TITLE VI
PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 99-F
VETERANS, DISABLED VETERANS', AND MILITARY SPOUSES' PREFERENCE IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Section 99-F:2

    99-F:2 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Active duty" means full-time duty under Title 10 of the United States Code as an enlisted member, or as a commissioned or warrant officer, in any branch of the armed forces of the United States. Active duty shall not include attendance at a school under military orders, except schooling incident to an active enlistment or a regular tour of duty, or normal military training as a reserve officer or member of an organized reserve or a national guard unit.
II. "Armed forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, including:
(a) The Army Reserve.
(b) The Navy Reserve.
(c) The Marine Corps Reserve.
(d) The Air Force Reserve.
(e) The Coast Guard Reserve.
(f) The Army National Guard of the United States.
(g) The Air National Guard of the United States.
III. "Combat zone" means an area designated by the President of the United States by executive order in which, on the dates designated by executive order, the armed forces of the United States are or have engaged in combat.
III-a. "Eligible service member" means a service member on active duty.
III-b. "Veteran or disabled veteran" shall include an eligible service member's military spouse.
IV. "Disabled veteran" means:
(a) A person entitled to disability compensation under the laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
(b) A person whose discharge or release from active duty was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or
(c) A person who was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.
V. "Public employer" means the state or any department of the state and any person authorized to act on behalf of the state or any department of the state with respect to control, management, or supervision of any employee.
VI. "Veteran" means a person who:

[Paragraph VI(a) effective until Aug. 31, 2026; see also paragraph VI(a) set out below.]


(a) Served on active duty with the armed forces of the United States:
(1) For more than 178 consecutive days and was honorably discharged or released from active duty;
(2) For 178 days or less and was honorably discharged or released from active duty; or
(3) For at least one day in a combat zone and was honorably discharged or released from active duty; or

[Paragraph VI(a) effective Aug. 31, 2026; see also paragraph VI(a) set out above.]


(a) Served on active duty with the armed forces of the United States:
(1) For more than 178 consecutive days and was discharged of a character outlined in RSA 21:50 or released from active duty;
(2) For 178 days or less and was honorably discharged or released from active duty; or
(3) For at least one day in a combat zone and was discharged of a character outlined in RSA 21:50 or released from active duty; or
(b) Received a combat or campaign ribbon for service in the armed forces of the United States.

Source. 2014, 264:2, eff. July 28, 2014. 2023, 21:3, eff. July 3, 2023. 2025, 107:7, eff. Aug. 22, 2025. 2026, 252:7, eff. Aug. 31, 2026.