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AN ACT
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relating to a voluntary veteran's employment preference for private |
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employers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle A, Title 2, Labor Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 23 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 23. VOLUNTARY VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE FOR PRIVATE |
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EMPLOYERS |
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Sec. 23.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "veteran" means |
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an individual who: |
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(1) has served on active duty in the armed forces of |
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the United States; and |
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(2) was honorably discharged from military service. |
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Sec. 23.002. VOLUNTARY PREFERENCE POLICY. (a) A private |
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employer may adopt a policy under which the employer may give a |
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preference in employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion, or |
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retention to a veteran over another qualified applicant or |
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employee. |
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(b) A policy adopted under this section must be in writing. |
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Sec. 23.003. APPLICATION OF POLICY. (a) A private employer |
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shall apply any policy adopted under this chapter reasonably and in |
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good faith in employment decisions regarding hiring, promotion, or |
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retention during a reduction in the employer's workforce. |
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(b) A private employer may require appropriate |
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documentation from a veteran for the veteran to be eligible for the |
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preference under a policy adopted under this chapter. |
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(c) Granting a preference in accordance with a policy |
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adopted under this chapter does not violate Chapter 21. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an employment decision made on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. An employment decision made before the effective date of |
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this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the decision |
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was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3547 was passed by the House on May 8, |
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2015, by the following vote: Yeas 130, Nays 12, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 3547 was passed by the Senate on May |
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26, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |