All persons serving in an exempt position engaged in the performance of a function described in former Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 15399.10) of Part 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code as repealed by Chapter 229 of the Statutes of 2003 or the administration of the program described in that chapter shall be transferred to the board subject to approval by the Department of Finance. This transfer shall not affect the status, positions, and rights of these

persons. Section 19050.9 of the Government Code shall apply to the transfer of persons serving in state civil service who are engaged in the performance of a function or the administration of that chapter.