Requires hiring preference for veterans in non-civil service jurisdictions.

This bill (A2998) requires counties and municipalities in New Jersey that have not adopted civil service rules (Title 11A) to give hiring preference to veterans who are equally qualified as non-veteran candidates for open positions. It directly affects local governments without civil service systems and veterans applying for non-police/fire jobs in those jurisdictions. The preference applies only when veterans meet all measurable job requirements at the same level as other applicants. The bill does not change existing veteran hiring preferences for police or fire departments, which are covered under separate statutes.