Appointment and removal of additional personnel; powers of deputy conducting hearings; exemption from personal liability

Sec. 22. (a) For the purpose of maintaining the affirmative, active, and definite administration of the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner, with the approval of the governor, may appoint such additional actuaries, deputies, examiners, assistants, and other employees in the department as may be found necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, such additional deputies, examiners, assistants, and employees so appointed shall be chosen for their fitness, either professional or practical, as the nature of the position may require, irrespective of their political beliefs or affiliations. The technical or professional qualifications of any applicant shall be determined by examination, professional rating or otherwise, as the commissioner with the approval of the governor may determine. Subject to the approval of the governor and the state budget director, the salaries of such additional actuaries, deputies, examiners, assistants, and other employees shall be fixed by the commissioner. Any actuary, deputy, examiner, assistant, or employee so employed may be removed at any time by the commissioner. (b) In the absence of the commissioner, he may, by written order, designate a deputy to conduct any hearing, and, in such case, such deputy commissioner shall possess and may exercise any and all powers of the commissioner with respect to the matter in hearing. (c) Neither the commissioner nor any actuary, deputy, examiner, assistant, or employee in the department shall be liable in their individual capacity, except to the state of Indiana, for any act done or omitted in connection with the performance of their respective duties under the provisions of this chapter.