SB 715 — Requiring state agencies give first consideration to veterans and disabled law-enforcement officers when hiring

WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION IntroducedCommittee Substitute for Senate Bill 715 ByBYS SenatorENATORSW WillisILL, [IntroducedRUCKER,ANDD EEDS [Reported February 2,27, 2026;2026, from the Committee on the Judiciary] CS for SB 715 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §29-6-28, relating to requiring state agencies or appointing authorities to give first consideration to any veteran of the United States armed forces and to any retired or disabled law-enforcement officer when considering applicants for state employment.

referred to the Committee on the Judiciary] Intr SB 715 2026R3652 A BILL to amend and reenact §29-6-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the director of personnel;

and requiring that a state agency or an appointing authority give first consideration to disabled law-enforcement officers when considering applicants for employment with the state.

§29-6-7.§29-6-28.

DirectorFirst consideration in hiring for veterans of personnel;the U.S.

appointment;armed forces and retired or disabled law-enforcement officers.

qualifications;(a) Any state agency or appointing authority shall give first consideration to hiring any veteran of the United States armed forces and any retired or disabled law-enforcement officer when considering applicants for employment with the state.

powers(b) andTo duties.receive first consideration pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, an applicant shall provide documentation, which may not include medical records, to the state agency or appointing authority as follows:

(a)(1) TheA Secretaryveteran of the DepartmentUnited ofStates Administrationarmed forces shall appointprovide thedocumentation director.validating his or her military service;

Theand director(2) shallA belaw-enforcement aofficer personshall knowledgeableprovide ofdocumentation thevalidating applicationhis of the merit principles in public employment as evidenced by the obtainment of a degree in business administration, personnel administration, public administration or theher equivalentretirement or atdisability. least five years of administrative experience.

The(c) salaryAs forused thein directorthis shallsection, be“veteran” thathas whichthe ismeaning setspecified out in section§6-13-1 two-a, article seven, chapter six of this code.

(b) The director shall:

(1) Consistent with the provisions of this article, administer the operations of the division, allocating the functions and activities of the division among sections as the director may establish;

(2) Maintain a personnel management information system necessary to carry out the provisions of this article;

(3) Supervise payrolls and audit payrolls, reports or transactions for conformity with the provisions of this article;

(4) Plan, evaluate, administer and implement personnel programs and policies in state government and to political subdivisions after agreement by the parties;

(5) Supervise the employee selection process and employ performance evaluation procedures;

(6) Develop programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the public service, including, but not limited to, employee training, development, assistance and incentives, which, Intr SB 715 2026R3652 notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, may include a one-time monetary incentive for recruitment and retention of employees in critically understaffed classifications.

The director, in consultation with the board, shall determine which classifications are critically understaffed.

The one-time monetary incentive program shall continue until June 30, 2009.

The director shall report annually on or before December 31, commencing in the year 2007, to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

The annual report shall provide all relevant information on the one-time monetary incentive program and the understaffed classifications in state agencies;

(7) Establish pilot programs and other projects for a maximum of one year outside of the provisions of this article, subject to approval by the board, to be included in the annual report;

(8) Establish and provide for a public employee interchange program and may provide for a voluntary employee interchange program between public and private sector employees;

(9) Establish an internship program;

(10) Assist the Governor and Secretary of the Department of Administration in general workforce planning and other personnel matters;

(11) Make an annual report to the Governor and Legislature and all other special or periodic reports as may be required;

(12) Assess cost for special or other services;

(13) Recommend rules to the board for implementation of this article;

and (14) Conduct schools, seminars or classes for supervisory employees of the state regarding handling of complaints and disciplinary matters and the operation of the state personnel system:

and (15) Require a state agency or an appointing authority to give first consideration to hiring U.S.

military veterans and retired or disabled law enforcement officers when considering applicants for employment with the state.

Intr SB 715 2026R3652 NOTE:

The purpose of this bill is to require that a state agency or an appointing authority of the state give first consideration to disabled law enforcement officers when considering applicants for employment with the state.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.