By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would amend the state’s current veterans’ preference law which places veterans who pass the exam at the top of the eligibility list for civil service positions. The current order is: disabled veterans, veterans and spouses or single parents of veterans who were killed in action or who died from a service-connected disability incurred during wartime service, provided that the spouse or parent has not remarried.

The amendment would add members of the Massachusetts National Guard and Reserves of the United States Armed Forces with no less than two years of continuous service to the list.

Supporters said these two new categories should be added in order to help these additional veterans who risk their lives to protect the nation.

Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Clinton), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to comment on the passage of her proposal.