§8–203.

    (a)    (1)    This subsection applies to employees in the Maryland Department of Health who:

            (i)    have direct contact with patients; and

            (ii)    are in a position classified in one of the following bargaining units:

                1.    Bargaining Unit D for Health and Human Services Non–Professionals;

                2.    Bargaining Unit E for Health Care Professionals;

                3.    Bargaining Unit F for Social and Human Services Professionals; or

                4.    Bargaining Unit H for Public Safety and Security Personnel.

        (2)    The pay rate for an employee at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital who is not receiving a forensic pay premium shall be at least two grades higher than the employee’s pay rate effective June 30, 2020.

        (3)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the pay rate for an employee in the Behavioral Health Administration or the Developmental Disabilities Administration shall be equal to the pay rate effective July 1, 2020, for similarly trained, qualified, or licensed employees at the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital if the employee works at a facility that had a forensic admission rate greater than 75% for the immediately preceding fiscal year.

        (4)    This subsection may not be construed to decrease the pay rate of any employee.

    (b)    (1)    For any facility that had a forensic admission rate greater than 75% for the immediately preceding fiscal year, the facility shall:

            (i)    beginning July 1, 2020, ensure that any new employees hired for a security personnel position at the facility are employed in a Security Attendant position;

            (ii)    beginning July 1, 2020, reclassify any employee in a Building Security Officer position into a Security Attendant position on the successful completion by the employee of a correctional training course approved by the Correctional Training Commission under Title 8, Subtitle 2 of the Correctional Services Article; and

            (iii)    beginning July 1, 2021, ensure that the Security Attendant employee–to–patient ratio is not less than:

                1.    one Security Attendant employee for every three patients in maximum security facilities; and

                2.    one Security Attendant employee for every 12 patients in minimum security facilities.

        (2)    This subsection may not be construed to eliminate the position, or decrease pay, of any employee in a Building Security Officer position who chooses not to participate in, or fails, a correctional training course approved by the Correctional Training Commission under Title 8, Subtitle 2 of the Correctional Services Article.