An Act To Reform the Veteran Preference in State Hiring and Retention
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §7054, as amended by PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §2 and affected by §4, is repealed.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §7054-B is enacted to read:
§ 7054-B. Veteran preference
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Gold star spouse" means a widow or widower of a veteran who is eligible to receive a gold star lapel pin under 10 United States Code, Section 1126 (2010).
B. "Veteran" means a person who has served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces including the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard and received a discharge other than dishonorable.
2. Interview. In filling any position in the classified service, the employing agency shall offer an interview to any veteran or gold star spouse who meets the minimum qualifications established for the position.
3. Retention preference. In any reduction in personnel in the state service, employees who are veterans or gold star spouses must be retained in preference to all other competing employees in the same classification with equal seniority, status and performance reviews.
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §7055, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 785, Pt. B, §38, is repealed.
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 127th Legislature, Second Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.