New Hampshire has broadened the category of veterans eligible for a preference not to work on Veterans Day. The amended statute went into effect on August 31, 2026, making the upcoming holiday the first time certain veterans will be eligible for this preference.
As amended, RSA 115-A:29, I provides that “[a]ny veteran who has received discharge of a character outlined in RSA 21:50 from the United States armed forces shall have a preference not to work during the 24 hours comprising Veterans Day without penalty provided that the employee gives advance notice in accordance with the employer’s policies and procedures.” In practical terms, an eligible veteran who follows the employer’s advance-notice procedures is entitled to a preference not to work on Veterans Day without penalty.
Previously, the New Hampshire Veterans Day preference was given only to veterans who received an “honorable discharge.” By broadening eligibility to veterans who received discharge of a character outlined in RSA 21:50, preference is now given to a person who has been discharged or released from duty in the United States armed forces with (1) an honorable discharge; (2) an uncharacterized discharge based on a service-connected injury, illness, or disability; or (3) a general discharge under honorable conditions.
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