S.F. No. 5451 Summary

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

• Extends veteran's hiring preference in state employment to include these soon-to-be-separated service members, allowing them to claim preference during the selection process before their actual discharge.

• Requires appointing authorities to verify that individuals who received preference under the new provisions have been separated under honorable conditions and satisfy the veteran definition before final appointment.

• Applies the expanded veteran definition to disabled veteran preference provisions and ensures recently separated veterans who claim preference must be considered for positions, with the top five granted interviews.

• Extends the same expanded veteran definition to private employer hiring preferences under Minnesota's permissive preference law.