(a) It is determined and declared as a matter of legislative finding that discrimination against an inhabitant of the state because of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, or parenthood is a matter of public concern and that this discrimination not only threatens the rights and privileges of the inhabitants of the state but also menaces the institutions of the state and threatens peace, order, health, safety, and general welfare of the state and its inhabitants.

(b) Therefore, it is the policy of the state and the purpose of this chapter to eliminate and prevent discrimination in employment, in credit and financing practices, in places of public accommodation, in the sale, lease, or rental of real property because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. It is also the policy of the state to encourage and enable physically and mentally disabled persons to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state and to engage in remunerative employment. It is not the purpose of this chapter to supersede laws pertaining to child labor, the age of majority, or other age restrictions or requirements.

(c) Nothing in this chapter is intended to prohibit a private employer from granting an employment preference to a member of the national guard or a veteran when hiring an employee. In this subsection,

(1) “member of the national guard” means a person presently serving as a member in good standing in the national guard;

(2) “veteran” means a person who was discharged under honorable conditions from service in

(A) the armed forces of the United States;

(B) a reserve unit of the armed forces of the United States;

(C) the Alaska Territorial Guard;

(D) the Alaska Army National Guard;

(E) the Alaska Air National Guard; or

(F) the Alaska Naval Militia.