SB 2428

When a local governmental entity extends invitations to interview candidates, whether for appointment or promotion, and the pool of candidates includes a person who has been honorably discharged from the army, navy, air force, marine corps, space force, o r coast guard, or a member of the reserve components, who performs active federal service in the armed forces of the United States, this bill requires the local governmental entity to invite these persons to interview. I f a veteran is in the pool of candi dates and meets the minimum qualifications for the position, and the skills, abilities, competencies, and knowledge of the veteran and another applicant being interviewed for the position are equal, preference must be given to the veteran for the position. A n application form used by a local governmental entity must include the option for the applicant to declare veteran status. When a local governmental entity extends invitations to interview candidates, whether for appointment or promotion, this bill requires the local governmental entity to invite the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran to interview, if the spouse or surviving spouse is a qualified voter in this state or has been a resident of this state for two years preceding such person's application, and one of the two following cir cumstances exists:  As a result of such military service, the veteran suffered a 100% service-connected disability or is permanently and totally disabled .  T he veteran died in the line of duty during such military service and t he surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran. This bill requires a local governmental entity that passes over an eligible veteran and selects an eligible nonveteran to file with the commissioner of veterans services, within 30 days, the reasons for so doing, which reasons will become a part of the veteran's record but will not be made available to anyone other than the veteran. STATE EMPLOYMENT Present law places the same requirements as described above concerning employment opportunities with the state. This bill adds that an application form used by an appointing authority pursuant to such present law must include the option for the applicant to declare veteran status.