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Call Now: 904-383-7448Any veteran who has served as a member of the armed forces of the United States during the period of a war or armed conflict in which any branch of the armed forces of the United States engaged, whether under United States command or otherwise, and was honorably discharged therefrom, shall be given such veterans preference in any civil service program established in state government as may be provided by law. Any such law must provide at least ten points to a veteran having at least a 10 percent service connected disability as rated and certified by the Veterans Administration, and all other such veterans shall be entitled to at least five points.
- Art. IV, Sec. VI, Para. II.
- Veterans preference before state examining boards, § 43-1-9.
Veterans preference in scoring civil service examinations, §§ 45-2-21,45-2-22.
- Veterans' preference has traditionally been justified as a measure designed to reward veterans for the sacrifice of military service, to ease the transition from military to civilian life, to encourage patriotic service, and to attract loyal and well-disciplined people to civil service occupations. Boykin v. Strickland, 245 Ga. 294, 264 S.E.2d 225 (1980); Dash v. Department of Human Resources, 153 Ga. App. 633, 266 S.E.2d 305 (1980).
Public policy supporting reasonableness of class preference for veterans applies equally to hiring and layoffs. Boykin v. Strickland, 245 Ga. 294, 264 S.E.2d 225 (1980).
Cited in Brown v. State Merit Sys. of Personnel Admin., 245 Ga. 239, 264 S.E.2d 186 (1980).
- There is no conflict between the preference in employment granted veterans under this paragraph, and the extra points granted to veterans when taking licensure examinations offered by the various state examining boards under Ga. L. 1968, p. 1213, § 1 (see now O.C.G.A. § 43-1-9, et seq.), since the two provisions speak of separate types of veterans' preferences. 1978 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 78-69.(see Ga. Const. 1983, Art. IV, Sec. III, Para. II).
First prerequisite in determining veteran's eligibility under this paragraph is his or her service. 1945-47 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 469.(see Ga. Const. 1983, Art. IV, Sec. III, Para. II).
- This paragraph is sufficiently broad in scope and intent to embrace within it all persons accorded preferences under the provisions of the federal civil service laws. 1945-47 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 469.(see Ga. Const. 1983, Art. IV, Sec. III, Para. II).
- Absolute veterans' preference in reductions-in-force in the classified service of the state merit system can constitutionally be amended only by appropriate action of the General Assembly. 1982 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 82-48.
The General Assembly has authority to decrease or otherwise amend current veterans' preference in reduction-in-force situations and such amendment could affect both current and future employees. 1982 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 82-88.
- The preference under state civil service systems accorded veterans by this paragraph includes wives of disabled veterans and widows of deceased veterans. 1945-47 Op. Att'y Gen. p. 469.(see Ga. Const. 1983, Art. IV, Sec. III, Para. II).
- 81A C.J.S., States, §§ 193, 194.
- Character of service or connection with military or naval service necessary to entitle one to benefit of veterans' preference statute in relation to civil service, 87 A.L.R. 1002.
Constitutionality of state veterans' public employment preference laws, 161 A.L.R. 494.