Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 23, § 1657. Merit system covering department personnel; applicability of state civil service laws

A. The administrator shall provide for a merit system covering all personnel in Louisiana Works who administer programs and services under the Louisiana Employment Security Law. In connection therewith he shall, by suitable regulation, provide for the classification of positions and for compensation plans for positions so classified; for the holding of examinations to determine the relative fitness of applicants for positions in accordance with the minimum qualifications set forth in the classification plan; for appointments, promotions, and demotions based upon ratings of efficiency and fitness; and for a system of terminations for cause. The administrator may by regulation impose limitations upon political activities on the part of employees of Louisiana Works who administer programs and services under the Louisiana Employment Security Law which may be in addition to any limitations otherwise provided by law; he may also adopt such regulations as may be necessary to meet personnel standards promulgated by the Social Security Board pursuant to the Social Security Act, as amended, and the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49(c)) and provide for the maintenance of the merit system established under this Section in conjunction with any merit system for any other state agency which meets the personnel standards promulgated by the Social Security Board.

B. Whenever in this Chapter the Social Security Board is referred to, it shall be taken to mean the board created by Act of Congress approved August 14, 1935 (49 Stat. 620),  1 or any successor thereto. So long as any law adopted by the Legislature of Louisiana providing for any general merit system of personnel administration in the civil service of this state continues in effective operation, and so long as standards promulgated by the Federal Social Security Board, under the Social Security Act, as amended, are met, the provisions of this Section shall be of no force and effect, but merit system status acquired by employees under a merit system established in accordance with the provisions of this Section, and appointments made and registers established under such system are recognized by the state agency administering such a general merit system of personnel administration in the civil service of the state.