§ 249. State and municipal officers and employees granted leaves of absence on July fourth in certain cases. Each officer and employee of the state or of a municipal corporation or of any other political subdivision thereof who was a member of the national guard or naval militia or a member of the reserve corps at a time when the United States was not at war and who (i) has been honorably discharged therefrom, or (ii) has a qualifying condition, as defined in section three hundred fifty of the executive law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or (iii) is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section three hundred fifty of the executive law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, shall, in so far as practicable, be entitled to absent himself from his duties or service, with pay, on July fourth of each year. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law or the provisions of any city charter, no such officer or employee shall be subjected by any person whatever directly or indirectly by reason of such absence to any loss or diminution of vacation or holiday privilege or be prejudiced by reason of such absence with reference to promotion or continuance in office or employment or to reappointment to office or to re-employment.