(Effective January 1, 2027) Political Subdivisions Authorized to Give Employment Preference to Veterans and Spouses of Veterans and Active Duty Service Members

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER. An individual that is on active duty as a member of the National Guard or a reserve or active component of the Armed Forces of the United States. (2) ELIGIBLE VETERAN. An individual who has ever served in the National Guard or a reserve or active component of the Armed Forces of the United States and has been honorably discharged. (b) A county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to any of the following individuals: (1) An eligible veteran. (2) The spouse of an eligible veteran. (3) The spouse of an active duty service member. (4) The surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran. (c) A political subdivision that grants preference in hiring or promotion pursuant to subsection (b) may adopt an ordinance providing for the implementation of the preference. (Act 2026-574, §2.)