(a) The state board of regents established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-3202a, and amendments thereto, shall provide that all officers and employees of the state board of education or the abolished state board of regents who are engaged in the exercise and performance of the powers, duties, and functions transferred by this act are transferred to the state board of regents established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-3202a, and amendments thereto, if the state board deems that the transfer of such officers and employees is necessary to the exercise and performance of such powers, duties and functions.

(b) Officers and employees of the state board of education or the abolished state board of regents who are transferred to the state board of regents established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-3202a, and amendments thereto, shall retain all retirement benefits and leave rights which had accrued or vested prior to the date of transfer. The service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous. All transfers, layoffs and abolition of classified service positions under the Kansas civil service act which may result from transfers of powers, duties and functions shall be made in accordance with the civil service laws and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder. Nothing in this act shall affect the classified status of any transferred person employed by the state board of education or the abolished state board of regents prior to the date of transfer. The state board of regents established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-3202a, and amendments thereto, shall be responsible for administering any layoff that is a part of the transfer. Notwithstanding the date of transfer of personnel from the state board of education or the abolished state board of regents to the state board of regents established by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-3202a, and amendments thereto, pursuant to the provisions of this act, the date of such transfer shall be effective at the start of a payroll period.