Montana § 39-29-102 - Point Preference Or Alternative Preference In Initial Hiring For Certain Applicants -- Substantially Equivalent Selection Procedure

§ 39-29-102. Point Preference Or Alternative Preference In Initial Hiring For Certain Applicants -- Substantially Equivalent Selection Procedure

Point preference or alternative preference in initial hiring for certain applicants -- substantially equivalent selection procedure. (1) Subject to the restrictions in subsections (2) and (3), whenever a public employer uses a scored procedure, an applicant for an initial hiring, as defined in 39-30-103 , must have added to the applicant's score the following percentage points of the total possible points that may be granted in the scored procedure: (a) 5 percentage points if the applicant is a veteran; and (b) 10 percentage points if the applicant is a disabled veteran or an eligible relative. (2) A veteran, disabled veteran, or eligible relative may not receive the percentage points provided for in subsection (1) unless the person: (a) is a United States citizen; and (b) meets the minimum qualifications required for the position. If no applicant meets the minimum qualifications and the public employer fills a training position, veterans' preference must be applied. (3) A disabled veteran who receives 10 percentage points under subsection (1)(b) may not receive an additional 5 percentage points under subsection (1)(a). (4) Whenever a public employer uses a selection procedure other than a scored procedure, the public employer shall give preference to a disabled veteran, a person with a disability, a veteran, an eligible relative as defined in 39-29-101 , and an eligible spouse as defined in 39-30-103 , in that order, over any nonpreferred applicant holding substantially equal qualifications, as defined in 39-30-103 . (5) The preference under this section may include a guaranteed job interview for a veteran who meets the required qualifications for the position and has requested a preference, as provided in 39-29-103 , if the public employer provides for a job interview preference by rule or ordinance. The guarantee of a job interview is not part of the preference claim that may be enforced as provided in 39-29-104 .