(a) An employee who is certified to a position in a class after layoff, or demotion in lieu of layoff, shall receive not less than the same step in the salary range as he or she received in the position in that class prior to such layoff or demotion.

(b) If the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if such provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.

(Added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 230, Sec. 55.)