Pennachio’s bill to cut red tape for veterans was signed into New Jersey law.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would allow veterans without official active duty discharge forms to receive veterans’ preference on civil service applications was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.

“The men and women who serve our nation in the military deserve to have access to the benefits they earned without having to go through excessive government red tape,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This legislation will allow a person who is still on active military duty, but who expects to be discharged soon, to begin the process of securing veterans’ preference. We have a responsibility to support these brave heroes on and off the battlefield. I’m glad to see this bill signed into law.”

Currently, in order to receive veterans’ preference on a civil service application, the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs requires veterans to submit a copy of Form DD-214 as proof of military service.

Pennacchio’s bill, S-2817/A-4624, would allow a person seeking veterans’ preference for civil service purposes, who has not yet been issued an official DD-214 form, to submit other forms instead.

In lieu of DD-214, the veteran may submit an official certification of military service statement or letter that provides the date of entry into military service, the estimated date of discharge, the character of the discharge, or other information.