(a) This section does not apply to the University System of Maryland.
(b) The Secretary shall submit to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly an annual report covering all units of the Executive Branch of State government, including a unit with an independent personnel system, for each fiscal year that:
(1) provides information about:
(i) employee performance and efficiency;
(ii) use of leave by State employees;
(iii) incentive awards;
(iv) whistleblower proceedings;
(v) each denial of a pay increase, each disciplinary suspension, each grievance, each involuntary demotion, and each rejection on probation; and
(vi) a summary of the equal employment opportunity report required under § 5–204 of this article, including hiring, firing, promotions, terminations, and rejections on probation, by race, sex, and age;
(2) provides statistics and rankings that compare minority group State employees to all State employees in all job categories;
(3) provides information about part–time work and, in the Secretary’s discretion, alternate work schedules, work days, and work locations;
(4) provides information on the total number of positions designated as special appointments, including special appointments designated with regard to political affiliation, belief, or opinion; and
(5) makes any recommendations about conditions in State employment that the Secretary considers advisable.
(c) The report required by this section shall be submitted on or before January 1 following the fiscal year to which it applies.