Back to California

AB-901 • 2026

Veterans’ preferences: eligible spouses.

Veterans’ preferences: eligible spouses.

Labor
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Sharp-Collins
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Military and Veterans Affairs
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The source states employers 'may grant' preferences for spouses, indicating this is optional rather than mandatory.

Veterans' Preferences: Eligible Spouses

This law adds active duty service members to the list of people who must be ranked first on job eligibility lists and allows employers to give hiring preferences or test credits to eligible spouses.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires that active duty service members who pass an entrance exam be placed in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list, just like veterans and their families currently are.
  • Allows authorizing employers to choose whether to grant a preference in hiring and promotion to eligible spouses of military-connected individuals.
  • Authorizes eligible spouses of active duty service members, widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans to receive credit points on selection tests related to hiring and promotions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Active duty service members taking state civil service exams
  • Eligible spouses of active duty service members, widows or widowers of veterans, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans
  • State employers who hire for competitive jobs

Terms To Know

Veterans' preference
A rule that gives extra points or a higher rank to people with military service when applying for state government jobs.
Eligibility list
The ranked list of applicants who passed an exam and are being considered for a job opening.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Employers may choose to give the preference, but they do not have to.
  • The official source text does not include an effective date or specify when this law will start.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Military and Veterans Affairs

Official Summary Text

Veterans’ preferences: eligible spouses.