(a) In this section, "classified position" means a position classified under the state's position classification plan.
(b) A state employee's annual salary rate immediately after a transfer may be set at any rate in the appropriate salary group if the employee:
(1) transfers within a state agency between two classified positions that:
(A) are allocated to the same salary group; and
(B) have the same position title as listed in the General Appropriations Act;
(2) transfers to a position for which the employment opening is publicly listed in accordance with Chapter 656;
(3) voluntarily applies for the position to which the employee transfers; and
(4) agrees to accept the position to which the employee transfers at the publicly listed salary.