I. Any veteran who has received an honorable discharge from the United States armed forces shall have a preference not to work during the 24 hours comprising Veterans Day without penalty provided that the employee gives advance notice in accordance with the employer’s policies and procedures. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require the employer to pay the veteran for wages on Veterans Day if the veteran chooses not to work in accordance with this subdivision.
II. Any emergency responder such as a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, 911 operator, and medical personnel who is a veteran and has received an honorable discharge from the United States armed forces and whose offices or supervisors require minimal staffing shall have the holiday preference described in paragraph I so long as there is another qualified emergency responder available.