Opinion ID: 2634751
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Disciplinary Review by the State Personnel Board

Text: The legislative scheme governing State Personnel Board review of disciplinary actions appears in the Government Code and is described in this court's 1975 decision in Skelly v. State Personnel Board (1975) 15 Cal.3d 194, 124 Cal.Rptr. 14, 539 P.2d 774. Below we quote relevant portions of that decision. (Bracketed material reflects statutory changes made after Skelly. ) Under section 19574 ... the appointing power must serve upon the employee and file with the Board a written notice specifying: (1) the nature of the punishment, (2) its effective date, (3) the causes therefor, (4) [a statement advising the employee of the right to answer the charges], and (5) the employee's right to appeal. (§ 19574.) Except in cases involving minor disciplinary matters, the employee has a right to an evidentiary hearing to challenge the action taken against him. To obtain such a hearing, the employee must file with the Board a written answer to the notice of punitive action.... The answer is deemed to constitute a denial of all allegations contained in the notice which are not expressly admitted as well as a request for a hearing or investigation. (§ 19575; [citation].) Failure to file an answer within the specified time period results in the punitive action becoming final. (§ 19575.) In cases where the affected employee files an answer within the prescribed period, the Board, or its authorized representative, must hold a hearing within a reasonable time. (§ 19578; [citation].) As a general rule, the case is referred to the Board's hearing officer who conducts a hearing and prepares a proposed decision which may be adopted, modified or rejected by the Board. (§ 19582.) ... If the Board determines that the cause or causes for which the employee was disciplined were insufficient or not sustained by the employee's acts or omissions, or that the employee was justified in engaging in the conduct which formed the basis of the charges against him, it may modify or revoke the punitive action.... (§ 19583.) ... In the case of an adverse decision by the Board, [either party] may petition ... for a rehearing. (§ 19586.) As an alternative or in addition to the rehearing procedure, [either party] may seek review of the Board's action by means of a petition for writ of administrative mandamus filed in the superior court. (§ 19588; Boren v. State Personnel Board (1951) 37 Cal.2d 634, 637, 234 P.2d 981.) ( Skelly, supra, 15 Cal.3d at pp. 202-205, 124 Cal.Rptr. 14, 539 P.2d 774, fns. omitted.) Because the State Personnel Board derives its adjudicatory authority from the state Constitution rather than from a legislative enactment, a superior court considering a petition for administrative mandate must defer to the Board's factual findings if they are supported by substantial evidence. ( Skelly, supra, 15 Cal.3d at p. 217, fn. 31, 124 Cal.Rptr. 14, 539 P.2d 774.)