SB19-056 Summary

• Allows private employers to give preference to veterans when hiring, promoting, and retaining employees if the veteran is as qualified as other candidates.

• Defines "veteran" as someone who served on active duty with U.S. Armed Forces for more than 180 days with honorable discharge, was discharged due to service-connected disability, or served in National Guard for more than 180 days.

• Requires employers adopting a veterans preference policy to: put it in writing, prominently post it at the workplace or website, inform job applicants on application forms, and apply it uniformly to all employment decisions.

• Clarifies that employers implementing a veterans preference policy in compliance with the law are not committing discriminatory or unfair labor practices.

• Takes effect August 2, 2019, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval in the November 2020 general election.