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Oklahoma Voluntary Veterans' Preference for Private Employers

A private Oklahoma employer may adopt a written policy preferring honorably discharged veterans in hiring, promotion and layoffs without breaking state anti-discrimination law. Nothing requires an employer to have one, and the veteran must be in the Veterans Registry.

Also called: 40 O.S. 801, Voluntary Veterans' Preference Employment Policy Act, private employer, DD-214, hiring preference.

For: Veteran or service member.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

Title 40, section 801, the Voluntary Veterans' Preference Employment Policy Act, lets "a business entity in the private sector of this state with one or more employees" have "a voluntary preference for hiring, promoting or retaining a veteran over another qualified applicant or employee". The conditions. The policy must be in writing and "applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion or retention during a reduction in force". The employer may ask for the DD-214. Granting the preference "shall not be deemed to violate any local or state equal employment opportunity law or regulation". Who counts. Here "veteran" means someone who "served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States who was discharged or released with an honorable discharge and registered with the veterans registry". That is narrower than the general definition in two ways: active duty, and an honorable discharge rather than under honorable conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs must help an employer confirm an applicant's status. What it is not. It is permission, not a right. Ask an employer whether it has a policy.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Oklahoma Voluntary Veterans' Preference for Private Employers
GateRule
Active duty, honorable discharge and registered40 O.S. § 801(B)(3).

Sources

Legislation

Law the tracker is watching for this entry. See the legislation tracker for every jurisdiction.

2017 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 229 (HB 1198) Created the Oklahoma Veterans Registry and made registration a condition of most state veteran benefits

Catalog reconciledEnactedProgram createdScope changed

Signed Takes effect

  1. Introduced Done, , step 1 of 6
  2. In committee Done, , step 2 of 6
  3. Passed one chamber Done, , step 3 of 6
  4. Passed both chambers Done, , step 4 of 6
  5. Signed by the governor Done, , step 5 of 6
  6. In effect Done, , step 6 of 6

Restricts benefits Made registration with the Veterans Registry a condition of most state veteran benefits.

Created 72 O.S. § 421 and, from November 1, 2020, required registration with the Veterans Registry for the disabled veteran sales tax and vehicle excise tax exemptions, the 100 percent driver licence fee waiver, the licence veteran designation, disabled veteran hunting and fishing licences and the private employer preference. Approved May 12, 2017. The Department of Veterans Affairs registry page attributes the requirement to "Senate Bill 1215, effective November 1, 2021"; SB 1215 of 2020 and of 2022 concerned alcoholic beverage receipts and pharmacist prescribing.

Sponsors

  • HardinHouse
  • SimpsonSenate

And 1 co-sponsor

Touches 72 O.S. § 421 · 68 O.S. § 1357 · 68 O.S. § 2105 · 47 O.S. § 6-101 · 47 O.S. § 6-124 · 29 O.S. § 4-110 · 40 O.S. § 801

Also touches

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.