Bill would allow private employers to give preference to hiring veterans

Employers would be able to show a hiring preference to military veterans if a House bill becomes law.

House Bill 2154 would allow private employers in Kansas to voluntarily adopt policies that give preference to veterans in filling job vacancies provided they meet the requirements for the position.

The House Committee on Veterans, Military and Homeland Security reviewed the proposal at a hearing Tuesday and will likely vote on it Thursday.

Martin Dempsey, Midwest liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense, testified that many employers who would like to show a hiring preference to veterans “are hesitant to do so out of fear of being sued” under equal employment opportunity laws, noting that U.S. veterans are disproportionately male.

However, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act contains an exemption that gives states the power to allow employers to show a preference for hiring veterans. Twelve states have adopted such a policy, according to Dempsey. “Certainly, the need for your help is out there,” he told the committee.

Rep. Les Osterman, R-Wichita, a Vietnam veteran and vice chair of the committee, said the bill is greatly needed.

“I’m very excited about it. I think it’s one that’s going to be well worthwhile,” he said.

“We’re having more and more veterans having trouble getting work, and so this will help them get the jobs,” Osterman said. “Our veterans’ unemployment rate’s clear up at 12-13 percent, so we’ve got to get it down.”

This story was originally published February 10, 2015 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Bill would allow private employers to give preference to hiring veterans."