Bill would extend state hiring preference to military spouses

A bill to extend Maine’s state hiring preference to spouses of active‑duty service members, reservists and National Guard members drew technical questions but broad support at a public hearing Friday.

Sen. Brad Farren described LD 2130 as a ‘‘simple, powerful and common‑sense’’ measure to help military spouses, who face frequent relocations and a reported elevated unemployment rate. "These are individuals who are educated, resilient and ready to work," Farren said, citing an estimated 21% unemployment rate among military spouses that the sponsor used to frame the problem.

Margaret Eddy, legislative and policy analyst for the Bureau of Human Resources (Department of Administrative and Financial Services), told the committee the state already guarantees an interview to veterans and gold‑star spouses who meet minimum qualifications and that LD 2130 would extend that hiring preference to spouses of active‑duty, reserve and National Guard members. She recommended statutory language adjustments on retention/bumping provisions be reviewed at work session.

David Richmond, director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, said LD 2130 aligns with his bureau’s Welcome Home Project and supports connecting returning service members and families with benefits and services. Richmond and committee members discussed definitional and eligibility details; Richmond offered to provide clarifying language and work with the sponsor at the work session.

Committee members did not take a vote; the chair closed the public hearing and asked analysts and sponsors to prepare clarifying language for the work session.