Government Code section 19590

Notwithstanding Article 1 (commencing with Section 19570), persons who have been designated as managerial employees under Section 3513 from the beginning of their current appointment, but whose positions are not in the career executive category, shall hold their appointments subject to the following adverse action process:

(a)

The employee may be demoted, dismissed, or otherwise disciplined under this section for any of the causes specified in Section 19572, but shall not be disciplined for any cause constituting prohibited discrimination as set forth in Section 19700 to 19703, inclusive.

(b)

At least 20 days prior to the effective date of the disciplinary action, the appointing power shall give the employee written notice of the proposed action setting forth the reasons for the action, the effective date of the action, the right of the employee to answer the notice orally or in writing within 10 days of receipt of notice, and the employee’s appeal rights. Within 15 days after the effective date of the disciplinary action, a copy thereof shall be filed with the board.

(c)

The board, at the written request of a disciplined managerial employee filed within 30 days of the employee’s receipt of the notice of the disciplinary action, may investigate with or without a hearing the reasons for the action.
If the adverse action taken against the employee was a disciplinary action other than demotion or dismissal, the board shall, after the investigation or hearing, affirm, reduce, or overturn the action of the appointing power.
If the adverse action taken against the employee was a demotion or dismissal from state civil service, the board shall, after the investigation or hearing and subject to Section 19592.5, affirm or reduce the action, restore the employee to the position from which he or she was demoted, or reinstate the employee to the position from which he or she was dismissed or to a position to which he or she could have transferred.
The decision of the board to modify the action of the appointing power pursuant to this subdivision shall be taken only if the board determines, after investigation or hearing, that there is no substantial evidence to support the reason or reasons for disciplinary action, or that the disciplinary action was made in fraud or bad faith. In any such proceeding, the disciplined managerial employee shall have the burden of proof. Subject to rebuttal by the employee, it shall be presumed that the action was free from fraud and bad faith and that the statement of reasons in the notice of disciplinary action is true.

Source: Section 19590, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=19590.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1985; accessed Jun. 23, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 23, 2025

§ 19590's source at ca​.gov