(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "legacy agency" means an existing agency, department, or division that is being reorganized or abolished under this chapter.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, all positions created by this chapter shall be in the classified service of the state Merit System.

(c) All persons employed on January 1, 2015, with a legacy agency and transferred to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Public Safety, or State Bureau of Investigations shall maintain his or her classification and benefits under the legacy agency. A person employed by a legacy agency on January 1, 2015, shall not receive a decrease in salary, benefits, or seniority or otherwise receive a decrease in classification as a result of the transfer to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Public Safety, or State Bureau of Investigations.

(d) Any future change in classification shall not result in any change in benefits an employee previously had at a legacy agency.

(e) An employee of a legacy agency transferred to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, Department of Public Safety, or State Bureau of Investigations under this chapter shall remain in his or her current classification unless appointed to the appropriate classification within the newly created department according to state Merit System procedures.

(f) Any employee hired in the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency after January 1, 2015, who is certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission and performs law enforcement duties shall be considered a law enforcement officer, as defined by Section 36-27-59(a)(3), but is not eligible for the benefits specified in Section 36-26-35(d).