HF 5261 Summary

• Expands the definition of "veteran" for hiring preference purposes to include active service members expected to be honorably discharged within 120 days, as evidenced by written certification from their military branch.

• Requires appointing authorities to verify that persons appointed under the new active service member preference have been separated under honorable conditions using form DD-214 and satisfied the veteran definition under section 197.447.

• Applies the expanded veteran definition to "recently separated veteran" status, making active service members within 120 days of honorable discharge eligible for interview guarantees and ranking preferences in state hiring.

• Extends the expanded veteran definition to private employer hiring preferences under Minnesota Statutes 197.4551, allowing private nonpublic employers to grant preference to active service members within 120 days of honorable discharge.

• Amends sections 43A.11, 197.455, and 197.4551 to create consistent veteran definitions across state and private employment hiring preference provisions.