after the date on which the notice of suspension, reduction in pay, demotion, or dismissal is received by the employee.
(6) The following procedures shall apply to appeals filed pursuant to subsection (5) with the Public Employees Relations Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission:
(a) The commission must conduct a hearing within 60 calendar days following the filing of a notice of appeal. No extension of time for the hearing may exceed 30 calendar days, absent exceptional circumstances, and no extension of time may be granted without the consent of all parties. Discovery may be granted only upon the showing of extraordinary circumstances. A party requesting discovery shall demonstrate a substantial need for the information requested and an inability to obtain relevant information by other means. Except where inconsistent with the requirements of this subsection, the provisions of s. 447.503(4) and (5) and chapter 120 apply to proceedings held pursuant to this subsection.
(b) A person may represent himself or herself in proceedings before the commission or may be represented by legal counsel or by any individual who qualifies as a representative pursuant to rules adopted by the commission.
(c) If the commission finds that cause did not exist for the agency action, the commission shall reverse the decision of the agency head and the employee shall be reinstated with or without back pay. If the commission finds that cause existed for the agency action, the commission shall affirm the decision of the agency head. The commission may not reduce the penalty imposed by the agency head, except in the case of law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, and professional health care providers, if the commission makes specific written findings of mitigation.
(d) A recommended order shall be issued by the hearing officer within 30 days following the hearing. Exceptions to the recommended order shall be filed within 15 days after the recommended order is issued. The final order shall be filed by the commission no later than 45 calendar days after the hearing or after the filing of exceptions or oral arguments if granted.
(e) Final orders issued by the commission pursuant to paragraph (d) shall be reviewable as provided in s. 447.504.
(7) Other than for law enforcement or correctional officers, firefighters, and professional health care providers, each suspension, dismissal, demotion, or reduction in pay must be reviewed without consideration of any other case or set of facts.
110.233 Political activities and unlawful acts prohibited.—
(1) No person shall be appointed to, demoted, or dismissed from any position in the career service, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the career service, because of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, religious creed, or political opinion or affiliation.
(2) No person shall use or promise to use, directly or indirectly, any official authority or influence, whether possessed or anticipated, to secure or attempt to secure for any person an appointment or advantage in appointment to a position in the career service, or an increase in pay or other advantage in employment in any such position, for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action of any person or for any consideration; however, letters of inquiry, recommendations, and references by public employees or public officials shall not be considered political pressure unless any such letter contains a threat, intimidation, or irrelevant, derogatory, or false information. For the purposes of this section, the term “political pressure,” in addition to any appropriate meaning which may be ascribed thereto by lawful authority, includes the use of official authority or influence in any manner prohibited by this chapter.
(3) No person shall, directly or indirectly, give, render, pay, offer, solicit, or accept any money, service, or other valuable consideration for or on account of any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion to, or any advantage in, a position in the career service.
(4) As an individual, each employee retains all rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and laws of the state and the Constitution and laws of the United States. However, no employee in the career service shall:
(a) Hold, or be a candidate for, public office while in the employment of the state or take any active part in a political campaign while on duty or within any period of time during which the employee is expected to perform services for which he or she receives compensation from the state. However, when authorized by his or her agency head and approved by the department as involving no interest which conflicts or activity which interferes with his or her state employment, an employee in the career service may be a candidate for or hold local public office. The department shall prepare and make available to all affected personnel who make such request a definite set of rules and procedures consistent with the provisions herein.
(b) Use the authority of his or her position to secure support for, or oppose, any candidate, party, or issue in a partisan election or affect the results thereof.
(5) No state employee or official shall use any promise of reward or threat of loss to encourage or coerce any employee to support or contribute to any political issue, candidate, or party.
(6) The department shall adopt by rule procedures for Career Service System employees that require disclosure to the agency head of any application for or offer of employment, gift, contractual relationship, or financial interest with any individual, partnership, association, corporation, utility, or other organization, whether public or private, doing business with or subject to regulation by the agency.
(1) State agencies shall implement training programs that encompass modern management principles, and that provide the framework to develop human resources through empowerment, training, and rewards for productivity enhancement; to continuously improve the quality of services; and to satisfy the expectations of the public.
(2) Each employing agency shall annually evaluate and report to the department the training it has implemented and the progress it has made in the area of training.
(3) As approved by the Legislature by law, each employing agency may use a specified percentage of its salary budget to implement training programs.
110.406 Senior Management Service; data collection.
110.401 Declaration of policy.—This part creates a uniform system for attracting, retaining, and developing highly competent senior-level managers at the highest executive-management-level agency positions in order for the highly complex programs and agencies of state government to function effectively, efficiently, and productively. The Legislature recognizes that senior-level management is an established profession and that the public interest is best served by developing and refining the management skills of its Senior Management Service employees. Accordingly, training and management-development programs are regarded as a major administrative function within agencies.
(1) The Senior Management Service is created as a separate system of personnel administration for positions in the executive branch the duties and responsibilities of which are primarily and essentially policymaking or managerial in nature.
(2) The Senior Management Service shall be limited to those positions which are exempt from the Career Service System by s. 110.205(2) and for which the salaries and benefits are set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Senior Management Service.
(1) In order to implement the purposes of this part, the Department of Management Services, after approval by the Administration Commission, shall adopt and amend rules providing for:
(a) A system for employing, promoting, or reassigning managers that is responsive to organizational or program needs. In no event shall the number of positions included in the Senior Management Service exceed 1.0 percent of the total full-time equivalent positions in the career service. The department shall deny approval to establish any position within the Senior Management Service which would exceed the limitation established in this paragraph. The department shall report that the limitation has been reached to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as soon as practicable after such event occurs. Employees in the Senior Management Service shall serve at the pleasure of the agency head and shall be subject to suspension, dismissal, reduction in pay, demotion, transfer, or other personnel action at the discretion of the agency head. Such personnel actions are exempt from the provisions of chapter 120.
(b) A performance appraisal system which shall take into consideration individual and organizational efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness.
(c) A classification plan and a salary and benefit plan that provides appropriate incentives for the recruitment and retention of outstanding management personnel and provides for salary increases based on performance.
(d) A system of rating duties and responsibilities for positions within the Senior Management Service and the qualifications of candidates for those positions.
(e) A system for documenting actions taken on agency requests for approval of position exemptions and special pay increases.
(f) Requirements regarding recordkeeping by agencies with respect to Senior Management Service positions. Such records shall be audited periodically by the Department of Management Services to determine agency compliance with the provisions of this part and the rules of the Department of Management Services.
(g) Other procedures relating to personnel administration to carry out the purposes of this part.
(h) A program of affirmative and positive action that will ensure full utilization of women and minorities in Senior Management Service positions.
(2) The powers, duties, and functions of the Department of Management Services shall include responsibility for the policy administration of the Senior Management Service.
(3) The department shall have the following additional responsibilities:
(a) To establish and administer a professional development program that shall provide for the systematic development of managerial, executive, or administrative skills. Such a program shall include the following topics:
1. Improving the performance of individual employees. This topic provides skills in understanding and motivating individual performance, providing effective and timely evaluations of employees, and making recommendations on performance incentives and disincentives.
2. Improving the performance of groups of employees. This topic provides skills in creating and maintaining productive workgroups and making recommendations on performance incentives and disincentives.
3. Relating the efforts of employees to the goals of the organization. This topic provides skills in linking the work of individual employees to the goals of the agency program, service, or activity.
4. Strategic planning. This topic provides the skills for defining agency business processes, measuring performance of such processes, and reengineering such processes for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Team leadership. This topic provides skills in effective group processes for organizational motivation and productivity based on proven business and military applications that emphasize respect for and courtesy to the public.
(b) To promote public understanding of the purposes, policies, and programs of the Senior Management Service.
(c) To approve contracts of employing agencies with persons engaged in the business of conducting multistate executive searches to identify qualified and available applicants for Senior Management Service positions for which the department sets salaries in accordance with the classification and pay plan. Such contracts may be entered by the agency head only after completion of an unsuccessful in-house search. The department shall establish, by rule, the minimum qualifications for persons desiring to conduct executive searches, including a requirement for the use of contingency contracts. These rules shall ensure that such persons possess the requisite capacities to perform effectively at competitive industry prices. These rules shall also comply with state and federal laws and regulations governing equal opportunity employment.
(4) All policies and procedures adopted by the department regarding the Senior Management Service shall comply with all federal regulations necessary to permit the state agencies to be eligible to receive federal funds.
(5) The department shall adopt, by rule, procedures for Senior Management Service employees that require disclosure to the agency head of any application for or offer of employment, gift, contractual relationship, or financial interest with any individual, partnership, association, corporation, utility, or other organization, whether public or private, doing business with or subject to regulation by the agency.
110.405 Advisory committees.—The Secretary of Management Services may at any time appoint an ad hoc or continuing advisory committee consisting of members of the Senior Management Service or other persons knowledgeable in the field of personnel management. Any such committee shall consist of not more than nine members, who shall serve at the pleasure and meet at the call of the secretary, to advise and consult with the secretary on such matters affecting the Senior Management Service as the secretary requests. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. The secretary may periodically hire a consultant with expertise in personnel management to advise him or her with respect to the administration of the Senior Management Service.
110.406 Senior Management Service; data collection.—
(1) The department shall annually compile data regarding the administration of the Senior Management Service.
(2) The data required by this section shall include:
(a) A detailed description of the specific actions that have been taken by the department to implement the provisions of s. 110.403.
(b) Any recommendations and proposals for legislation which the secretary may have with respect to improving the operation and administration of the Senior Management Service.
(c) In addition, as needed, the data shall include:
1. A pricing analysis based on a market survey of positions comparable to those included in the Senior Management Service and recommendations with respect to whether, and to what extent, revisions to the pay bands for the Senior Management Service classifications should be implemented.
2. An analysis of actual salary levels for each classification within the Senior Management Service, indicating the mean salary for each classification within the Senior Management Service and the deviation from such mean with respect to each agency’s salary practice in each classification; a review of the duties and responsibilities in relation to the incumbents’ salary levels, credentials, skills, knowledge, and abilities; and an opinion as to whether the salary practices reflected thereby indicate interagency salary inequities among positions within the Senior Management Service.
(3) To assist in the preparation of the data required by this section, the secretary may hire a consultant with expertise in the field of personnel management and may use the services of the advisory committee authorized in s. 110.405.
110.503 Responsibilities of departments and agencies.
110.504 Volunteer benefits.
110.501 Definitions.—As used in this act:
(1) “Material donor” means any person who provides funds, materials, employment, or opportunities for clients of state departments or agencies, without monetary or material compensation.
(2) “Occasional-service volunteer” means any person who offers to provide a one-time or occasional voluntary service.
(3) “Regular-service volunteer” means any person engaged in specific voluntary service activities on an ongoing or continuous basis.
(4) “Volunteer” means any person who, of his or her own free will, provides goods or services, or conveys an interest in or otherwise consents to the use of real property pursuant to chapter 260, to any state department or agency, or nonprofit organization, with no monetary or material compensation. A person registered and serving in Older American Volunteer Programs authorized by the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. No. 93-113), shall also be defined as a volunteer and shall incur no civil liability as provided by s. 768.1355. A volunteer shall be eligible for payment of volunteer benefits as specified in Pub. L. No. 93-113, this section, and s. 430.204.
(1) Every state department or state agency, through the head of the department or agency, secretary of the department, or executive director of the department, is authorized to recruit, train, and accept, without regard to requirements of the State Career Service System as set forth in part II of this chapter, the services of volunteers, including regular-service volunteers, occasional-service volunteers, or material donors, to assist in programs administered by the department or agency.
(2) Volunteers recruited, trained, or accepted by any state department or agency shall not be subject to any provisions of law relating to state employment, to any collective bargaining agreement between the state and any employees’ association or union, or to any laws relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave time, and employee benefits, except those consistent with s. 110.504. However, all volunteers shall comply with applicable department or agency rules.
(3) Every department or agency utilizing the services of volunteers is hereby authorized to provide such incidental reimbursement or benefit consistent with the provisions of s. 110.504, including transportation costs, lodging, and subsistence, recognition, and other accommodations as the department or agency deems necessary to assist, recognize, reward, or encourage volunteers in performing their functions. No department or agency shall expend or authorize an expenditure therefor in excess of the amount provided for to the department or agency by appropriation in any fiscal year.
(4) Persons working with state agencies pursuant to this part shall be considered as unpaid independent volunteers and shall not be entitled to reemployment assistance.
110.503 Responsibilities of departments and agencies.—Each department or agency utilizing the services of volunteers shall:
(1) Take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to develop meaningful opportunities for volunteers involved in state-administered programs.
(2) Comply with the uniform rules adopted by the Department of Management Services governing the recruitment, screening, training, responsibility, use, and supervision of volunteers.
(3) Take such actions as are necessary to ensure that volunteers understand their duties and responsibilities.
(4) Take such actions as are necessary and appropriate to ensure a receptive climate for citizen volunteers.
(5) Provide for the recognition of volunteers who have offered continuous and outstanding service to state-administered programs. Each department or agency using the services of volunteers is authorized to incur expenditures not to exceed $100 each plus applicable taxes for suitable framed certificates, plaques, or other tokens of recognition to honor, reward, or encourage volunteers for their service.
(6) Recognize prior volunteer service as partial fulfillment of state employment requirements for training and experience pursuant to rules adopted by the Department of Management Services.
(1) Meals may be furnished without charge to regular-service volunteers serving state departments, provided the scheduled assignment extends over an established meal period, and to occasional-service volunteers at the discretion of the department head. No department shall expend or authorize any expenditure in excess of the amount provided for by appropriation in any fiscal year.
(2) Lodging, if available, may be furnished temporarily, in case of a department emergency, at no charge to regular-service volunteers.
(3) Transportation reimbursement may be furnished those volunteers whose presence is determined to be necessary to the department. Volunteers may utilize state vehicles in the performance of department-related duties. No department shall expend or authorize an expenditure in excess of the amount appropriated in any fiscal year.
(4) Volunteers shall be covered by state liability protection in accordance with the definition of a volunteer and the provisions of s. 768.28.
(5) Volunteers shall be covered by workers’ compensation in accordance with chapter 440.
(6) Incidental recognition benefits or incidental nonmonetary awards may be furnished to volunteers serving in state departments to award, recognize, or encourage volunteers for their service. The awards may not cost in excess of $100 each plus applicable taxes.
(7) Volunteers, including volunteers receiving a stipend as provided by the Domestic Service Volunteer Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. No. 93-113), shall be covered by s. 768.1355, the Florida Volunteer Protection Act.
110.604 Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, and transfers.
110.605 Powers and duties; personnel rules, records, reports, and performance appraisal.
110.606 Selected Exempt Service; data collection.
110.601 Declaration of policy.—This part creates a system of personnel management the purpose of which is to deliver high-quality performance by those employees in select exempt classifications by facilitating the state’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in these positions, while also providing sufficient management flexibility to ensure that the workforce is responsive to agency needs. The Legislature recognizes that the public interest is best served by developing and refining the technical and managerial skills of its Selected Exempt Service employees, and, to this end, technical training and management development programs are regarded as a major administrative function within agencies.
110.602 Selected Exempt Service; creation, coverage.—The Selected Exempt Service is created as a separate system of personnel administration for select exempt positions. Such positions shall include, and shall be limited to, those positions which are exempt from the Career Service System pursuant to s. 110.205(2) and (5) and for which the salaries and benefits are set by the department in accordance with the rules of the Selected Exempt Service. The department shall designate all positions included in the Selected Exempt Service as either managerial/policymaking, professional, or nonmanagerial/nonpolicymaking.
110.603 Pay and benefits.—The department shall adopt:
(1) A classification plan and a pay plan consisting of pay bands appropriate to the positions included in the Selected Exempt Service and which provides for salary increases based on performance. Such pay bands shall be designed to attract and retain qualified personnel for the Selected Exempt Service.
(2) A pay plan and benefit package for the Selected Exempt Service which provides for greater pay and benefits overall than are provided for the Career Service and less pay and benefits overall than are provided for the Senior Management Service.
110.604 Suspensions, dismissals, reductions in pay, demotions, and transfers.—Employees in the Selected Exempt Service shall serve at the pleasure of the agency head and shall be subject to suspension, dismissal, reduction in pay, demotion, transfer, or other personnel action at the discretion of the agency head. Such personnel actions are exempt from the provisions of chapter 120.
110.605 Powers and duties; personnel rules, records, reports, and performance appraisal.—
(1) The department shall adopt and administer uniform personnel rules, records, and reports relating to employees and positions in the Selected Exempt Service, as well as any other rules and procedures relating to personnel administration which are necessary to carry out the purposes of this part.
(a) The department shall develop uniform forms and instructions to be used in reporting transactions which involve changes in an employee’s salary, status, performance, leave, fingerprint record, loyalty oath, payroll change, or appointment action or any additional transactions as the department may deem appropriate.
(b) The department shall develop a uniform performance appraisal system for employees and positions in the Selected Exempt Service covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Each employing agency shall develop a performance appraisal system for all other employees and positions in the Selected Exempt System. Such agency system shall take into consideration individual and organizational efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness.
(c) The employing agency must maintain, on a current basis, all records and reports required by applicable rules. The department shall periodically audit employing agency records to determine compliance with the provisions of this part and the rules of the department.
(d) The department shall develop a program of affirmative and positive actions that will ensure full utilization of women and minorities in Selected Exempt Service positions.
(2) Each employing agency shall operate within the uniform personnel rules adopted by the department pursuant to the provisions of this part. Each employing agency may adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this part, but such rules shall not prescribe any personnel policies inconsistent with the provisions of this part or the rules of the department.
(3) The rules adopted by the department and each employing agency under this part shall comply with all federal regulations necessary to permit the state agencies to be eligible to receive federal funds.
(4) The department shall adopt by rule procedures for Selected Exempt Service employees that require disclosure to the agency head of any application for or offer of employment, gift, contractual relationship, or financial interest with any individual, partnership, association, corporation, utility, or other organization, whether public or private, doing business with or subject to regulation by the agency.
(5) The secretary may periodically hire a consultant with expertise in personnel management to advise him or her with respect to the administration of the Selected Exempt Service.
110.606 Selected Exempt Service; data collection.—
(1) The department shall annually compile data regarding the administration of the Selected Exempt Service.
(2) The data required by this section shall include:
(a) A detailed description of the specific actions that have been taken by the department to implement the provisions of this part.
(b) Any recommendations and proposals for legislation which the secretary may have with respect to improving the operation and administration of the Selected Exempt Service.
(c) In addition, as needed:
1. A pricing analysis based on a market survey of positions comparable to those included in the Selected Exempt Service and recommendations with respect to whether, and to what extent, revisions to the pay bands for the Selected Exempt Service classifications should be implemented.
2. An analysis of actual salary levels for each classification within the Selected Exempt Service, indicating the mean salary for each classification within the Selected Exempt Service and the deviation from such means with respect to each agency’s salary practice in each classification; reviewing the duties and responsibilities in relation to the incumbents’ salary levels, credentials, skills, knowledge, and abilities; and discussing whether the salary practices reflected thereby indicate interagency salary inequities among positions within the Selected Exempt Service.
(3) To assist in the preparation of the data required by this section, the secretary may hire a consultant with expertise in the field of personnel management.
