BILL REQ. #:  S-0146.1 

Read first time 01/16/13.   Referred to Committee on Governmental Operations .

     AN ACT Relating to a veteran's preference for the purpose of public employment; and amending RCW 41.04.010.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 41.04.010 and 2009 c 248 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions, or employment, either the state, and all of its political subdivisions and all municipal corporations, or private companies or agencies contracted with by the state to give the competitive examinations shall give a scoring criteria status to all veterans as defined in RCW 41.04.007, by adding to the passing mark, grade or rating only, based upon a possible rating of one hundred points as perfect a percentage in accordance with the following:
     (((1))) (a) Ten percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 ((and does not receive military retirement)). The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations;
     (((2))) (b) Five percent to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 ((or is receiving military retirement)). The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations;
     (((3))) (c) Five percent to a veteran who was called to active military service from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. The percentage shall be added to promotional examinations until the first promotion only;
     (((4))) (d) All veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed upon release from active military service.
     (2) Veteran scoring criteria status under this section may be claimed upon receipt of separation orders issued by the respective military department if the separation orders indicate an honorable discharge. The status becomes permanent upon actual separation.