Senate Endorses DeKruif Veterans Job Protection Bill

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday unanimously approved a bill authored by Sen. Al DeKruif (R-District 25) that aims to help ease high veteran unemployment rates in Minnesota.

SF1689 encourages the state to make a greater effort to hire veterans by adding them to the list of protected groups for jobs in state civil service, and make them more sought out for recruitment by the state.

DeKruif said state veterans groups highlight an unemployment rate of more than 22 percent for recently returned veterans.  Only Michigan and Indiana veterans fare worse, he said.

“Clearly the best way to get veterans back to work is through broad, sustained economic growth. As we work towards that goal, the state can help in other ways,” he said. “This measure takes an aggressive multi-pronged approached to doing that.”

Private sector employers are responsible for hiring veterans to their old positions and are exposed to civil liability if they fail to comply. However, the state—through the 11th Amendment of the Constitution—is immune from civil liability. This legislation puts the state on par with the private sector in veterans’ re-employment contests and removes the state immunity from liability in adherence to federal age discrimination, fair labor standards, family and medical leave, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws.

“Veterans re-employment rights should be applied uniformly, whether in state or national settings,” DeKruif added.

This bill also protects National Guard members by requiring employers to similarly respect service and ensure reemployment regardless of whether duty time is spent in Minnesota or another state.

Editor's note: Provided by Minnesota Senate Media

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