(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), positions in the classified exempt service shall become unclassified July 1, 1978. The classified exempt service shall be abolished as of this date and no further appointments shall be made in the classified exempt service. Except as provided in subsection (b), whenever the classified exempt service of the Kansas civil service act, or words of like effect, is referred to by a statute, contract or other document, such reference shall be deemed to apply to the unclassified service of the Kansas civil service act.

(b) All positions in the classified exempt service in the Kansas veterans’ commission, the state library (except the position of state librarian), the Kansas bureau of investigation (except the position of narcotics violation investigator) and the state historical society (except the position of secretary of the state historical society) shall become classified July 1, 1978. Except as provided in subsection (c), a person employed in a classified exempt position in the Kansas veterans’ commission, the state library, the Kansas bureau of investigation (except the position of narcotics violation investigator) or the state historical society (except the position of secretary of the state historical society) immediately prior to July 1, 1978, shall continue in such position, when the position becomes a classified position on July 1, 1978, shall obtain permanent status in such position without examination and without a probationary period and shall retain all retirement benefits which such person had prior to July 1, 1978, and such person’s service shall be deemed to have been continuous. The position of secretary of the state historical society, the position of state librarian and the position of undercover narcotics investigator of the Kansas bureau of investigation shall become unclassified July 1, 1978.

(c) A person employed in a classified position in the state historical society (except the position of assistant secretary) immediately prior to the effective date of this act shall continue in such position on and after such date. The position of assistant secretary of the state historical society shall become unclassified on the effective date of this act.