Notwithstanding Article 1 (commencing with Section 19570), persons who have been designated as managerial employees under Section 3513 from the beginning of their current appointment, but whose positions are not in the career executive category, shall hold their appointments subject to the following adverse action process:
If the adverse action taken against the employee was a disciplinary action other than demotion or dismissal, the board shall, after the investigation or hearing, affirm, reduce, or overturn the action of the appointing power.
If the adverse action taken against the employee was a demotion or dismissal from state civil service, the board shall, after the investigation or hearing and subject to Section 19592.5, affirm or reduce the action, restore the employee to the position from which he or she was demoted, or reinstate the employee to the position from which he or she was dismissed or to a position to which he or she could have transferred.
The decision of the board to modify the action of the appointing power pursuant to this subdivision shall be taken only if the board determines, after investigation or hearing, that there is no substantial evidence to support the reason or reasons for disciplinary action, or that the disciplinary action was made in fraud or bad faith. In any such proceeding, the disciplined managerial employee shall have the burden of proof. Subject to rebuttal by the employee, it shall be presumed that the action was free from fraud and bad faith and that the statement of reasons in the notice of disciplinary action is true.
Ca. Gov. Code § 19590