H. B. 2421

                        (By Delegates P. Smith, Rodighiero, Trecost, Eldridge, Lynch,

                                        Williams, Longstreth, Rowe and Ferro)

                        [Introduced January 27, 2015; referred to the

                        Committee on Veterans’ Affairs then Finance.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §6-13A-1, relating to retaining jobs for certain disabled veterans seeking or receiving treatment for active duty service-connected injury.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new article, designated §6-13A-1, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 13A. JOB RETENTION FOR CERTAIN DISABLED VETERANS.

§6-13A-1. Jobs to be held for certain disabled veterans seeking or receiving treatment for service-connected injury.

            (a) A disabled veteran who has been employed in any position in any agency as defined in section four, article one, chapter five-f of this code or any other political subdivision of this state and who has suffered an injury causing a compensable service-connected disability while on active duty, as established by any proper veterans' bureau or department of the federal government, shall have his or her position retained while the veteran is seeking or receiving treatment for the injury.

            (b) To receive the benefit provided in subsection (a) of this section, separation from active duty must have been under honorable conditions. This includes honorable and general discharges. Active duty for training in the military reserve and National Guard programs is not considered active duty for purposes of this section.

            NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide job retention for certain veterans employed by state or local agencies seeking or receiving treatment for the injury or injuries which led to the veteran’s service-connected disability.

            This article is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.