BILL NUMBER: S3128
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to permitting
private employers to adopt a veterans' preference employment policy
 
PURPOSE:
To allow private companies to adopt a veterans' preference for hiring,
promoting, or retaining a veteran.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Allows a private employer to adopt a veterans' preference for
hiring, promoting, or retaining a veteran. Further requires this prefer-
ence in writing and shall be applied uniformly to employment decisions.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, fifteen states offer a veteran's hiring preference for
private employers, while forty states including New York offer a veter-
ans hiring preference for public employers. Under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 private employers are not allowed to offer a hiring
preference for a veteran unless expressly allowed to by State law. A
2012 survey of post-9/11 veterans found that 69's identified "finding a
job" as their greatest challenge. As State's took for ways to actively
employ returning veterans allowing private companies the option to have
a preference is a no cost way to have more veterans employed.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2015-16: S. 4326/A. 6947- Advanced to Third Reading
2017-18: S.721 Committed to Rules
2019-20: Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs
2021-22: S. 3648 Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military
Affairs
2023-2024: S.2203 Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military
Affairs
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS ON THE STATE:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the 180th day.