by Thomas S. Kleeh
West Virginia will join the list of states that allow hiring preferences for veterans when a new law takes effect on June 22.
House Bill 4507 was signed into law on March 24. Its purpose is to assist veterans and disabled veterans in securing employment. The new law amends the provisions of the West Virginia Human Rights Act (WVHRA) that outline unlawful discriminatory practices by West Virginia employers. The new law also adds a section to the WVHRA setting forth the circumstances in which employers may have hiring preferences for military personnel.
“Veteran” is defined as any servicemember who has been honorably discharged after providing more than 180 consecutive days of full-time active-duty service in the U.S. armed services or reserves, including the National Guard. A veteran also may be granted preference in the hiring process if he has been issued a service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans covered by the new law may be given preference in the hiring process if they meet all the knowledge, skill, and eligibility requirements of the job.
For more information on the new veterans hiring preference law, see the May issue of West Virginia Employment Law Letter.
Thomas S. Kleeh is an attorney with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. He can be reached at thomas.kleeh@steptoe-johnson.com.