A. No person in the state service, whether subject to the provisions of the Merit System or in unclassified service, shall be appointed to or demoted or dismissed from any position in the state service, or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to employment in the state service because of political or religious opinions or affiliations, race, creed, gender, color or national origin or by reason of any physical handicap so long as the physical handicap does not render the employee unable to do the work for which he is employed. The hiring of special disabled veterans pursuant to Sections 401 through 404 of Title 72 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall not constitute favoritism as herein prohibited.

B. No person shall use or promise to use, directly or indirectly, any official authority or influence, whether possessed or anticipated, to secure or attempt to secure for any person an appointment or advantage in appointment to a position in the classified service, or an increase in pay or other advantage in employment in any such position, for the purpose of influencing the vote or political action of any person, or for any consideration. Letters of inquiry, recommendation and reference for public employees by public officials shall not be considered official authority or influence unless such letter contains a threat, intimidation, or irrelevant, derogatory or false information.

C. No person shall make any false statement, certificate, score, rating or report with regard to any test, certification or appointment made under any provision of the Oklahoma Personnel Act or in any manner commit any fraud preventing the implementation of the provisions of the Oklahoma Personnel Act and rules made pursuant thereto.

D. No employee, examiner or other person shall deny, deceive or obstruct any person in his or her right to examination, eligibility, certification or appointment or furnish to any person any special or secret information for the purpose of effecting the rights or prospects of any person with respect to employment in the classified service.

E. No person shall, directly or indirectly, give, render, pay, offer, solicit or accept any money, service or other valuable consideration for or as a result of any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion to or any advantage in, a position in the classified or unclassified service.

F. Alleged violation of this section shall be reported to the Oklahoma Merit Protection Commission.

Added by Laws 1982, c. 338, § 31, eff. July 1, 1982. Amended by Laws 1983, c. 175, § 8, emerg. eff. June 7, 1983; Laws 1986, c. 158, § 16, operative July 1, 1986. Renumbered from § 841.10 of this title by Laws 1994, c. 242, § 54.