This bill aims to broaden the definition of "veteran" for hiring and employment preferences to include not only veterans but also their spouses and active duty service members, regardless of their length of service. The bill introduces new legal language, specifically defining "military spouse" and "eligible service member," and amends existing laws to ensure that these individuals receive the same employment preferences as veterans. Additionally, it establishes a preference for purchasing products and services from businesses owned by service-connected disabled veterans and military spouses when available.

Key amendments include the insertion of definitions for "military spouse" and "eligible service member" into RSA 21:50, as well as the expansion of the veterans' preference employment policy to include military spouses in RSA 275-G:1. The bill also modifies RSA 99-F to reflect the inclusion of military spouses in public employment preferences and allows private employers to require qualifying documents for verification of eligibility. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance support for veterans and their families in both employment and procurement opportunities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21:50, 275-G:1, 99-F:1, 99-F:2, 275-G:3