By KARA BROOKS
Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence

Gov. Mike Pence signed SEA 298, Voluntary Veterans’ Preference Employment Policy, on Wednesday, which allows private employers to give preference to veterans, as verified by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in the hiring, promoting or retaining of qualified applicants or employees. The bill passed the House and Senate with unanimous and bipartisan support.

“Our Hoosier heroes deserve our utmost respect, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” said Pence. “The legislation I sign today will ensure these courageous men and women have every opportunity for success in their chosen careers after putting their lives on the line for our freedom. I applaud the members of the Indiana General Assembly for recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of the members of our armed forces through this important legislation.”

The governor also signed bills regarding job training for unemployed Hoosiers and reform of local governments:

• HEA 1497 – which bolsters the Jobs for Hoosiers program that requires individuals filing for unemployment to visit a WorkOne center within the first four weeks of receiving benefits and requires a person collecting unemployment to participate in certain reemployment services including an orientation to services available at a One-Stop Career Center, labor market and career information, and skills assessment.
• HEA 1104 – providing the State Board of Accounts with the ability to focus its resources on local governments at highest risk of loss due to fraud and noncompliance with statutory requirements.

The Bill Watch page will be updated accordingly: http://www.in.gov/gov/2015billwatch.htm.