U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton joined a number of other Senators to introduce the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders.
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah is the bill’s sponsor, and Boozman and Cotton join fellow Republicans John Barrasso of Wyoming, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Steve Daines of Montanta, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Marco Rubio of Florida, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Braun of Indiana, Rand Paul of Kentucky, John Thune of South Dakota, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, John Hoeven of North Dakota, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Jim Risch of Idaho as bill co-sponsors. Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California is also listed as a bill co-sponsor.
“Our servicemembers’ spouses make tremendous sacrifices in support of their loved ones service to our country, and we owe them a great debt. One way to convey our gratitude is to make their lives easier in simple, but meaningful ways. Our legislation seeks to cut red tape so military spouses can more seamlessly continue their careers after relocating to a new duty station,” Boozman says.
“Military families sacrifice so much for our country, yet military spouses face hurdles when seeking employmentespecially after their families move from base to base. This bill will ensure spouses with professional licenses have reciprocity across state lines so they can pursue their careers uninterrupted,” Cotton adds.
Military spouses who work in fields that require professional licenses are forced to spend great amounts of time and money to obtain licensure each time they move to a new state under military orders. Under this legislation, military spouses would qualify for licensure reciprocity if their license is in good standing and the spouse is in compliance with the states standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements. As a state function, protected under the 10th Amendment, the bill does not preempt states rightful authority to set their own licensing standards.
Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican from California, has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
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