BILL REQ. #:  H-0726.1 

Read first time 01/21/2003.   Referred to Committee on State Government.

     AN ACT Relating to the veterans' scoring criteria in employment examinations; and amending RCW 41.04.010.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 41.04.010 and 2002 c 292 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions or employment, the state, and all of its political subdivisions and all municipal corporations, 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) 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) 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) Five percent to a veteran who was called to active military service for one or more years from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. The percentage shall be added to the first promotional examination only;
     (4) All veterans' scoring criteria ((specified in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section must)) may be claimed ((within fifteen years of the date of)) upon release from active military service. ((This period may be extended for valid and extenuating reasons to include but not be limited to:
     (a) Documented medical reasons beyond control of the veteran;
     (b) United States department of veterans' affairs documented disabled veteran; or
     (c) Any veteran who has his or her employment terminated through no fault or action of his or her own and whose livelihood is adversely affected may seek scoring criteria employment consideration under this section.))