Bill Text: HI HB2257 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Licensing; Licensure by Endorsement; Licensure by Reciprocity; Nonresident Military Spouses

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-07-10 - (S) Act 247, 7/6/2012 (Gov. Msg. No. 1350). [HB2257 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB2257-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3171

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2257

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2257, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow licensing boards to:

 

     (1)  Allow nonresident military spouse applicants to demonstrate competency in lieu of work experience requirements; and

 

     (2)  Establish procedures to expedite the issuance of licenses, certifications, or permits to nonresident military spouses under certain conditions.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Military Officers Association of America, Hawaii Chapter.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and United States Department of Defense State Liaison Office.

 

     Your Committee finds that military families are a unique population who move across state lines and move more frequently than their civilian counterparts.  As a result of frequent moves, military spouses who obtain professional degrees or licenses may not remain in one state long enough to progress in their occupations.  A lengthy license evaluation process with reviewing and processing delays may leave a military spouse little time to search for employment, placing them at an unfair disadvantage.  These delays in employment can cause significant hardship on military families because of a loss of needed income, and may also deprive the State from receiving valuable services and expertise during the military spouse's temporary domicile.

 

     Your Committee further finds that military spouse employment is an important retention and readiness issue, with a majority of married service members reporting that their spouses' ability to maintain a career impacts their decision to remain in the military.  The United States Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs strongly support national efforts to facilitate employment of military spouses.  The First Lady of the United States has addressed this issue as well, urging all states to pass legislation that will remove employment barriers, provide gainful employment opportunities, and support the unique needs of military families.  Your Committee concludes that Hawaii should be a part of this nationwide effort to assist service members and their spouses.

 

     Your Committee notes that the companion to this measure, S.B. No. 2395, S.D. 1, which was previously passed by the Senate, contains language that permits licensure by endorsement or licensure by reciprocity in certain situations for a nonresident military spouse.  S.B. No. 2395, S.D. 1, establishes conditions under which a nonresident military spouse may receive a license by endorsement or license by reciprocity; permits issuance of a temporary license if certain requirements are met; and requires the professional and vocational licensing authority to expedite consideration of the application and issuance of a license by endorsement, license by reciprocity, or temporary license to a qualified nonresident military spouse.

 

     Your Committee additionally finds that the language in S.B. No. 2395, S.D. 1, is preferable because it addresses the issue of spousal licensure in a manner that would best assist many military spouses moving to Hawaii.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Replacing its contents with the contents of S.B. No. 2395, S.D. 1; and

 

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2012.

 

     Your Committee understands that every licensing authority in the State has its own statutes and rules, with specific requirements for licensure.  Your Committee notes that this amended measure is not intended to require state licensing authorities to accept licensure by endorsement or licensure by reciprocity if a nonresident military spouse is not qualified.  Rather, this amended measure is intended to support military families by recognizing nonresident military spouses who are already licensed in another state under licensure requirements that are equivalent to or exceed the requirements mandated by the State for obtaining certain licenses.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2257, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2257, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

		____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair