Senate 715

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 715

By Senators Willis, Rucker, and Deeds

[Reported February 27, 2026, from the Committee on the Judiciary]

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.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 6. CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.

§29-6-28. First consideration in hiring for veterans of the U.S. armed forces and retired or disabled law-enforcement officers.

(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.

(b) To 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:

(1) A veteran of the United States armed forces shall provide documentation validating his or her military service; and

(2) A law-enforcement officer shall provide documentation validating his or her retirement or disability.

(c) As used in this section, “veteran” has the meaning specified in §6-13-1 of this code.