(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, including § 8-30-309, any county having a metropolitan form of government whose employees provide services for the community services agency, pursuant to § 37-5-304, and who serve in positions funded by the department of children's services may be transferred to the department of children's services by the commissioner, on or before June 30, 2006. Such employees shall receive the benefits and protection of career service status and shall be eligible for participation in the state health insurance plan without further examination or competition. Salaries of transferred employees of a county having a metropolitan form of government shall be within the appropriate salary range for state job classifications and shall be at least equal to, but not less than, the median salary of department of children's services employees in the county having a metropolitan form of government.

(b) All employees of a county having a metropolitan form of government who provide services for the community services agency, pursuant to § 37-5-304, and who are transferred to the department of children's services, pursuant to this section, shall be subject to a minimum probationary period of six (6) months beginning on the first day of service with the department, pursuant to §§ 8-30-312 and 8-30-314, unless the transferred employee has previously served the minimum six-month probationary period.

(c) All such transfers shall take place no later than June 30, 2006.