(a) A trial court employee may be laid off based on the organizational necessity of the court. Each trial court shall develop, subject to meet and confer in good faith, personnel rules regarding procedures for layoffs for organizational necessity. Employees shall be laid off on the basis of seniority of the employees in the class of layoff, in the absence of a mutual agreement between the trial court and a recognized employee organization providing for a different order of layoff.

(b) For purposes of this section, a “layoff for organizational necessity” means a termination based on the needs or resources of the court, including, but not limited to, a reorganization or reduction in force or lack of funds.

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 905, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2003.)