(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Eligible veteran” means a veteran of any branch of the uniformed services who has received an honorable discharge or a certificate of satisfactory completion of service, including:
(i) a reserve component;
(ii) the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service; and
(iii) the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3) “Reserve component” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
(4) “Veteran” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.
(b) The Commission may grant a preference in hiring and promotion to:
(1) an eligible veteran;
(2) the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service–connected disability; or
(3) the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran.
(c) Granting a preference under subsection (b) of this section does not violate any State or local equal employment opportunity law.