(a) When invitations to interview candidates are extended, whether for appointment or promotion, and the list of eligibles includes any person who has been honorably discharged from the army, navy, air force, marine corps or coast guard or any member of the reserve components, as defined in 10 USC § 10101, who performs active federal service in the armed forces of the United States, these persons must be invited to interview.

(b) If a veteran is on the list of eligibles, and if the minimum qualifications and the skills, abilities, competencies and knowledge of the veteran and any another applicant being interviewed for the position are equal, preference shall be given to the veteran for the position.

(c) When invitations to interview candidates are extended, whether for appointment or promotion, the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must be invited to interview, if the spouse or surviving spouse is a qualified voter in Tennessee or has been a resident of this state for two (2) years preceding such person's application, and one (1) of the two (2) following circumstances exists:

(1) As a result of such military service, the veteran suffered a one hundred percent (100%) service-connected disability or is permanently and totally disabled; or

(2)

(A) The veteran died in the line of duty during such military service; and

(B) The surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran.

(d) Any appointing authority who passes over an eligible veteran and selects an eligible nonveteran shall file with the commissioner, within thirty (30) days, the reasons for so doing, which reasons will become a part of the veteran's record, but will not be made available to anyone other than the veteran, except in the discretion of the appointing authority.