§3–714.

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

        (2)    “Eligible veteran” means a veteran, as defined in § 9–901 of the State Government Article, who has received an honorable 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 eligible 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.