Except as otherwise provided in this act, on July 1, 1997, officers and employees who, immediately prior to such date, were engaged in the performance of powers, duties or functions of the department of social and rehabilitation services concerning juvenile offenders which are transferred by this act, or who become a part of the juvenile justice authority, or the powers, duties and functions of which are transferred to the juvenile justice authority, and who, in the opinion of the commissioner of juvenile justice, are necessary to perform the powers, duties and functions of the juvenile justice authority, shall be transferred to, and shall become officers and employees of the juvenile justice authority established under this act. Any such officer or employee shall retain all retirement benefits and all rights of civil service which had accrued to or vested in such officer or employee prior to the effective date of this section. The service of each such officer and employee so transferred shall be deemed to have been continuous. All transfers and any abolition of personnel positions in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act shall be in accordance with civil service laws and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder.