1     
VETERANS PREFERENCE IN PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT

2     
2020 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler

5     
House Sponsor: Craig Hall

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill provides that private employers who provide a veterans preference may extend
10     that preference to the spouses of veterans.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     allows private employers to extend veterans preference to spouses of veterans.
14     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15          None
16     Other Special Clauses:
17          None
18     Utah Code Sections Affected:
19     AMENDS:
20          34-50-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 489
21          34-50-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 263
22     

23     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
24          Section 1. Section 34-50-103 is amended to read:
25          34-50-103. Voluntary veterans preference employment policy -- Private
26     employment -- Antidiscrimination requirements.
27          (1) A private sector employer may create a veterans employment preference policy that
28     may also apply to a veteran's spouse.
29          (2) The veterans employment preference policy shall be:

30          (a) in writing; and
31          (b) applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion, or
32     retention including during a reduction in force.
33          (3) A private employer may require a veteran to submit a discharge document form or
34     proof of current service in the armed forces to be eligible for the preference. If the applicant is
35     the spouse of a veteran, the employer may require that the spouse submit the veteran's
36     discharge document or proof of current service in the armed forces.
37          (4) A private employer's veterans employment preference policy shall be publicly
38     posted by the employer at the place of employment or on the Internet if the employer has a
39     website or uses the Internet to advertise employment opportunities.
40          Section 2. Section 34-50-105 is amended to read:
41          34-50-105. Verification of eligibility.
42          The department and the Department of Workforce Services may assist, as permitted
43     under state and federal laws governing privacy, a private employer in verifying if an applicant
44     is [a veteran.]:
45          (1) a veteran or currently serving member of the armed forces; or
46          (2) a spouse of a veteran or currently serving member of the armed forces.