Cal. Gov. Code § 19576.1
Effective January 1, 1996, notwithstanding Section 19576, this section shall apply only to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5.
Whenever an answer is filed by an employee who has been suspended without pay for five days or less or who has received a formal reprimand or up to a five percent reduction in pay for five months or less, the Department of Human Resources or its authorized representative shall make an investigation, with or without a hearing, as it deems necessary. However, if he or she receives one of the cited actions in more than three instances in any 12-month period, he or she, upon each additional action within the same 12-month period, shall be afforded a hearing before the State Personnel Board if he or she files an answer to the action.
The Department of Human Resources shall not have the above authority with regard to formal reprimands. Formal reprimands shall not be appealable by the receiving employee by any means, except that the State Personnel Board, pursuant to its constitutional authority, shall maintain its right to review all formal reprimands. Formal reprimands shall remain available for use by the appointing authorities for the purpose of progressive discipline.
Disciplinary action taken pursuant to this section is not subject to Sections 19180, 19574.1, 19574.2, 19575, 19575.5, 19579, 19580, 19581, 19581.5, 19582, 19583, and 19587, or to State Personnel Board Rules 51.1 to 51.9, inclusive, 52, and 52.1 to 52.5, inclusive.
Notwithstanding any other law or rule, if the provisions of this section are in conflict with the provisions of the memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Section 3517.5, the memorandum of understanding shall be controlling without further legislative action, except that if the provisions of a memorandum of understanding require the expenditure of funds, the provisions shall not become effective unless approved by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act.
Ca. Gov. Code § 19576.1