(a) A private employer may grant preference to a veteran in hiring and promotion.

(b) A private employer may grant preference in hiring and promotion to a spouse of a disabled veteran and to a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran.

(c) The granting of a preference based on a person's status under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall not be considered a discriminatory or unfair employment practice under local or state equal employment opportunity law, provided the granting of the preference is not based in any manner on consideration of a characteristic, attribute or category enumerated in state law as constituting a discriminatory or unfair employment practice.

(d) As used in this section:

(i) 'Disabled veteran' means a veteran who has a compensable service connected permanent and total disability certified by the United States veterans administration or by the retirement board of one (1) of the several branches of the armed forces;

(ii) 'Veteran' means a member of the armed forces of the United States whose written evidence of separation from the armed forces shows an honorable discharge or the rendition of honorable military service.