Military Veterans May Soon Get Help Finding Work

Legislation nearing passage would allow private businesses in Indiana to give preference to military veterans when hiring new employees. It’s a system already in use in the public sector.

Federal law bars private companies from using hiring preferences for certain groups of people, unless specifically authorized to do so by the state.  Columbia City Republican Sen. Amanda Banks says a bill she’s sponsoring would make Indiana the 14th state to allow a hiring preference for veterans.

“So I think this is a really positive trend around the country in response to our post-9/11 veterans who are having, in some cases, difficulty finding a job when they return,” Banks said.

Walmart representative Matt Norris says the retail giant has been a driving force behind the bill.

“Memorial Day of 2013, Walmart made a commitment to hire any returning veteran seeking employment with Walmart," Norris said. "We anticipate that that could benefit up to a hundred thousand veterans over the next five years and this legislation would go a long way in helping us fulfill that mission.”

There are two nearly identical bills, one each in the House and Senate, on the issue, both receiving unanimous support.  Lawmakers expect to work out minor differences before sending a final product to the governor.