(a) If requested by the veteran applicant and in addition to the requirements under § 21-3-302(d), a hiring official or selection authority for a state agency or institution of higher education subject to the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, § 21-5-201 et seq., shall submit in writing to the veteran the reason the veteran was not:
(1) Included on a list of qualified candidates to be interviewed; and
(2) Selected for the position.
(b) The written reason provided under this section shall become a part of the employment application records of the state agency or institution of higher education subject to the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, § 21-5-201 et seq., or a school district as defined under § 6-20-1903, and be retained for the same period of time as all other employment applications as established by law or agency policy.