39-29-102. Point preference or alternative preference in initial hiring for certain applicants -- substantially equivalent selection procedure. (1) Subject to the restrictions in subsections (2) and (3), whenever a public employer uses a scored procedure, an applicant for an initial hiring, as defined in 39-30-103, must have added to the applicant's score the following percentage points of the total possible points that may be granted in the scored procedure:
     (a) 5 percentage points if the applicant is a veteran; and
     (b) 10 percentage points if the applicant is a disabled veteran or an eligible relative.
     (2) A veteran, disabled veteran, or eligible relative may not receive the percentage points provided for in subsection (1) unless the person:
     (a) is a United States citizen; and
     (b) meets the minimum qualifications required for the position. If no applicant meets the minimum qualifications and the public employer fills a training position, veterans' preference must be applied.
     (3) A disabled veteran who receives 10 percentage points under subsection (1)(b) may not receive an additional 5 percentage points under subsection (1)(a).
     (4) Whenever a public employer uses a selection procedure other than a scored procedure, the public employer shall give preference to a disabled veteran, eligible relative, or veteran, in that order, over any nonpreferred applicant holding substantially equal qualifications, as defined in 39-30-103.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 646, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 168, L. 1999.