There are several laws that act as protection for military officers and personnels, veterans, and their families. To check or determine if you qualify or are bound for any of the laws in this article, the article How to Find out if Someone is in Military Service can help you with verification.
LAW AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
This law states that it is illegal to discriminate against those who were in the service and were honorably discharged. Honorably discharged means the person has fulfilled his or her service obligations and they have an honorable record. An example of this is being an officer serving in the army but has to be let go for medical reasons. The officer can receive an honorable discharge granted that he or she has fulfilled his or her duties and has a clean record. Those who are bound by this law are those who served in any branch of the armed forces, including the national guard and the reserves.
This law protects military officers, veterans and their families against discriminatory practices in areas such as: place of employment, places of accommodation such as resorts etc., place of amusement, housing and real estate, and banking and insurance.
If you believe that you have experienced discrimination through being denied of equal treatment or access you have the right to file a complaint with the Human Rights Comission. This also applies if you have been discriminated against by your status.
If you are to file a complaint make sure to do it within six months of when the discrimination occured. If it is about a housing situation it can be within 12 months.
EDUCATION LAWS
TUITION BENEFITS
Under this law it states that state community colleges, technical colleges, and universities are authorized to waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible veterans service members, or national guard members. This law also applies to a child or spouse but it will depend on the circumstances. Each institution will have different requirements and programs so contact your school, college, or university to find out more.
RIGHTS OF MILITARY STUDENTS
This law protects the service members of the national guard and the reserves. If they are called for active duty that will last for more than 30 days, they have the right to withdraw from the institution. The paid fees should be credited to the students account. For grades, they should be given a grade of incomplete and they should also be allowed to continue and complete the course upon being released from active duty. Although it is also possible to continue and complete the course if he or she chooses to do so. The absences will be counted as excused; it cannot be used to fail them or impact their grades or class standing in any way.
These are only 2 out of 6 important laws that aid the protection of military members and veterans. It is definitely important that one is aware of these laws because it protects them and secures their rights.
