Introduced by Representatives Obuchowski of Rockingham and Partridge of Windham

1 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.67 2 2001 Page 1 3 4 1 H.67

2 Introduced by Representatives Obuchowski of Rockingham and Partridge of

3 Windham

4 Referred to Committee on

5 Date:

6 Subject: Labor; state employees; veterans’ preference

7 Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to provide an absolute preference for

8 state jobs to otherwise qualified veterans, veterans’ surviving spouses, and

9 spouses of totally service-connected disabled veterans.

10 AN ACT RELATING TO A VETERANS’ PREFERENCE

11 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

12 Sec. 1. 3 V.S.A. § 310(f) is amended to read:

13 (f) The classification and compensation plan and the rules and regulations

14 for personnel administration shall be based on merit system principles and

15 shall provide for compliance with the laws relating to preference granted to

16 qualified persons who have served in the armed forces of the United States and

17 received honorable discharge so that veterans, veterans’ widows or widowers,

18 and spouses of totally service-connected disabled veterans who meet the

19 requirements for any open competitive examination and who receive a passing

20 score shall have five points added to their competitive examination rating, and

5 www.leg.state.vt.us 1 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.67 2 2001 Page 2 3 4 1 service-connected disabled veterans, veterans’ widows or widowers, and

2 spouses of totally service-connected disabled veterans who meet the

3 requirements for any open competitive examination and who receive a passing

4 score shall have ten points added to their competitive examination rating,

5 subject to the provisions contained in section 1543 of Title 20 receive absolute

6 preference. If more than one person is entitled to an absolute preference under

7 this subsection, the position shall be offered to the most qualified applicant,

8 and the appointing authority shall state in writing his or her reasons for hiring

9 the person chosen. This statement shall be placed in the employee’s personnel

10 file.

11 Sec. 2. 20 V.S.A. § 1543 is amended to read:

12 § 1543. PREFERENCES IN APPOINTMENT TO STATE POSITIONS

13 In certification for appointment, in appointment, in employing, in retention

14 of employment position, whether in classified or unclassified civil service,

15 whether for temporary or for extended time, wherever state funds furnish the

16 payroll, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, absolute preference shall be

17 given to:

18 (1) those ex-service personnel who have served on active duty in any

19 branch of the armed forces of the United States and have been separated

20 therefrom under honorable conditions and who have established the present

21 existence of a service-connected disability or who are receiving compensation,

5 www.leg.state.vt.us 1 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.67 2 2001 Page 3 3 4 1 or disability retirement benefits by reason of public laws administered by the

2 veterans administration, or the department of defense;

3 (2) the spouses of such service-connected disabled ex-servicemen or

4 women as have themselves been unable to qualify for any civil service

5 appointment by reason of their disability;

6 (3) the unmarried widows or widowers of deceased ex-service personnel

7 who served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces of the United

8 States during any war, or in any campaign or expedition (for which a campaign

9 badge has been authorized), or during the period specified in subdivision (5) of

10 this section and who were separated therefrom under honorable conditions; and

12 branch of the armed forces of the United States, during any war, or in any

13 campaign or expedition (for which a campaign badge has been authorized),

14 and have been separated therefrom under honorable conditions; and

16 branch of the armed forces of the United States during the period beginning

17 July 1, 1955, and have been separated from the armed forces under honorable

18 conditions.

5 www.leg.state.vt.us