The bill amends Section 36-26-15 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance hiring preferences for military spouses and veterans in state employment. It introduces new definitions for "active duty service member" and "veteran," and specifies that spouses of active duty service members will receive five additional points on their employment ratings. The bill also allows political subdivisions and private employers to give preference to veterans and the spouses of both veterans and active duty service members during hiring processes. Additionally, it establishes that individuals with military preference will be prioritized on employment registers based on their augmented ratings, with specific provisions for those entitled to five or ten-point preferences, including a ten-point preference for the surviving spouse of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty.

Moreover, the bill requires appointing officers to document their reasons for selecting a non-veteran over an eligible veteran, which will be included in the veteran's record but disclosed only at the discretion of the appointing officer. It ensures that individuals entitled to military preference are the last to be discharged or demoted during reductions in the classified service, provided their performance records are satisfactory. The bill also allows private employers to adopt voluntary veterans' preference employment policies, which must be uniformly applied and documented, and requires notification to the Alabama Department of Workforce about these policies. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-26-15
Engrossed: 36-26-15