Expands the persons eligible for hiring preferences in State agencies, departments, and institutions under GS 128-15 (employment preference for military veterans and other related persons) to also include:

• A person serving on active duty as long as the person complies with federal law and regulations regarding off-duty employment and their spouse, and spouse or dependent if they are disabled or were killed in active duty.
• A member of the United States Armed Forces Reserve and their spouse, and spouse or dependent if they are disabled or were killed in active duty.
• A member of the National Guard and their spouses, and spouses or dependents of members who are disabled or who were killed in active duty.
• All spouses of veterans (as now defined).

Removes requirements that qualifying persons must have (1) served their country during a period of war or (2) if the benefit flows to a spouse or a dependent of a servicemember or National Guard member, that the person had been disabled or killed for service-related reasons during peacetime. Modifies definition of veteran so that the person’s discharge is under honorable conditions (was, discharge had to have been under other than dishonorable conditions).   

Makes organizational and conforming changes, including to section title.  Removes defined terms period of war, eligible veteran, and eligible member of the national guard. Applies to applications and other employment events occurring on or after the act becomes law.