SB249: Relating to employment preference for veterans.

Legislative Summary

Provides that, when interview is element of process of selecting candidate for civil service position from eligibility list, public employer must interview each veteran applicant who meets qualifications for position and shows transferable skills if duties of position are performed by only one person within public employer's organization. Provides that, when interview is element of process of selecting candidate for civil service position from eligibility list, public employer must interview each veteran applicant who meets qualifications for position and shows transferable skills if duties of position are performed by only one person within public employer's organization. Requires public employer to provide written notice to veteran who is eliminated from consideration for vacant civil service position. Provides right to jury trial and permits awards of noneconomic damages in civil suits for violation of veterans' employment preference statutes. Modifies period for notice of tort claim against public body for violation of veterans' employment preference statutes. Directs Department of Veterans' Affairs to establish program for investigation and nonbinding arbitration of alleged violation of veterans' employment preference statutes. Requires public employers to conduct annual training related to veterans' employment preferences. Provides that conducting approved annual training is affirmative defense to claim for violation of veterans' employment preference statutes.