HF 2234 (LSB 5375HV (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 2234

BY  COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 512)

A BILL FOR

An Act allowing private employers to grant a preference in hiring and promotion to veterans and certain spouses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  35.3  Veterans preference in private employment permitted.
   1.  A private employer may grant preference in hiring and promotion to an individual who is a veteran.
   2.  a.  A private employer may grant preference in hiring and promotion to the spouse of a veteran who has sustained a permanent, compensable service-connected disability as adjudicated by the United States veterans administration or by the retirement board of one of the armed forces of the United States.
   b.  A private employer may grant preference in hiring and promotion to the surviving spouse of a deceased member of the United States armed forces who died while serving on active duty during a time of military conflict or who died as a result of such service.
   3.  Granting a hiring or promotion preference under this section does not violate any state law or local ordinance regarding equal employment opportunity, including but not limited to chapter 216.
   4.  The hiring and promotion preferences allowable under this section shall only be granted if consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill allows private employers to grant a preference in hiring and promotion to veterans and certain veterans’ spouses.
   The bill specifically permits private employers to grant a preference in hiring and promotion to veterans as defined in the Iowa department of veterans affairs law. Private employers are also allowed to grant such preferences to the spouse of a veteran who has sustained a permanent, compensable service-connected disability as adjudicated by the United States veterans administration or by the retirement board of one of the armed forces of the United States. These employers may also grant such preferences to the surviving spouse of a deceased member of the United States armed forces who died while serving on active duty during a time of military conflict or who died as a result of such service. The bill only permits employers to grant such preferences as far as is consistent with federal laws and regulations.
   The bill provides that granting such a preference does not violate any state law or local ordinance regarding equal employment opportunity, including Code chapter 216.