Trachtenberg Applauds Signing of Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill

Today, Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg celebrated the signing into law of Montgomery County Bill 46-09, which establishes a hiring preference for veterans and persons with disabilities for a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. The new law alters an existing hiring preference for veterans, giving the same advantage to people with disabilities. It also creates a new classification—veterans with disabilities. The signing took place this morning at the Executive Office Building on Monroe Street in Rockville. The room was packed full of leaders from the disability as well as veterans communities. As County Executive Ike Leggett signed the bill into law, the room let out a collective applause to celebrate this momentous and historic step for Montgomery County.

"The is a joyous occasion," said Trachtenberg. "I am thrilled that Bill 46-09 is signed into law for residents of Montgomery County. Now the government and residents of Montgomery County have an opportunity to benefit from the contributions and talents of all of our neighbors, regardless of a disability they might have." Councilmember Trachtenberg also related a conversation between her and her friend Stephanie, a woman with disabilities. She said that Stephanie wanted the opportunity to live just like everyone else. This Bill helps Stephanie as well as others with disabilities to have the same opportunities as well as possibilities to achieve their potential.

Bill 46-09 requires the County Executive to adopt regulations establishing and maintaining a hiring preference for certain qualified persons with disabilities who apply for an initial appointment to a County merit system position. The Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Trachtenberg, recommended amending the bill to place a veteran with a disability first in the order of hiring preference and to give a veteran without a disability and a non-veteran with a disability an equal preference. The law relies on the definition of disabled used in federal hiring programs, not the broader definition used to prevent discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The applicant must have proof of the disability, certification of job readiness, and meet all required qualifications for the position.

Among those attending the ceremony were Councilmember Phil Andrews (D Gaithersburg-Rockville), the measure’s chief sponsor, Chairman of the Commission on Veterans Affairs Bill Gray, and Chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities Mark Maxin. Legislative aide Laurie Edberg attended the ceremony with Councilmember Trachtenberg.