Employees of educational or public television network.

(a) All persons employed on a full-time basis by Alabama educational television or Alabama public television network, who were employed after January 1, 1981, shall be covered under the state Merit System law and shall be extended all benefits of such system.

(b) The classification of personnel employed prior to January 1, 1981, shall not result in any decrease in salary or benefits already vested in said employees, nor shall said classification result in the termination of employment of any presently employed person for failure to meet any qualifications issued by the State Personnel Department, provided, however, that two years after May 17, 1981, all employees must occupy a position in the classified service under the appropriate class based on qualifications and duties for each position as established by the State Personnel Department.

(Acts 1981, No. 81-624, p. 1040, §§ 1, 2.)