Dehalogenates both (S)- and (R)-2-haloalkanoic acids to the corresponding (S)- and (R)-hydroxyalkanoic acids, respectively, with retention of configuration at C-2. (see also EC?3.8.1.2, (S)-2-haloacid dehalogenase, EC?3.8.1.9, (R)-2-haloacid dehalogenase and EC?3.8.1.10, 2-haloacid dehalogenase (configuration-inverting)).