Connecticut House Bill HB05398

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20
• Report Pass: 3/10/20

Caption

An Act Concerning Licensed Occupations Of Military Spouses.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will allow military spouses to engage in their licensed occupations without having to go through the often lengthy and costly process of re-licensing in Connecticut. The bill stipulates that military spouses can present proof of their out-of-state licenses and identify cards, which would be recognized for the duration of the military member's assignment in Connecticut or for three years, whichever is shorter. This recognition hinges on the requirement that the out-of-state licensing standards are similar to those in Connecticut, thus maintaining a level of professional standards while increasing job accessibility.

Summary

House Bill 05398 aims to facilitate the employment of military spouses by permitting the state of Connecticut to recognize their current occupational licenses obtained from other states. This bill addresses the unique challenges faced by military families, particularly those who frequently relocate due to the military service of one spouse, thereby often finding themselves unable to work in their licensed professions upon moving to a new state due to varying state regulations.

Contention

While the bill received unanimous support in votes, discussions around potential concerns might include ensuring that the standards for recognizing out-of-state licenses remain robust enough to protect public safety and occupational integrity. The balance between facilitating job mobility for military spouses and upholding state regulatory standards is a notable point of contention. Nevertheless, supporters argue that this is a necessary step forward to ease the burdens on military families and help them establish a stable life during uncertain times.