Effective July 1, 1973, all positions of officers and employees appointed by county social welfare boards are hereby abolished. All authorized classified positions and officers and employees employed in such positions under the state civil service act by county boards of social welfare immediately prior to such date are hereby transferred to the secretary of social and rehabilitation services. All officers and employees employed in non-classified positions in the county welfare departments immediately prior to such date, except county home or home for the aged employees, are hereby transferred to the secretary of social and rehabilitation services and into the state civil service system on classified positions with permanent status at the nearest salary step in the salary range and with accrued vacation leave and accrued sick leave as certified by the county welfare boards. All officers and employees transferred to the secretary of social and rehabilitation services as provided herein shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service which have accrued to such officers and employees prior to the effective date of this act and their service shall be deemed to have been continuous.