By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jul 2, 2012 10:55:16 EDT
Posted : Monday Jul 2, 2012 10:55:16 EDT
Twelve more states have adopted laws to make it easier for military spouses to have portable careers, more than doubling the number since February, when first lady Michelle Obama began to draw attention to the issue.
That means 23 states now have laws to address problems spouses can face when they try to bring one state’s license or certification to another state when they move with their service member. Those problems affect an estimated 100,000 spouses: teachers, child care workers, nurses, speech pathologists, physical therapists and counselors, to name a few.
“It’s a major headache and even a disincentive to work in a profession that a spouse sometimes trains to work [in] for years,” said Brad Cooper, executive director of Joining Forces.
“We’re just thrilled,” said Karen Golden, government relations deputy director for military family issues for the Military Officers Association of America. “The Joining Forces initiative, DoD state liaison office and all the partners are making great progress in securing legislation to help military spouses. Career portability is an issue for spouses. It can have an impact on retention.”
The Defense Department’s state liaison office has been working on this issue since 2008. By February, 11 states had adopted legislation supporting license portability in different ways. For example, Illinois’ legislation, signed June 26 and taking effect Jan. 1, offers six-month temporary expedited licenses for spouses and veterans who have separated in the past two years when they move to the state. This allows them to work while they fulfill the requirements of a permanent license.
COMPLETE STORY HERE: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2012/07/military-state-ease-job-licensing-rules-for-spouses-070212w/
No comments:
Post a Comment