OPM has issued proposed rules, in the December 29 Federal Register, to update veterans preference policies, in some cases to take into account changes in law of recent years.
One change obligates agencies to grant veterans preference to an applicant who is still on military duty but who submits a certification of an expected honorable discharge within 120 days—even though the applicant by that time would not have the standard form showing military service required to get preference.
Another grants preference in cases where a veteran was discharged by reason of sole survivorship, which is granted in certain family situations.
OPM also aims to clarify procedures for ranking of candidates in category rating, a system in which veterans preference applies differently than in the “rule of three” method that it largely replaced in recent years; and more clearly state the requirements for the order of consideration in excepted service hiring.
