Sec. 616. Reimbursement for State licensure and certification costs of a member of the Armed Forces arising from separation from the Armed Forces
351 words·~2 min read·
/bill/115/hr/2810/eh/section-616A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Section 1143 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: The Secretary concerned may reimburse a member of the armed forces who separates from the armed forces for qualified relicensing costs of the member. Reimbursement provided to a member under this subsection may not exceed $500. In this subsection, the term qualified relicensing costs means costs, including exam and registration fees, that— are imposed by the State in which the member resides after separation from the armed forces to secure a license or certification to engage in a profession; and are paid or incurred by the member to secure the license or certification from the State in which the member resides after separation from the armed forces. .
The Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the Coast Guard, shall consult with States— to identify barriers to the portability between States of a license, certification, or other grant of permission held by a member of the Armed Forces to engage in an occupation when the member separates from the Armed Forces; and to develop recommendations for the Federal Government and the States, together or separately, to expedite the portability of such licenses, certifications, and other grants of permission for separated members of the Armed Forces.
In conducting the consultation and preparing the recommendations under paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall consider the feasibility of— States accepting licenses, certifications, and other grants of permission described in paragraph
(1)issued by another State and in good standing in that State; the issuance of a temporary license pending completion of State-specific requirements; and the establishment of an expedited review process for separated members of the Armed Forces. Not later than March 15, 2018, the Secretaries shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the States a report containing the recommendations developed under this subsection. In this subsection, the term appropriate congressional committees means the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.