Military spouses; preference in hiring and promoting in state service further provided for; preference authorized for political subdivisions, private employers

SB 55 expands hiring preferences for military spouses in Alabama state employment. It adds spouses of active-duty service members (not just veterans) to receive five extra points on state job application tests, matching the existing preference for spouses of veterans. The bill also allows local governments and private employers to voluntarily offer similar hiring and promotion preferences to veterans and their spouses. This change updates Alabama's employment code to include active-duty spouses while making the policy available beyond state jobs.