(b) (1) When a principal unit plans the closure of a facility where 50 or more employees regularly work, that unit shall give the employees of that facility notice of the planned closure of the facility.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the notice shall be given at least 6 months before closing a facility.

(3) In any year in which the Governor fails to include sufficient funds in the annual budget to operate a facility, thereby precipitating the closure of the facility, the notice shall be given no later than 30 days following the submission of the annual budget bill to the General Assembly.

(4) Whenever the General Assembly in any year fails to appropriate sufficient funds in the annual budget to operate a facility, thereby precipitating the closure of the facility, the notice shall be given no later than 30 days following the close of that session of the General Assembly.

(c) If requested by an employee who is to be laid off, immediately following the notice, the department or other independent unit that plans the closure shall:

(1) begin to provide intensive job counseling and training referral for the affected employees;

(2) make efforts to relocate or transfer the affected employees to other departmental positions in the State; and

(3) notify the Department of Budget and Management and the Maryland Department of Labor of any employees who are adversely affected.

(d) The Department of Budget and Management shall:

(1) develop a list of State classifications with their comparable classifications, if any; and

(2) with the assistance of the Maryland Department of Labor, make efforts to relocate the affected State employees to vacant State positions.

(e) The Maryland Department of Labor shall develop a program to assist adversely affected State employees by providing retraining and other appropriate employment and training services.

(f) The Secretary shall adopt rules and regulations to implement this section.