# Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-107: Veterans preference

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-107

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-107
- **Heading:** Veterans preference
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 50 / Chapter 1 / Section 50-1-107

## Text

(a) A private employer may adopt an employment policy that gives preference in hiring to: (1) An honorably discharged veteran; (2) The spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability; (3) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability; or (4) The unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United States armed forces who died in the line of duty. (b) A private employer adopting a veterans preference shall have the policy in writing and may require submission of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), as proof of eligibility for the veterans preference employment policy. (c) A policy adopted pursuant to subsection (a) must be applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding hiring and promotion. (d) The preferences authorized by this section are not considered violations of any state or local equal employment opportunity law. (e) Nothing in this section requires a private employer to provide a preference in hiring to any of the persons listed in subsection (a). Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 271,s 1, eff. 5/4/2017. Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 9,s 1, eff. 3/22/2017.
(a) A private employer may adopt an employment policy that gives preference in hiring to: (1) An honorably discharged veteran; (2) The spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability; (3) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability; or (4) The unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United States armed forces who died in the line of duty.
(1) An honorably discharged veteran;
(2) The spouse of a veteran with a service-connected disability;
(3) The unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who died of a service-connected disability; or
(4) The unremarried widow or widower of a member of the United States armed forces who died in the line of duty.
(b) A private employer adopting a veterans preference shall have the policy in writing and may require submission of a certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), as proof of eligibility for the veterans preference employment policy.
(c) A policy adopted pursuant to subsection (a) must be applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding hiring and promotion.
(d) The preferences authorized by this section are not considered violations of any state or local equal employment opportunity law.
(e) Nothing in this section requires a private employer to provide a preference in hiring to any of the persons listed in subsection (a).
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 271,s 1, eff. 5/4/2017.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 9,s 1, eff. 3/22/2017.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-101 Memorandum of understanding with the department of homeland security for enforcement of federal immigration laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-102 False or deceptive representations in procuring employees - Penalty - Hiring armed guards - Failure to have permit - Penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-103 Employment of illegal aliens](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-104 State officials notified of plant closings or mass layoffs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-104.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-105 Providing employee information to prospective employers - Good faith](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-105.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-106 Immigration status](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-106.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-107 Veterans preference](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-107.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-108 Nondisclosure agreement with respect to sexual harassment in workplace as condition of employment prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-108.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-109 Physicians mandatory disclosure of participation in a physician wellness program prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-109.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-110 Independent contractors - mandatory disclosure of participation in a physician wellness program prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-110.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-201 Denial of employment because of affiliation or nonaffiliation with labor union or employee organization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-202 Contracting for exclusion from employment because of affiliation or nonaffiliation with labor union or employee organization](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-203 Exclusion from employment for payment of or failure to pay union or employee organization dues](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-203.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 50-1-204 Prohibition against execution of an agreement with union or employee organization that includes maintenance of membership clause](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-204.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T50_C1_S50-1-107. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
