(a) The Legislature finds that, as claims against the Workers' Compensation Old Fund continue to decrease, persons currently employed on a permanent basis by the Attorney General in the workers' compensation litigation unit may soon face layoffs due to the decreasing workload. The Legislature hereby declares that such employees should have certain preferences if they seek continued employment with the state.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, any person, not a temporary or probationary employee, employed by the Attorney General in the workers' compensation litigation unit who is laid off as a result of a decreased workload, shall be afforded the opportunity to transfer to other state employment if he or she is an employee in good standing at the time of the layoff.

(c) The Attorney General shall establish and maintain, for a period of two years, a list of all employees who are eligible for employment due to a layoffs pursuant to this section, and who wish to remain eligible for employment with the state. The Attorney General shall give priority to any person on the list for employment in an available position equivalent to the position that person held in the workers' compensation litigation unit unless the Attorney General determines that the person is less qualified than other applicants for the position.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the Division of Personnel shall maintain, for a period of two years, a list of employees who were laid off as a result of the reduction in the work force occasioned by the decreasing work load of the workers' compensation litigation unit within the office of the Attorney General. Any such employee shall be given preference in hiring for any position in classified or exempt service for which he or she is qualified and applies. The Director of the Division of Personnel may propose for promulgation, in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, a legislative rule to effectuate the requirements of this section.