(a) Subject to subsection (c), the board or persons having the authority to employ members of the fire or police department shall give a preference for employment according to the following priority:

1. (1) A war veteran who has been discharged from the armed forces of the United States under conditions other than conditions set forth in IC 10-17-12-8.1 (2).

2. (2) A person whose mother or father was a:

   1. (A) firefighter of a unit;
   2. (B) municipal police officer; or

   3. (C) county police officer;

      who died in the line of duty (as defined in IC 5-10-10-2 ).

(b) Subject to subsection (c), the board or person having the authority to employ members of a fire or police department may give a preference for employment to any of the following:

1. (1) A police officer or firefighter laid off by another city under section 11 of this chapter.
2. (2) A county police officer laid off by a sheriff's department under IC 36-8-10-11.1 .

3. (3) A person who:

   1. (A) was employed full-time or part-time by a township to provide fire protection and emergency services; and
   2. (B) has been laid off by the township.

(c) A person described in subsection (a) or (b) may not receive a preference for employment unless the person:

1. (1) applies; and

2. (2) meets all employment requirements prescribed:

   1. (A) by law, including physical and age requirements; and

   2. (B) by the fire or police department.

      [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-1-35-3.]

      As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.53. Amended by P.L.95-2003, SEC.1; P.L.110-2010, SEC.35; P.L.238-2025, SEC.92; P.L.94-2026, SEC.87.