Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 232 (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. McKell, M.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/27/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• authorizes private sector, non-public employers to create a voluntary veteran employment preference program;
• provides requirements;
• clarifies program relationship with antidiscrimination laws; and
• specifies verification of eligibility.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

VETERAN EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION ACT
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Mike K. McKell
Senate Sponsor: 
Curtis S. Bramble
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill allows private, non-public employers to create a voluntary, written veterans
employment preference program.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ authorizes private sector, non-public employers to create a voluntary veteran
employment preference program;
▸ provides requirements;
▸ clarifies program relationship with antidiscrimination laws; and
▸ specifies verification of eligibility.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
34-49-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34-49-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34-49-103
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34-49-104
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34-49-105
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
34-49-101
 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 49. VETERANS PREFERENCE IN PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT ACT
 34-49-101.
Title.
This chapter is known as the "Veterans Preference in Private Employment Act."
Section 2. Section 
34-49-102
 is enacted to read:
 34-49-102.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "DD 214" means the United States Department of Defense Certificate of Release or
Discharge from Active Duty.
(2) "Department" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
71-11-2
.
(3) "Preference eligible" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
71-10-1
.
(4) "Private employer" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
63G-12-102
.
(5) "Veteran" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
71-10-1
.
Section 3. Section 
34-49-103
 is enacted to read:
 34-49-103.
Voluntary veterans preference employment policy -- Private
employment -- Antidiscrimination requirements.
(1) A private sector employer may create a veterans employment preference policy.
(2) The veterans employment preference policy shall be:
(a) in writing; and
(b) applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion, or
retention including during a reduction in force.
(3) A private employer may require a veteran to submit a DD 214 form to be eligible
for the preference.
(4) A private employer's veterans employment preference policy shall be publicly
posted by the employer at the place of employment or on the Internet if the employer has a
website or uses the Internet to advertise employment opportunities.
Section 4. Section 
34-49-104
 is enacted to read:
 34-49-104.
Antidiscrimination act.
The granting of a veterans preference by a private employer in accordance with this
chapter is not a violation of:
(1) Title 34A, Chapter 5, Utah Antidiscrimination Act; or
(2) any other state or local equal employment opportunity law.
Section 5. Section 
34-49-105
 is enacted to read:
 34-49-105.
Verification of eligibility.
The department and the Department of Workforces Services may assist, as permitted
under state and federal laws governing privacy, a private employer in verifying if an applicant
is a veteran.