§18–111.

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

        (2)    “Eligible veteran” means a veteran of any branch of the uniformed services 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)    “Reserve component” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.

        (4)    “Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.

    (b)    The Commission 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; or

        (3)    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.