Veterans - As introduced, requires local governmental entities to invite honorably discharged veterans who apply for employment or promotion to interview; requires preference be given to such veteran if the minimum qualifications and the skills, abilities, competencies, and knowledge of the veteran and any another applicant being interviewed for the position are equal; requires state and local application forms to provide the option for an applicant to declare veteran status. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51; Title 8, Chapter 30, Part 3 and Title 58, Chapter 2.

HB 2397 requires Tennessee local governments (such as cities, counties, and agencies) to invite honorably discharged veterans to interview for public sector jobs or promotions when they apply. If a veteran meets the minimum job requirements and their skills are equal to another candidate, they must be given hiring preference. The bill also mandates that all public job applications include an option for applicants to declare veteran status. Additionally, it extends certain preferences to spouses of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability or those who died in military service, while requiring local entities to document reasons for not selecting a veteran.