VA HB1520

Expands Virginia employment preference programs to include spouses of active-duty military service members, granting them the same hiring and promotion preferences previously available only to veterans, surviving spouses of veterans killed in duty, and children of deceased veterans

Provides a 5% increase to passing scores on written examinations for Commonwealth employment for military spouses, matching the preference already given to veterans and their surviving family members

Requires state agencies to give military spouses preference during hiring selection processes for positions not based on examinations, provided they meet all knowledge, skill, and ability requirements

Extends these employment preferences to local government hiring practices, requiring localities to consider military spouse status alongside veteran status in employment decisions

Defines "eligible service member" as a full-time active duty member of any branch of the uniformed services of the United States for purposes of determining spouse eligibility