SENATE, No. 2817

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED AUGUST 13, 2020

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  VIN GOPAL

District 11 (Monmouth)

Senator  JOSEPH PENNACCHIO

District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)

Assemblywoman  JOANN DOWNEY

District 11 (Monmouth)

Assemblyman  JOE DANIELSEN

District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)

Assemblyman  ERIC HOUGHTALING

District 11 (Monmouth)

 

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Brown, Pou, Assemblymen Zwicker, Space, Wirths and Benson

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Allows active duty service members to provide document other than DD-214 when claiming veterans’ preference for civil service.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act concerning document required to claim veterans’ preference for civil service and amending P.L.2000, c.127.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 3 of P.L.2000, c.127 (C.11A:5-1.1) is amended to read as follows:

     3.    a.  The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs shall be responsible for determining whether any person seeking to be considered a "veteran" or a "disabled veteran" under N.J.S.11A:5-1, for the purpose of receiving civil service preference, meets the criteria set forth therein and adjudicating an appeal from any person disputing this determination.  The determination of the Adjutant General shall apply only prospectively from the date of initial determination or date of determination from an appeal, as appropriate, and shall be binding upon the commission.

     b.    A person seeking to be considered a "veteran" or a "disabled veteran" under N.J.S.11A:5-1, for the purpose of receiving civil service preference, who has not yet been issued Form DD-214 as proof of military service may submit, in lieu thereof, an official  certification or verification of military service statement or letter that provides the date of entry into military service, the estimated date of discharge or release, the character of the discharge, and such other information as the Adjutant General shall require.  The Adjutant General shall specify the form, content, and source for an official certification or verification of military service statement or letter  based on such statements or letters that are approved and provided by the federal military authorities. 

     The person shall submit to the Adjutant General the Form DD-214 no later than 30 days from the date the person receives the form.  If a copy is not provided, the prior determination of veteran status shall be revoked.

(cf: P.L.2008, c.29, s.43)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would allow a person  seeking veterans’ preference for civil service purposes who has not yet been issued the official Form DD-214 as proof of military service to submit, in lieu thereof, an
official certification or verification of military service statement or  letter that provides the date of entry into military service, the estimated date of discharge or release, the character of the discharge, and such other information as the Adjutant General shall require.  The Adjutant General will specify the form, content, and source for an official certification or verification of military service statement or letter based on such statements or letters that are approved and provided by the federal military authorities. 

     The person must submit to the Adjutant General the Form DD-214 no later than 30 days from the date the person receives the form.  If a copy is not provided, the prior determination of veteran status will be revoked.

     In order to receive veterans’ preference on a civil service application, the regulations of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs require a veteran to submit a copy of Form DD-214, or another document if military records have been destroyed. 

     This bill would allow a person who is still on active military duty, but who expects to be discharged or released soon, to begin the process of securing veterans’ preference before discharge occurs.