Relating to requirements for the hiring of civil service positions

This bill relates to civil service requirements for the hiring of certain city public safety positions. Under current law, Code chapter 400 (civil service) sets forth a variety of provisions relating to hiring civil service employees, including examinations, probationary periods, veteran preferences, and other qualifications. The bill allows an applicant changing law enforcement agencies to forego the civil service examination if the applicant meets certain criteria. The bill allows a city council to suspend the requirement that a civil service commission submit to the city council a certified list of persons who qualify with the highest standing as a result of each examination for an original appointment for the hiring of sworn public safety personnel. A suspension shall not be in effect for more than one year, but a city council may immediately vote to implement a new suspension upon the expiration of the prior suspension. Required hiring practices shall be immediately reinstated upon the expiration of a suspension. A city council may vote to reinstate hiring practices prior to the expiration of a suspension. A subsequent vote to suspend required hiring practices is considered a vote for a new suspension.