CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 1324

Introduced by Senator Allen

February 21, 2020

An act to add Section 95 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 1324, as introduced, Allen. Professional licenses.
Existing law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a transition assistance program for veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces of the United States designed to assist them in successfully transitioning from military to civilian life in California. Existing law requires the program to include, among other topics, higher education benefits, vocational training assistance, small business resources and information, and housing information. Existing law establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency to, among other things, ensure that certain businesses and professions that have potential impact upon the public health, safety, and welfare are adequately regulated. Existing law establishes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish professional standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and advancement in the education profession. Existing law makes it unlawful for a person to engage in the business of, act in the capacity of, advertise as, or assume to act as a real estate broker or real estate sales person without first obtaining a real estate license from the Department of Real Estate. Under existing law, the State Department of Public Health is responsible for issuing licenses for the operation of health facilities, clinics, and other facilities, as specified.
This bill would require the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Real Estate, and the State Department of Public Health to each place a prominently displayed military licensure icon or hyperlink on the home page of its internet website that is linked to information about each occupational board or program for licensure or certification that it administers along with additional information relating to the professional licensure of veterans, service members, and their spouses, as specified. The bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to have a prominently displayed military licensure icon or hyperlink at an appropriate location on its internet website that links to those websites. The bill would require an annual report to the Legislature based on information collected to satisfy this requirement.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) If spouses of active duty military personnel, veterans, and service members separating from military service are able to maintain careers through frequent moves and key transitions, they are able to help support their families while providing critical services to their communities. Yet, if a military spouse is transferred to California, or a service member leaves the Armed Forces of the United States and returns to or remains in California, these professionals may face difficulty transporting their professional licenses obtained in another state.
(b) The process for transferring licenses for professional careers can be long, burdensome, redundant, and expensive and can prevent some military spouses, veterans, and separating service members from obtaining employment in their field.
(c) Removing barriers to license transfers for spouses of active duty service members, separating service members, and veterans would ease the burden of relocation and transition and provide vital stability to military families and the communities they serve.

SEC. 2.

 Section 95 is added to the Military and Veterans Code, to read:

95.
 (a) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall place a prominently displayed military licensure icon or hyperlink on its internet website, in an appropriate location pertaining to employment opportunities for veterans, service members, and spouses, that links to the internet websites identified in this section.
(b) The Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Real Estate, and the State Department of Public Health shall place a prominently displayed military licensure icon or hyperlink on the home page of their internet websites, linked to information for each occupational board or program for licensure or certification that it administers. In addition to general licensure or certificate information, the following information shall be displayed:
(1) The number of applications for a license submitted by active duty service members, separating service members, veterans, or military spouses per calendar year.
(2) The number of applications for waived renewal fees received from active duty service members and military spouses per calendar year.
(3) Each licensing agency’s process for expediting applications for service members, veterans, and spouses, including the average processing times for expedited applications and the number of expedited applications requested in the calendar year.
(4) The availability of temporary or provisional licensure, specific requirements needed to obtain a temporary or provisional license, and how long the provisional or temporary license is valid.
(c) (1) The Department of Consumer Affairs shall establish a specific gateway aligned with the existing “Board and Bureau Military Contact Information,” “Expedited Licensure,” and “Renewal Fee Waivers” gateways on their Military Member Resources page, including a list of all boards that provide temporary or provisional licensure, with hyperlinks linking to each board’s military licensure data.
(2) The Department of Consumer Affairs’ internet website shall establish a “Licensure by Endorsement” section on its internet website listing all boards that offer an option for licensure by endorsement, accompanied by a hyperlink to each board’s military licensure data.
(d) The Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Real Estate, and the State Department of Public Health shall compile the information collected to satisfy the requirements of this section into an annual report for the Legislature, which shall be submitted in conformance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.