SD15 - Preference for Veterans for Employment with the Commonwealth


Executive Summary:
The Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Personnel and Training, the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League, veterans' organizations, and any other interested person has conducted a study concerning the effect of the provisions of this act on the personnel system of the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth's political subdivisions if Subsection 15.1-7.5 of the Code of Virginia were to be amended in a manner consistent with the act.

Senate Bill 714 amended and reenacted Subsection 2.1-112 of the Code of Virginia to provide for a grade or rating increase, consistent with federal and state law, if a veteran applied for employment with the Commonwealth which is based on passing a written examination. Passing of a written examination will result in a five percent increase. However, if the veteran has a service-connected disability rating fixed by the United States Veterans Administration, the grade or rating shall be increased by ten percent. In the event employment is not based on passing a written examination, in a manner consistent with federal and state law, the veteran's military service shall be taken into consideration by the Commonwealth during the selection process, provided that such veteran meets all knowledge, skills and ability requirements for the available position. A veteran is defined as any person who has received an honorable discharge and has provided more than 180 consecutive days of full-time, active-duty service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force Marines, Coast Guard, or reserve components thereof, including the National Guard, or has a service-connected disability rating fixed by the United States Veterans Administration.

Subsection 15.1-7.5 of the Code of Virginia - Preferences for veterans in local government employment currently reads as follows:

"Consistent with the requirements and obligations to protected classes under federal or state law, any county, city, or town may take into consideration or give preference to an individual's status as an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the United States in its employment policies and practices. Additional consideration may also be given to veterans who have a service connected disability rating fixed by the United States Veterans Administration. "Veterans" as used in this section refers to the same class as included in Subsection 2.1-112 with regard to the state service."