[§323F-8.5]  Regional chief executive officer; exempt position.  (a)  Upon establishment, and until December 31, 2008, a regional system board may appoint a regional chief executive officer and regional chief financial officer whose salary shall be set by the corresponding regional system board and may discharge a regional chief executive officer or regional chief financial officer for cause, consistent with subsection (b); provided that the position shall be exempt from chapter 76 and section 26-35(a)(4).  Effective January 1, 2009, the hiring and firing of the regional chief executive officers shall be subject to approval of both the regional system board and the corporation board.  Each regional chief executive officer may also appoint, as necessary, other personnel, exempt from chapters 76 and 89, to work directly for the regional chief executive officer for the regional system and for the corresponding regional system board.

     (b)  Any regional system board or its designee may discharge its exempt personnel with or without cause; provided that removal without cause shall not prejudice any contract rights of personnel; and provided further that the discharge of a regional chief executive officer shall be limited to the reasons outlined in section 323F-3.5(e) up to December 31, 2008.  Effective January 1, 2009, regional chief executive officers and other exempt personnel shall be subject to discipline, including discharge, in accordance with duly executed contracts, laws governing exempt personnel of the State, and regional system policies adopted in accordance with corporate policies.

     (c)  Each regional chief executive officer or their designees may appoint, exempt from chapters 76 and 89, hospital administrators, assistant administrators, directors of nursing, medical directors, and staff physicians, to facilitate the management of facilities within the regional system.

     (d)  Hiring, firing, compensation packages, and other personnel actions with respect to employees not covered by chapters 76 and 89 shall be governed by policies adopted by each regional system board.  These policies and guidelines shall be consistent with policies and guidelines adopted by the corporation board after consultation with the regional system boards. [L 2007, c 290, pt of §2]