SECTION 1. Section 9 of chapter 8 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2014 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “superintendent”, in lines 22 to 23, inclusive, the following words:- ; provided, further that when considering applicants for such urban park ranger positions, the commissioner shall follow the rules and regulations developed for the hiring of rangers regarding preferential consideration of applicants who are veterans as provided for in section 68 of chapter 21.

SECTION 2. Chapter 21 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 68. When considering applicants for state park ranger positions, the department shall develop rules and regulations for the hiring of rangers that includes guidelines for preferential consideration of applicants who are veterans as defined under section 1 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws.

SECTION 3. Subsection (a) of section 34B of chapter 92 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following sentence:- When considering applicants for the park ranger program, positions, the commissioner of the department of conservation and recreation shall develop rules and regulations for the hiring of rangers that includes guidelines for preferential consideration of applicants who are veterans as defined under section 1 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws.

SECTION 4. Section 7A of chapter 132A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “benefits” in line 6, the following words:- ; provided, however, that when considering applicants for such positions, the commissioner shall develop rules and regulations for the hiring of rangers that includes guidelines for preferential consideration of applicants who are veterans as defined under section 1 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws.