19-14-102. Interview preference in public departments; qualifications.

(a) In every public department veterans or surviving spouses shall have a preference prior to the interview process. Age or other impairment which does not in fact materially incapacitate shall not disqualify them from receiving preference if they possess the business capacity, competency, education or other qualifications for discharge of the duties required. If the disabilities do not materially interfere with performance of the duties, the disabled veterans shall be given preference over able-bodied veterans.

(b) Each official or person having power of appointment in the public service is charged with the faithful compliance with the duties herein prescribed.

(c) Whenever a veteran or surviving spouse applies for initial employment with a public department that uses a numerical scoring system prior to its interview process, the veteran or surviving spouse shall be allowed a five percent (5%) advantage over any nonveteran. A veteran that has a service connected disability of ten percent (10%) or more shall be given a ten percent (10%) advantage. Whenever a veteran or surviving spouse applies for initial employment with a public department and no numerical scoring system is used prior to the interview process, the veteran or surviving spouse shall be given an advantage over nonveteran candidates that reasonably approximates the advantage given to veterans or surviving spouses applying for initial employment with a public department that uses a numerical scoring system in the interview process pursuant to this subsection. No preference under this section shall be given to a veteran currently employed by a public department.

(d) As used in this section:

(i) "Public department" includes the state of Wyoming or any of its branches, agencies, municipalities, counties, school districts, political subdivisions, special districts, community college districts and the University of Wyoming;

(ii) "Veteran" means a member of the United States military establishment honorably discharged from service who has been a resident of the state of Wyoming for one (1) year or more at any time prior to the date when the veteran applies for employment;

(iii) "Surviving spouse" means a person who was married to a veteran at the time of the veteran's death and who receives survivor benefits from the federal government based on the veteran's military service.