Committee passes bill to remove degree requirements from state hiring; strips Civil Service Board appeal provisions

Senate Bill 166 — titled in committee as the Fostering Competitive Career Opportunities Act — was amended and passed out of committee. The bill removes postsecondary degree requirements from consideration in state hiring practices for most positions, while excluding the Judicial Branch, the Legislative Branch and political appointees. Committee members adopted an amendment that deleted sections creating a Civil Service Board cause of action and related appeal procedures.