# Labor and Employment (GLE)

## Title 3. Employment Standards and Conditions

### Subtitle 7. Miscellaneous

#### Section 3-714

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Eligible veteran" means a veteran, as defined in Sec. 9-901 of the State Government Article, who has received an other than dishonorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of service, including:

    (i) a reserve component;

    (ii) the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service; and

    (iii) the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

  (3) "Employer" includes a county or municipal corporation.

(b) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, an employer may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to:

  (1) an eligible veteran;

  (2) the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability;

  (3) the spouse of an active service member; or

  (4) the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran.

(c) Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any State or local equal employment opportunity law.

(d) If an employer that is a county or municipal corporation chooses to grant a preference under subsection (b) of this section, the county or municipal corporation may adopt a local law that provides for the hiring and promotion preference before implementing the preference.

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Md. Code Ann., Lab. & Empl. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)