The bill amends the Washington state veterans' preference program for civil service by redefining what constitutes a "qualifying discharge." It aims to address issues faced by active duty service members who are applying for jobs before their official discharge from military service. The new provisions allow applicants to claim veterans' preference based on a predischarge certification, which is a written statement from their branch of service indicating their expected discharge under a qualifying characterization. This certification must be issued no more than 120 days prior to the application and requires the individual to submit official discharge documentation within 30 days after discharge to maintain their eligibility for preference.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of a "qualifying discharge" to include various characterizations of service, such as honorable discharges, general under honorable conditions, and other than honorable discharges under specific circumstances. It also stipulates that agencies must develop procedures to verify the information provided in predischarge certifications and cannot take adverse actions based on discrepancies without giving the individual a chance to respond. Overall, the bill seeks to facilitate a smoother transition for service members into civilian employment by ensuring they can secure job preferences even before their official discharge.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 41.04.010, 73.04.005
Substitute bill: 41.04.010, 73.04.005
Bill as passed Legislature: 41.04.010, 73.04.005
Session law: 41.04.010, 73.04.005