Michigan Veterans scored a major win during a marathon lame duck session of the Michigan Legislature.
Just after 12:30 a.m., the Michigan Senate voted unanimously in support of House Bill 5418, legislation introduced by State Rep. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights), which grants private employers the ability to adopt a veterans’ preference employment policy when hiring new employees.
The bill is now headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.
“With little time to spare, we were able to gain the support of Republican leadership in the Senate to bring this critical bill up for a vote,” said Knezek. “There are many people to thank who helped me push this legislation across the finish line, including Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Director Jason Allen, Rep. Jase Bolger, Rep. Jim Stamas, Sen. Randy Richardville, Sen. Arlan Meekhof and Sen. John Moolenaar. Wayne County Commissioner Richard LeBlanc even stepped in just before midnight to lend his voice to the chorus of those asking for this bill to be passed.”
“By putting party politics aside and working together, we were able to take a monumental step forward in addressing the issue of veteran unemployment in Michigan,” he added.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not pre-empt formal state action allowing for the creation of such preference policies for veterans. However, Michigan currently has no such law on the books authorizing such a practice for private employers. While public employers have been able to authorize such a preference since the Civil War, 2015 will mark the first time private employers can do the same.
“Serving as a voice for Michigan veterans has been, and will continue to be, one of my top priorities,” said Knezek. “I believe we can do better here in our state, and I’m happy to work with anyone and everyone to make sure our veterans are protected.”
