Bill Text: FL S1884 | 2018 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Military and Veterans Affairs
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 23-13-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-02 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 29 [S1884 Detail]
Download: Florida-2018-S1884-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2018 CS for SB 1884 By the Committee on Appropriations; and Senators Broxson and Passidomo 576-03574-18 20181884c1 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to military and veterans affairs; 3 creating s. 250.483, F.S.; providing requirements 4 relating to licensure or qualification of persons 5 ordered into active duty or state active duty; 6 amending s. 295.21, F.S.; providing that a member of 7 the board of directors for Florida is for Veterans, 8 Inc., is eligible for reappointment under certain 9 circumstances; amending s. 295.22, F.S.; revising 10 provisions relating to receiving training grants from 11 Florida is for Veterans, Inc.; amending s. 446.041, 12 F.S.; providing duties of the Department of Education; 13 amending s. 446.081, F.S.; providing construction; 14 amending s. 455.02, F.S.; requiring the Department of 15 Business and Professional Regulation to waive certain 16 fees; amending s. 456.024, F.S.; revising licensure 17 eligibility requirements; providing an exemption from 18 certain penalties; amending ss. 472.015, 472.016, 19 493.6105, 493.6107, and 493.6113, F.S.; requiring the 20 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to 21 waive certain fees; amending ss. 494.00312 and 22 494.00313, F.S.; requiring the Office of Financial 23 Regulation to waive certain fees; amending s. 497.140, 24 F.S.; providing an exemption from a certain fee; 25 amending s. 497.141, F.S.; providing an exemption from 26 a certain fee; amending ss. 497.281, 497.368, 497.369, 27 497.370, 497.371, 497.373, 497.374, and 497.375, F.S.; 28 providing exemptions from certain fees; creating s. 29 497.393, F.S.; authorizing the licensing authority to 30 recognize certain military-issued credentials for 31 purposes of licensure; amending ss. 497.453, 497.466, 32 and 497.554, F.S.; providing exemptions from certain 33 fees; amending s. 497.602, F.S.; providing an 34 exemption from an application fee; authorizing the 35 licensing authority to recognize certain military 36 issued credentials for purposes of licensure; amending 37 s. 501.015, F.S.; requiring the Department of 38 Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive a 39 registration fee; amending ss. 501.605, 501.607, 40 501.609, and 507.03, F.S.; requiring the Department of 41 Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive certain 42 fees for certain licensees; amending s. 517.12, F.S.; 43 requiring the Office of Financial Regulation to waive 44 certain fees; amending ss. 527.02 and 539.001, F.S.; 45 waiving certain licensing fees; amending ss. 559.904 46 and 559.928, F.S.; requiring the Department of 47 Agriculture and Consumer Services to waive certain 48 registration fees; amending s. 626.171, F.S.; revising 49 fee waiver qualification requirements for certain 50 applicants; amending ss. 626.732, 626.7851, 626.8311, 51 626.8417, and 626.927, F.S.; revising prelicensure 52 course requirements for certain applicants; amending 53 s. 633.414, F.S.; authorizing an extension for 54 firefighter certification renewal for certain persons; 55 amending s. 633.444, F.S.; requiring the Division of 56 State Fire Marshal to waive certain expenses 57 associated with attending the Florida State Fire 58 College; creating s. 683.147, F.S.; designating March 59 25 of each year as “Medal of Honor Day”; amending s. 60 1002.37, F.S.; revising the order of priority given to 61 students seeking enrollment in the Florida Virtual 62 School; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; providing for a 63 character development program that incorporates the 64 values of the Congressional Medal of Honor; amending 65 s. 1012.55, F.S.; requiring the State Board of 66 Education to issue a temporary certificate in 67 educational leadership to certain persons; revising 68 certain exemptions from requirements for teacher 69 certification for certain individuals; amending s. 70 1012.56, F.S.; requiring the State Board of Education 71 to adopt certain rules; amending s. 1012.59, F.S.; 72 requiring the State Board of Education to waive 73 certain fees; providing an effective date. 74 75 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 76 77 Section 1. Section 250.483, Florida Statutes, is created to 78 read: 79 250.483 Active duty; licensure or qualification.— 80 (1) If a member of the Florida National Guard or the United 81 States Armed Forces Reserves seeking licensure or qualification 82 for a trade, occupation, or profession is ordered into state 83 active duty or into active duty as defined in this chapter, and 84 his or her period of training, study, apprenticeship, or 85 practical experience is interrupted or the start thereof is 86 delayed, he or she is entitled to licensure or qualification 87 under the laws covering his or her licensure or qualification at 88 the time of entrance into active duty pursuant to subsection 89 (2). 90 (2) A board of examiners or other qualification board 91 regulated under general law shall accept periods of training and 92 practical experience in the Florida National Guard or the United 93 States Armed Forces Reserves in place of the interrupted or 94 delayed periods of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical 95 experience if the board finds the standard and type of work or 96 training performed in the Florida National Guard or the United 97 States Armed Forces Reserves to be substantially the same as the 98 standard and type required under the laws of this state. 99 (3) A member of the National Guard or the United States 100 Armed Forces Reserves must request licensure or qualification 101 pursuant to this section by the respective board of examiners or 102 other qualification board within 6 months after release from 103 active duty with the Florida National Guard or the United States 104 Armed Forces Reserves. 105 Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section 106 295.21, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 107 295.21 Florida Is For Veterans, Inc.— 108 (4) GOVERNANCE.— 109 (c) Each member of the board of directors shall be 110 appointed for a term of 4 years, except that, to achieve 111 staggered terms, the initial appointees of the Governor shall 112 serve terms of 2 years. A member is eligibleineligiblefor 113 reappointment to the boardexcept that a member appointed to a114term of 2 years or less may be reappointedfor oneanadditional 115 term of 4 years.The initial appointments to the board must be116made by July 15, 2014.Vacancies on the board shall be filled in 117 the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy that 118 occurs before the scheduled expiration of the term of the member 119 shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. 120 Section 3. Paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (3) of 121 section 295.22, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 122 295.22 Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.— 123 (3) ADMINISTRATION.—Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., shall 124 administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program 125 and perform all of the following functions: 126 (d) Create a grant program to provide funding to assist 127 veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of businesses 128 seeking to hire, promote, or generally improve specialized 129 skills of veterans, establish criteria for approval of requests 130 for funding, and maximize the use of funding for this program. 131 Grant funds may be used only in the absence of available 132 veteran-specific federally funded programs. Grants may fund 133 specialized training specific to a particular business. 134 1.Grant funds may be allocated to any training provider135selected by the business, including a career center, a Florida136College System institution, a state university, or an in-house137training provider of the business.If grant funds are used to 138 provide a technical certificate, a licensure, or a degree, funds 139 may be allocated only upon a review that includes, but is not 140 limited to, documentation of accreditation and licensure. 141 Instruction funded through the program terminates when 142 participants demonstrate competence at the level specified in 143 the request but may not exceed 1248months. Preference shall be 144 given to target industry businesses, as defined in s. 288.106, 145 and to businesses in the defense supply, cloud virtualization, 146 or commercial aviation manufacturing industries. 147 2.Costs and expenditures for the grant program must be148documented and separated from those incurred by the training149provider.Costs and expenditures shall be limited to $8,000 per 150 veteran trainee. Qualified businesses must cover the entire cost 151 for all of the training provided before receiving reimbursement 152 from the corporation equal to 50 percent of the cost to train a 153 veteran who is a permanent, full-time employee. Eligible costs 154 and expenditures include: 155 a. Tuition and fees. 156b.Curriculum development.157 b.c.Books and classroom materials. 158 c.d.Rental fees for facilitiesat public colleges and159universities, including virtual training labs. 160e.Overhead or indirect costs not to exceed 5 percent of161the grant amount.162 3. Before funds are allocated for a request pursuant to 163 this section, the corporation shall prepare a grant agreement 164 between the business requesting funds, the educational165institution or training provider receiving funding through the166program,and the corporation. Such agreement must include, but 167 need not be limited to: 168 a. Identification of the personnel necessary to conduct the 169 instructional program, instructional program description, and 170 any vendors used to conduct the instructional programthe171qualifications of such personnel, and the respective172responsibilities of the parties for paying costs associated with173the employment of such personnel. 174b.Identification of the match provided by the business,175including cash and in-kind contributions, equal to at least 50176percent of the total grant amount.177 b.c.Identification of the estimated duration of the 178 instructional program. 179 c.d.Identification of all direct, training-related costs. 180 d.e.Identification of special program requirements that 181 are not otherwise addressed in the agreement. 182 e.f.Permission to access aggregate information specific to 183 the wages and performance of participants upon the completion of 184 instruction for evaluation purposes. The agreement must specify 185 that any evaluation published subsequent to the instruction may 186 not identify the employer or any individual participant. 187 4. A business may receive a grant under the Quick-Response 188 Training Program created under s. 288.047 and a grant under this 189 section for the same veteran trainee. If a business receives 190 funds under both programs, one grant agreement may be entered 191 into with CareerSource Florida, Inc., as the grant 192 administrator. 193 (e) Contract with one or more entities to administer an 194 entrepreneur initiative program for veterans in this state which 195 connects business leaders in the state with veterans seeking to 196 become entrepreneurs. 197 1. The corporation shall award each contract in accordance 198 with the competitive bidding requirements in s. 287.057 to one 199 or more public or private entitiesuniversitiesthat: 200 a. Demonstrate the ability to implement the program and the 201 commitment ofuniversityresources, including financial 202 resources, to such programs. 203 b. Have a demonstrated experience working withmilitary and204 veteran entrepreneursresource center. 205c.Have a regional small business development center in the206Florida Small Business Development Center Network.207 c.d.As determined by the corporation, have beennationally208 recognized for their performance in assisting entrepreneurs to 209 launch successful businesses in the statecommitment to the210military and veterans. 211 2. Each contract must include performance metrics, 212 including a focus on employment and business creation.Each213university must coordinate with any entrepreneurship center214located at the university.The entityuniversitymay also work 215 with a university or collegean entityoffering related programs 216 to refer veterans or to provide services. The entrepreneur 217 initiative program may include activities and assistance such as 218 peer-to-peer learning sessions, mentoring, technical assistance, 219 business roundtables, networking opportunities, support of 220 student organizations, speaker series, or other tools within a 221 virtual environment. 222 Section 4. Subsections (7) through (12) of section 446.041, 223 Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (8) through 224 (13), respectively, and a new subsection (7) is added to that 225 section, to read: 226 446.041 Apprenticeship program, duties of the department. 227 The department shall: 228 (7) Lead and coordinate outreach efforts to educate 229 veterans about apprenticeship and career opportunities. 230 Section 5. Subsection (4) is added to section 446.081, 231 Florida Statutes, to read: 232 446.081 Limitation.— 233 (4) Nothing in ss. 446.011-446.092 or in any rules adopted 234 or contained in any approved apprentice agreement under such 235 sections invalidates any special provision for veterans, 236 minority persons, or women in the standards, qualifications, or 237 operation of the apprenticeship program which is not otherwise 238 prohibited by any applicable general law, rule, or regulation. 239 Section 6. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 455.02, 240 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 241 455.02 Licensure of members of the Armed Forces in good 242 standing and their spouses or surviving spouses with 243 administrative boards or programs.— 244 (1) Any member of the United States Armed Forcesof the245United Statesnow or hereafter on active duty who, at the time 246 of becoming such a member, was in good standing with any of the 247 boards or programs listed in s. 20.165 and was entitled to 248 practice or engage in his or her profession or occupation 249vocationin the state shall be kept in good standing by the 250 applicable board or program, without registering, paying dues or 251 fees, or performing any other act on his or her part to be 252 performed, as long as he or she is a member of the United States 253 Armed Forcesof the United Stateson active duty and for a 254 period of 2 years after discharge from active dutyas a member255of the Armed Forces of the United States, if he or she is not256engaged in his or her licensed profession or vocation in the257private sector for profit. A member, during active duty and for 258 a period of 2 years after discharge from active duty, engaged in 259 his or her licensed profession or occupation in the private 260 sector for profit in this state must complete all license 261 renewal provisions except remitting the license renewal fee, 262 which shall be waived by the department. 263 (2) A spouse of a member of theArmed Services of the264 United States Armed Forces who is married to a member during a 265 period of active duty, or a surviving spouse of a member who at 266 the time of death was serving on active duty, who is in good 267 standing with any of the boards or programs listed in s. 20.165 268 shall be kept in good standing by the applicable board or 269 program as described in subsection (1) and shall be exempt from 270 licensure renewal provisions, but only in cases of his or her 271 absence from the state because of his or her spouse’s duties 272 with the United States Armed Forces. The department or the 273 appropriate board or program shall waive any license renewal fee 274 for such spouse when he or she is present in this state because 275 of such member’s active duty and for a surviving spouse of a 276 member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and 277 died within the 2 years preceding the date of renewal. 278 Section 7. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) and 279 paragraph (j) of subsection (4) of section 456.024, Florida 280 Statutes, are amended, and subsection (5) is added to that 281 section, to read: 282 456.024 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with 283 administrative boards or the department; spouses; licensure.— 284 (3)(a) A person is eligible for licensure as a health care 285 practitioner in this state if he or she: 286 1. Serves or has served as a health care practitioner in 287 the United States Armed Forces, the United States Reserve 288 Forces, or the National Guard; 289 2. Serves or has served on active duty with the United 290 States Armed Forces as a health care practitioner in the United 291 States Public Health Service; or 292 3. Is a health care practitioner, other than a dentist,in 293 another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or 294 territory of the United States and is the spouse of a person 295 serving on active duty with the United States Armed Forces. 296 297 The department shall develop an application form, and each 298 board, or the department if there is no board, shall waive the 299 application fee, licensure fee, and unlicensed activity fee for 300 such applicants. For purposes of this subsection, “health care 301 practitioner” means a health care practitioner as defined in s. 302 456.001 and a person licensed under part III of chapter 401 or 303 part IV of chapter 468. 304 (b) The board, or the department if there is no board, 305 shall issue a license to practice in this state to a person who: 306 1. Submits a complete application. 307 2. If he or she is a member of the United States Armed 308 Forces, the United States Reserve Forces, or the National Guard, 309 submits proof that he or she has received an honorable discharge 310 within 6 months before, or will receive an honorable discharge 311 within 6 months after, the date of submission of the 312 application. 313 3.a. Holds an active, unencumbered license issued by 314 another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or 315 territory of the United States and who has not had disciplinary 316 action taken against him or her in the 5 years preceding the 317 date of submission of the application; 318 b. Is a military health care practitioner in a profession 319 for which licensure in a state or jurisdiction is not required 320 to practice in the United States Armed Forces, if he or she 321 submits to the department evidence of military training or 322 experience substantially equivalent to the requirements for 323 licensure in this state in that profession and evidence that he 324 or she has obtained a passing score on the appropriate 325 examination of a national or regional standards organization if 326 required for licensure in this state; or 327 c. Is the spouse of a person serving on active duty in the 328 United States Armed Forces and is a health care practitioner in 329 a profession, excluding dentistry,for which licensure in 330 another state or jurisdiction is not required, if he or she 331 submits to the department evidence of training or experience 332 substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in 333 this state in that profession and evidence that he or she has 334 obtained a passing score on the appropriate examination of a 335 national or regional standards organization if required for 336 licensure in this state. 337 4. Attests that he or she is not, at the time of submission 338 of the application, the subject of a disciplinary proceeding in 339 a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the 340 United States Department of Defense for reasons related to the 341 practice of the profession for which he or she is applying. 342 5. Actively practiced the profession for which he or she is 343 applying for the 3 years preceding the date of submission of the 344 application. 345 6. Submits a set of fingerprints for a background screening 346 pursuant to s. 456.0135, if required for the profession for 347 which he or she is applying. 348 349 The department shall verify information submitted by the 350 applicant under this subsection using the National Practitioner 351 Data Bank. 352 (4) 353(j)An applicant who is issued a temporary professional354license to practice as a dentist pursuant to this section must355practice under the indirect supervision, as defined in s.356466.003, of a dentist licensed pursuant to chapter 466.357 (5) The spouse of a person serving on active duty with the 358 United States Armed Forces shall have a defense to any citation 359 and related cause of action brought under s. 456.065 if the 360 following conditions are met: 361 (a) The spouse holds an active, unencumbered license issued 362 by another state or jurisdiction to provide health care services 363 for which there is no equivalent license in this state. 364 (b) The spouse is providing health care services within the 365 scope of practice of the out-of-state license. 366 (c) The training or experience required by the out-of-state 367 license is substantially similar to the license requirements to 368 practice a similar health care profession in this state. 369 Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 370 472.015, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 371 472.015 Licensure.— 372 (3) 373 (b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for 374 an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 375 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 376 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 377 on active duty or the spouse of such a member, the surviving 378 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died 379 while serving on active duty, or a business entity that has a 380 majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving 381 spouse if the department receives an application,in a format 382 prescribed by the department. The application format must 383 include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and 384 supporting documentation, within 60 months after the date of the385veteran’s discharge from any branch of the United States Armed386Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,387 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 388 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 389 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 390 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 391 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 392 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 393 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 394 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 395 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 396 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 397 veteran at the time of discharge; or 398 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 399 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 400 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 401 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 402 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 403 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 404 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 405 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 406 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 407 Section 9. Section 472.016, Florida Statutes, is amended to 408 read: 409 472.016 Members of Armed Forces in good standing with the 410 board.— 411 (1) Any member of the United States Armed Forcesof the412United Stateswho is now or in the future on active duty and 413 who, at the time of becoming such a member of the United States 414 Armed Forces, was in good standing with the board and entitled 415 to practice or engage in surveying and mapping in the state 416 shall be kept in good standing by the board, without 417 registering, paying dues or fees, or performing any other act on 418 his or her part to be performed, as long as he or she is a 419 member of the United States Armed Forcesof the United Stateson 420 active duty and for a period of 2 years6 monthsafter discharge 421 from active duty, provided that he or she is not engaged in the422practice of surveying or mapping in the private sector for423profit. A member, during active duty and for a period of 2 years 424 after discharge from active duty, engaged in the practice of 425 surveying or mapping in the private sector for profit in this 426 state must complete all licensure renewal provisions except 427 remitting the license renewal fee, which shall be waived by the 428 department. 429 (2) The board shall adopt rules exempting the spouses of 430 members of the United States Armed Forcesof the United States431 from licensure renewal provisions, but only in cases of absence 432 from the state because of their spouses’ duties with the United 433 States Armed Forces. The department or the appropriate board or 434 program shall waive any license renewal fee for the spouse of a 435 member of the United States Armed Forces when such member is 436 present in this state because of the member’s active duty with 437 the United States Armed Forces, and for the surviving spouse of 438 a member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and 439 died within the 2 years preceding the date of renewal. 440 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 493.6105, Florida 441 Statutes, is amended to read: 442 493.6105 Initial application for license.— 443 (1) Each individual, partner, or principal officer in a 444 corporation, shall file with the department a complete 445 application accompanied by an application fee not to exceed $60, 446 except that antheapplicant for a Class “D” or Class “G” 447 license is not required to submit an application fee. An 448 application fee is not required for an applicant who qualifies 449 for the fee waiver in s. 493.6107(6). The application fee is not 450 refundable. 451 (a) The application submitted by any individual, partner, 452 or corporate officer must be approved by the department before 453 the individual, partner, or corporate officer assumes his or her 454 duties. 455 (b) Individuals who invest in the ownership of a licensed 456 agency but do not participate in, direct, or control the 457 operations of the agency are not required to file an 458 application. 459(c)The initial application fee for a veteran, as defined460in s. 1.01, shall be waived if he or she applies for a Class461“C,” Class “CC,” Class “DI,” Class “E,” Class “EE,” Class “K,”462Class “M,” Class “MA,” Class “MB,” Class “MR,” or Class “RI”463license within 24 months after being discharged from a branch of464the United States Armed Forces. An eligible veteran must include465a copy of his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States466Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of467identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’468Affairs with his or her application in order to obtain a waiver.469 Section 11. Subsection (6) of section 493.6107, Florida 470 Statutes, is amended to read: 471 493.6107 Fees.— 472 (6) The initial applicationlicensefee for a veteran, as 473 defined in s. 1.01, the spouse or surviving spouse of such 474 veteran, a member of the United States Armed Forces who has 475 served on active duty, or the spouse or surviving spouse of such 476 member who at the time of death was serving on active duty and 477 died within the 2 years preceding the initial application, shall 478 be waived if he or she applies for a Class “C,” Class “CC,” 479 Class “DI,” Class “E,” Class “EE,” Class “K,” Class “M,” Class 480 “MA,” Class “MB,” Class “MR,” or Class “RI” license in a format 481 prescribed by the department. The application format must 482 include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and 483 supporting documentationClass “M” or Class “K” license within48424 months after being discharged from any branch of the United485States Armed Forces. An eligible veteran must include a copy of 486 his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States 487 Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of 488 identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ 489 Affairs with his or her application in order to obtain a waiver. 490 A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed 491 by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under 492 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. 493 Section 12. Subsection (7) is added to section 493.6113, 494 Florida Statutes, to read: 495 493.6113 Renewal application for licensure.— 496 (7) The department shall waive the respective fees for a 497 licensee who: 498 (a) Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 499 Forces or the spouse of such member; 500 (b) Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces 501 and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 502 expiration date of the license. A licensee who is a former 503 member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active 504 duty within the 2 years preceding the application must have 505 received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge 506 from the United States Armed Forces; or 507 (c) Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United 508 States Armed Forces who was serving on active duty at the time 509 of death and died within the 2 years preceding the expiration 510 date of the license. 511 512 A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed 513 by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under 514 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. 515 Section 13. Subsection (8) is added to section 494.00312, 516 Florida Statutes, to read: 517 494.00312 Loan originator license.— 518 (8) The office shall waive the fees required by paragraph 519 (2)(e) for an applicant who: 520 (a) Is or was an active duty member of the United States 521 Armed Forces. To qualify for the fee waiver, an applicant who is 522 a former member of the United States Armed Forces must have 523 received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge 524 from the United States Armed Forces; 525 (b) Is married to a current or former member of the United 526 States Armed Forces and is or was married to the member during 527 any period of active duty; or 528 (c) Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United 529 States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at 530 the time of death. 531 532 An applicant seeking such fee waiver must submit proof, in a 533 form prescribed by commission rule, that the applicant meets one 534 of the qualifications in this subsection. 535 Section 14. Subsection (4) is added to section 494.00313, 536 Florida Statutes, to read: 537 494.00313 Loan originator license renewal.— 538 (4) The office shall waive the fees required by paragraph 539 (1)(b) for a loan originator who: 540 (a) Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 541 Forces or the spouse of such member; 542 (b) Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces 543 and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 544 expiration date of the license pursuant to s. 494.00312(7). To 545 qualify for the fee waiver, a loan originator who is a former 546 member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active 547 duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the 548 license must have received an honorable discharge upon 549 separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or 550 (c) Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United 551 States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at 552 the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the 553 surviving spouse’s license expiration date pursuant to s. 554 494.00312(7). 555 556 A loan originator seeking such fee waiver must submit proof, in 557 a form prescribed by commission rule, that the loan originator 558 meets one of the qualifications in this subsection. 559 Section 15. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 560 497.140, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 561 497.140 Fees.— 562 (6)(a)1. The department shall impose, upon initial 563 licensure and each renewal thereof, a special unlicensed 564 activity fee of $5 per licensee, in addition to all other fees 565 provided for in this chapter. Such fee shall be used by the 566 department to fund efforts to identify and combat unlicensed 567 activity which violates this chapter. Such fee shall be in 568 addition to all other fees collected from each licensee and 569 shall be deposited in a separate account of the Regulatory Trust 570 Fund; however, the department is not limited to the funds in 571 such an account for combating improper unlicensed activity in 572 violation of this chapter. 573 2. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 574 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 575 who separated from service within 2 years preceding the 576 application for licensure are exempt from the special unlicensed 577 activity fee associated with initial licensure. To qualify for 578 the fee exemption under this subparagraph, a licensee must 579 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 580 dependent identification card, military service record, military 581 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 582 document that indicates such member is currently in good 583 standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 584 Section 16. Subsection (4) of section 497.141, Florida 585 Statutes, is amended to read: 586 497.141 Licensing; general application procedures.— 587 (4) Before the issuance of any license, the department 588 shall collect such initial fee as specified by this chapter or, 589 where authorized, by rule of the board, unless an applicant is 590 exempted as specified by this chapter. Upon receipt of a 591 completed application and the appropriate fee, and certification 592 by the board that the applicant meets the applicable 593 requirements of law and rules, the department shall issue the 594 license applied for. However, an applicant who is not otherwise 595 qualified for licensure is not entitled to licensure solely 596 based on a passing score on a required examination. 597 Section 17. Subsection (1) of section 497.281, Florida 598 Statutes, is amended to read: 599 497.281 Licensure of brokers of burial rights.— 600 (1)(a) No person shall receive compensation to act as a 601 third party to the sale or transfer of three or more burial 602 rights in a 12-month period unless the person pays a license fee 603 as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed $250 604 and is licensed with the department as a burial rights broker in 605 accordance with this section. 606 (b) A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 607 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 608 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 609 application for licensure are exempt from the initial license 610 fee. To qualify for the initial license fee exemption, an 611 applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, 612 military dependent identification card, military service record, 613 military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or 614 separation document that indicates such member is currently in 615 good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 616 Section 18. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection 617 (3) of section 497.368, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 618 497.368 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by examination; 619 provisional license.— 620 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as an embalmer shall 621 apply to the licensing authority to take the licensure 622 examination. The licensing authority shall examine each 623 applicant who has remitted an examination fee set by rule of the 624 licensing authority not to exceed $200 plus the actual per 625 applicant cost to the licensing authority for portions of the 626 examination and who has: 627 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a 628 nonrefundable application fee set by the licensing authority not 629 to exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 630 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 631 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 632 application for licensure, are exempt from the application fee. 633 To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must 634 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 635 dependent identification card, military service record, military 636 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 637 document that indicates such member is currently in good 638 standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 639 (3) Any applicant who has completed the required 1-year 640 internship and has been approved for examination as an embalmer 641 may qualify for a provisional license to work in a licensed 642 funeral establishment, under the direct supervision of a 643 licensed embalmer for a limited period of 6 months as provided 644 by rule of the licensing authority. The fee for provisional 645 licensure shall be set by rule of the licensing authority, but 646 may not exceed $200, and shall be nonrefundable and in addition 647 to the fee required in subsection (1). This provisional license 648 may be renewed no more than one time. A member of the United 649 States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the 650 United States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 651 2 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the 652 initial provisional licensure fee. To qualify for the initial 653 provisional licensure fee exemption, an applicant must provide a 654 copy of a military identification card, military dependent 655 identification card, military service record, military personnel 656 file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document 657 that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such 658 veteran was honorably discharged. 659 Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection 660 (5) of section 497.369, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 661 497.369 Embalmers; licensure as an embalmer by endorsement; 662 licensure of a temporary embalmer.— 663 (1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by 664 endorsement to practice embalming to an applicant who has 665 remitted an examination fee set by rule of the licensing 666 authority not to exceed $200 and who the licensing authority 667 certifies: 668 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a 669 nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing 670 authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States 671 Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United 672 States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 673 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the 674 application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption, 675 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 676 card, military dependent identification card, military service 677 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 678 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 679 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 680 discharged. 681 (5)(a) There may be adopted by the licensing authority 682 rules authorizing an applicant who has met the requirements of 683 paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is awaiting an opportunity to 684 take the examination required by subsection (4) to be licensed 685 as a temporary licensed embalmer. A temporary licensed embalmer 686 may work as an embalmer in a licensed funeral establishment 687 under the general supervision of a licensed embalmer. Such 688 temporary license shall expire 60 days after the date of the 689 next available examination required under subsection (4); 690 however, the temporary license may be renewed one time under the 691 same conditions as initial issuance. The fee for issuance or 692 renewal of an embalmer temporary license shall be set by rule of 693 the licensing authority but may not exceed $200. The fee 694 required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable and in 695 addition to the fee required in subsection (1). 696 (b) A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 697 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 698 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 699 application for licensure are exempt from the initial issuance 700 fee. To qualify for the initial issuance fee exemption, an 701 applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, 702 military dependent identification card, military service record, 703 military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or 704 separation document that indicates such member is currently in 705 good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 706 Section 20. Subsection (1) of section 497.370, Florida 707 Statutes, is amended to read: 708 497.370 Embalmers; licensure of an embalmer intern.— 709 (1)(a) Any person desiring to become an embalmer intern 710 shall make application to the licensing authority on forms 711 specified by rule, together with a nonrefundable fee determined 712 by rule of the licensing authority but not to exceed $200. 713 (b) A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 714 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 715 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 716 application for licensure are exempt from the application fee. 717 To qualify for the application fee exemption under this 718 paragraph, an applicant must provide a copy of a military 719 identification card, military dependent identification card, 720 military service record, military personnel file, veteran 721 record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates 722 such member is currently in good standing or such veteran was 723 honorably discharged. 724 (c) The application shall indicate the name and address of 725 the licensed embalmer under whose supervision the intern will 726 receive training and the name of the licensed funeral 727 establishment or centralized embalming facility where such 728 training is to be conducted. The embalmer intern shall intern 729 under the direct supervision of a licensed embalmer who has an 730 active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369. 731 Section 21. Section 497.371, Florida Statutes, is amended 732 to read: 733 497.371 Embalmers; establishment of embalmer apprentice 734 program.— 735 (1) The licensing authority adopts rules establishing an 736 embalmer apprentice program. An embalmer apprentice may perform 737 only those tasks, functions, and duties relating to embalming 738 which are performed under the direct supervision of an embalmer 739 who has an active, valid license under s. 497.368 or s. 497.369. 740 An embalmer apprentice is eligible to serve in an apprentice 741 capacity for a period not to exceed 3 years as may be determined 742 by licensing authority rule or for a period not to exceed 5 743 years if the apprentice is enrolled in and attending a course in 744 mortuary science or funeral service education at any mortuary 745 college or funeral service education college or school. An 746 embalmer apprentice shall be issued a license upon payment of a 747 licensure fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not 748 to exceed $200. 749 (2) A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 750 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 751 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 752 application for licensure are exempt from the licensure fee. To 753 qualify for the licensure fee exemption under this subsection, 754 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 755 card, military dependent identification card, military service 756 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 757 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 758 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 759 discharged. 760 (3) An applicant for the embalmer apprentice program may 761 not be issued a license unless the licensing authority 762 determines that the applicant is of good character and has not 763 demonstrated a history of lack of trustworthiness or integrity 764 in business or professional matters. 765 Section 22. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection 766 (3) of section 497.373, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 767 497.373 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director 768 by examination; provisional license.— 769 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a funeral 770 director shall apply to the licensing authority to take the 771 licensure examination. The licensing authority shall examine 772 each applicant who has remitted an examination fee set by rule 773 of the licensing authority not to exceed $200 plus the actual 774 per applicant cost to the licensing authority for portions of 775 the examination and who the licensing authority certifies has: 776 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a 777 nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing 778 authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States 779 Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United 780 States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 781 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the 782 application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption, 783 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 784 card, military dependent identification card, military service 785 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 786 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 787 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 788 discharged. 789 (3) Any applicant who has completed the required 1-year 790 internship and has been approved for examination as a funeral 791 director may qualify for a provisional license to work in a 792 licensed funeral establishment, under the direct supervision of 793 a licensed funeral director for 6 months as provided by rule of 794 the licensing authority. However, a provisional licensee may 795 work under the general supervision of a licensed funeral 796 director upon passage of the laws and rules examination required 797 under paragraph (2)(b). The fee for provisional licensure shall 798 be set by rule of the licensing authority but may not exceed 799 $200. The fee required in this subsection shall be nonrefundable 800 and in addition to the fee required by subsection (1). This 801 provisional license may be renewed no more than one time. A 802 member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, 803 and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated 804 from service within the 2 years preceding application for 805 licensure are exempt from the initial provisional licensure fee. 806 To qualify for the initial provisional licensure fee exemption, 807 a licensee must provide a copy of a military identification 808 card, military dependent identification card, military service 809 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 810 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 811 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 812 discharged. 813 Section 23. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection 814 (5) of section 497.374, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 815 497.374 Funeral directing; licensure as a funeral director 816 by endorsement; licensure of a temporary funeral director.— 817 (1) The licensing authority shall issue a license by 818 endorsement to practice funeral directing to an applicant who 819 has remitted a fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to 820 exceed $200 and who: 821 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a 822 nonrefundable application fee set by rule of the licensing 823 authority not to exceed $200. A member of the United States 824 Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United 825 States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 826 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the 827 nonrefundable application fee. To qualify for the exemption, an 828 applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, 829 military dependent identification card, military service record, 830 military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or 831 separation document that indicates such member is currently in 832 good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 833 (5) There may be adopted rules authorizing an applicant who 834 has met the requirements of paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) and who is 835 awaiting an opportunity to take the examination required by 836 subsection (4) to obtain a license as a temporary funeral 837 director. A licensed temporary funeral director may work as a 838 funeral director in a licensed funeral establishment under the 839 general supervision of a funeral director licensed under 840 subsection (1) or s. 497.373. Such license shall expire 60 days 841 after the date of the next available examination required under 842 subsection (4); however, the temporary license may be renewed 843 one time under the same conditions as initial issuance. The fee 844 for initial issuance or renewal of a temporary license under 845 this subsection shall be set by rule of the licensing authority 846 but may not exceed $200. The fee required in this subsection 847 shall be nonrefundable and in addition to the fee required in 848 subsection (1). A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 849 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 850 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 851 application for licensure are exempt from the initial issuance 852 fee. To qualify for the initial issuance fee exemption, an 853 applicant must provide a copy of a military identification card, 854 military dependent identification card, military service record, 855 military personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or 856 separation document that indicates such member is currently in 857 good standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 858 Section 24. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 859 497.375, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 860 497.375 Funeral directing; licensure of a funeral director 861 intern.— 862 (1)(a) Any person desiring to become a funeral director 863 intern must apply to the licensing authority on forms prescribed 864 by rule of the licensing authority, together with a 865 nonrefundable fee set by rule of the licensing authority not to 866 exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such 867 member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 868 who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 869 application for licensure are exempt from the application fee. 870 To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must 871 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 872 dependent identification card, military service record, military 873 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 874 document that indicates such member is currently in good 875 standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 876 Section 25. Section 497.393, Florida Statutes, is created 877 to read: 878 497.393 Licensure; military-issued credentials for 879 licensure.—The licensing authority shall recognize military 880 issued credentials relating to funeral and cemetery services for 881 purposes of licensure as a funeral director or embalmer. A 882 member of the United States Armed Forces and a veteran of the 883 United States Armed Forces seeking licensure as a funeral 884 director or embalmer under this section shall submit to the 885 licensing authority a certification that the military-issued 886 credential reflects knowledge, training, and experience 887 substantially similar to the requirements of this chapter for 888 licensure as a funeral director or embalmer. The licensing 889 authority shall adopt rules specifying forms and procedures to 890 be used by persons seeking licensure under this section. The 891 licensing authority may conduct an investigation and further 892 inquiry of any person regarding any military-issued credential 893 sought to be recognized. 894 Section 26. Paragraph (n) of subsection (1) of section 895 497.453, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 896 497.453 Application for preneed license, procedures and 897 criteria; renewal; reports.— 898 (1) PRENEED LICENSE APPLICATION PROCEDURES.— 899 (n) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable 900 fee as determined by licensing authority rule but not to exceed 901 $500. A member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s 902 spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who 903 separated from service within the 2 years preceding application 904 for licensure are exempt from the application fee when applying 905 as an individual. To qualify for the application fee exemption, 906 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 907 card, military dependent identification card, military service 908 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 909 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 910 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 911 discharged. 912 Section 27. Paragraph (h) of subsection (2) of section 913 497.466, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 914 497.466 Preneed sales agents, license required; application 915 procedures and criteria; appointment of agents; responsibility 916 of preneed licensee.— 917 (2) PRENEED SALES AGENT LICENSE; APPLICATION PROCEDURES.— 918 (h) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable 919 fee of $150 if made through the department’s online licensing 920 system or $175 if made using paper forms. Payment of either fee 921 shall entitle the applicant to one initial appointment without 922 payment of further fees by the preneed sales agent or the 923 appointing preneed licensee if a preneed sales agent license is 924 issued. The licensing authority may from time to time increase 925 such fees but not to exceed $300. A member of the United States 926 Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United 927 States Armed Forces who separated from service within the 2 928 years preceding application for licensure are exempt from the 929 application fee. To qualify for the application fee exemption, 930 an applicant must provide a copy of a military identification 931 card, military dependent identification card, military service 932 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 933 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 934 currently in good standing or such veteran was honorably 935 discharged. 936 Section 28. Paragraph (e) of subsection (2) of section 937 497.554, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 938 497.554 Monument establishment sales representatives.— 939 (2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.—Licensure as a monument 940 establishment sales agent shall be by submission of an 941 application for licensure to the department on a form prescribed 942 by rule. 943 (e) The monument establishment sales agent application 944 shall be accompanied by a fee of $50. The licensing authority 945 may from time to time increase the application fee by rule but 946 not to exceed $200. A member of the United States Armed Forces, 947 such member’s spouse, and a veteran of the United States Armed 948 Forces who separated from service within the 2 years preceding 949 application for licensure are exempt from the application fee. 950 To qualify for the application fee exemption, an applicant must 951 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 952 dependent identification card, military service record, military 953 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 954 document that indicates such member is currently in good 955 standing or such veteran was honorably discharged. 956 Section 29. Paragraph (i) of subsection (2) and subsection 957 (4) of section 497.602, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 958 497.602 Direct disposers, license required; licensing 959 procedures and criteria; regulation.— 960 (2) APPLICATION PROCEDURES.— 961 (i) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable 962 fee of $300. The licensing authority may from time to time 963 increase the fee by rule but not to exceed more than $500. A 964 member of the United States Armed Forces, such member’s spouse, 965 and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who separated 966 from service within the 2 years preceding application for 967 licensure are exempt from the application fee. To qualify for 968 the application fee exemption, an applicant must provide a copy 969 of a military identification card, military dependent 970 identification card, military service record, military personnel 971 file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation document 972 that indicates such member is currently in good standing or such 973 veteran was honorably discharged. 974 (4) ISSUANCE OF LICENSE.—Upon approval of the application 975 by the licensing authority, the license shall be issued. The 976 licensing authority shall recognize military-issued credentials 977 relating to funeral and cemetery services for purposes of 978 licensure as a direct disposer. A member of the United States 979 Armed Forces and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces 980 seeking licensure as a direct disposer under this section shall 981 submit to the licensing authority a certification that the 982 military-issued credential reflects knowledge, training, and 983 experience substantially similar to the requirements of this 984 chapter for licensure as a direct disposer. The licensing 985 authority shall adopt rules specifying forms and procedures to 986 be used by members and veterans of the United States Armed 987 Forces seeking licensure under this section. The licensing 988 authority may conduct investigation and further inquiry of any 989 person regarding any military-issued credential sought to be 990 recognized. 991 Section 30. Subsection (2) of section 501.015, Florida 992 Statutes, is amended to read: 993 501.015 Health studios; registration requirements and 994 fees.—Each health studio shall: 995 (2) Remit an annual registration fee of $300 to the 996 department at the time of registration for each of the health 997 studio’s business locations. 998 (a) The department shall waive the initial registration fee 999 for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 1000 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 1001 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 1002 on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving 1003 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the 1004 member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity 1005 that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse 1006 or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, 1007 in a format prescribed by the department. The application format 1008 must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of 1009 perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after1010the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the1011United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1012 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1013 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1014 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1015 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1016 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1017 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1018 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1019 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1020 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1021 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1022 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1023 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1024 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1025 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1026 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1027 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1028 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1029 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1030 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1031 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1032 (b) The department shall waive the registration renewal fee 1033 for a registrant who: 1034 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1035 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1036 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1037 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal 1038 date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who is a 1039 former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on 1040 active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of 1041 the registration must have received an honorable discharge upon 1042 separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or 1043 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1044 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1045 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the date of 1046 renewal. 1047 1048 A registrant seeking such waiver must apply in a format 1049 prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s 1050 signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1051 documentation. 1052 Section 31. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section 1053 501.605, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1054 501.605 Licensure of commercial telephone sellers and 1055 entities providing substance abuse marketing services.— 1056 (5) An application filed pursuant to this part must be 1057 verified and accompanied by: 1058 (b) A fee for licensing in the amount of $1,500. The fee 1059 shall be deposited into the General Inspection Trust Fund. The 1060 department shall waive the initial license fee for an honorably 1061 discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse 1062 or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a current member of the 1063 United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty, the 1064 spouse of such a member, the surviving spouse of a member of the 1065 United States Armed Forces if such member died while serving on 1066 active duty, or a business entity that has a majority ownership 1067 held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving spouse if the 1068 department receives an application, in a format prescribed by 1069 the department. The application format must include the 1070 applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1071 documentation, within 60 months after the date of the veteran’s1072discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. To 1073 qualify for the waiver:,1074 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1075 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1076 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1077 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1078 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1079 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1080 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1081 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1082 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1083 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1084 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1085 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1086 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1087 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1088 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1089 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1090 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1091 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1092 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1093 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1094 Section 32. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 1095 501.607, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1096 501.607 Licensure of salespersons.— 1097 (2) An application filed pursuant to this section must be 1098 verified and be accompanied by: 1099 (b) A fee for licensing in the amount of $50 per 1100 salesperson. The fee shall be deposited into the General 1101 Inspection Trust Fund. The fee for licensing may be paid after 1102 the application is filed, but must be paid within 14 days after 1103 the applicant begins work as a salesperson. The department shall 1104 waive the initial license fee for an honorably discharged 1105 veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse or 1106 surviving spouse of such a veteran, a current member of the 1107 United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty, the 1108 spouse of such a member, the surviving spouse of a member of the 1109 United States Armed Forces if the member died while serving on 1110 active duty, or a business entity that has a majority ownership 1111 held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving spouse if the 1112 department receives an application, in a format prescribed by 1113 the department. The application format must include the 1114 applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1115 documentation, within 60 months after the date of the veteran’s1116discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. To 1117 qualify for the waiver:,1118 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1119 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1120 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1121 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1122 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1123 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1124 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1125 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1126 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1127 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1128 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1129 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1130 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1131 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1132 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1133 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1134 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1135 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1136 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1137 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1138 Section 33. Subsection (5) is added to section 501.609, 1139 Florida Statutes, to read: 1140 501.609 License renewal.— 1141 (5) The department shall waive the annual fee to renew for 1142 a licensee who: 1143 (a) Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1144 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1145 (b) Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces, 1146 and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 1147 renewal date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a licensee who is a 1148 former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on 1149 active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of 1150 the registration must have received an honorable discharge upon 1151 separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or 1152 (c) Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United 1153 States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at 1154 the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the 1155 renewal. 1156 1157 A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed 1158 by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under 1159 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. 1160 Section 34. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 1161 507.03, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is added 1162 to that subsection, to read: 1163 507.03 Registration.— 1164 (3) 1165 (b) The department shall waive the initial registration fee 1166 for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 1167 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 1168 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 1169 on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving 1170 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the 1171 member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity 1172 that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse 1173 or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, 1174 in a format prescribed by the department. The application format 1175 must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of 1176 perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after1177the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the1178United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1179 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1180 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1181 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1182 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1183 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1184 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1185 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1186 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1187 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1188 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1189 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1190 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1191 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1192 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1193 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1194 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1195 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1196 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1197 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1198 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1199 (c) The department shall waive the biennial fee to renew 1200 for a registrant who: 1201 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1202 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1203 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1204 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 1205 expiration date. To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who 1206 is a former member of the United States Armed Forces who served 1207 on active duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date 1208 of the registration must have received an honorable discharge 1209 upon separation or discharge from the United States Armed 1210 Forces; or 1211 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1212 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1213 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal. 1214 1215 A registrant seeking such waiver must apply in a format 1216 prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s 1217 signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1218 documentation. 1219 Section 35. Subsections (10) and (11) of section 517.12, 1220 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1221 517.12 Registration of dealers, associated persons, 1222 intermediaries, and investment advisers.— 1223 (10)(a) An applicant for registration shall pay an 1224 assessment fee of $200, in the case of a dealer or investment 1225 adviser, or $50, in the case of an associated person. An 1226 associated person may be assessed an additional fee to cover the 1227 cost for the fingerprints to be processed by the office. Such 1228 fee shall be determined by rule of the commission. Such fees 1229 become the revenue of the state, except for those assessments 1230 provided for under s. 517.131(1) until such time as the 1231 Securities Guaranty Fund satisfies the statutory limits, and are 1232 not returnable in the event that registration is withdrawn or 1233 not granted. 1234 (b) The office shall waive the $50 assessment fee for an 1235 associated person required by paragraph (a) for an applicant 1236 who: 1237 1. Is or was an active duty member of the United States 1238 Armed Forces. To qualify for the fee waiver, an applicant who is 1239 a former member of the United States Armed Forces must have 1240 received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge 1241 from the United States Armed Forces; 1242 2. Is married to a current or former member of the United 1243 States Armed Forces and is or was married to the member during 1244 any period of active duty; or 1245 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1246 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1247 time of death. 1248 1249 An applicant seeking such fee waiver must submit proof, in a 1250 form prescribed by commission rule, that the applicant meets one 1251 of the qualifications in this paragraph. 1252 (11)(a) If the office finds that the applicant is of good 1253 repute and character and has complied with the provisions of 1254 this chapter and the rules made pursuant hereto, it shall 1255 register the applicant. The registration of each dealer, 1256 investment adviser, and associated person expires on December 31 1257 of the year the registration became effective unless the 1258 registrant has renewed his or her registration on or before that 1259 date. Registration may be renewed by furnishing such information 1260 as the commission may require, together with payment of the fee 1261 required in paragraph (10)(a)subsection (10)for dealers, 1262 investment advisers, or associated persons and the payment of 1263 any amount lawfully due and owing to the office pursuant to any 1264 order of the office or pursuant to any agreement with the 1265 office. Any dealer, investment adviser, or associated person who 1266 has not renewed a registration by the time the current 1267 registration expires may request reinstatement of such 1268 registration by filing with the office, on or before January 31 1269 of the year following the year of expiration, such information 1270 as may be required by the commission, together with payment of 1271 the fee required in paragraph (10)(a)subsection (10)for 1272 dealers, investment advisers, or associated persons and a late 1273 fee equal to the amount of such fee. Any reinstatement of 1274 registration granted by the office during the month of January 1275 shall be deemed effective retroactive to January 1 of that year. 1276 (b) The office shall waive the $50 assessment fee for an 1277 associated person required by paragraph (10)(a) for a registrant 1278 renewing his or her registration who: 1279 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1280 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1281 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1282 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 1283 expiration date of the registration pursuant to paragraph (a). 1284 To qualify for the fee waiver, a registrant who is a former 1285 member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active 1286 duty within the 2 years preceding the expiration date of the 1287 registration must have received an honorable discharge upon 1288 separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or 1289 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1290 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1291 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the 1292 surviving spouse’s registration expiration date pursuant to 1293 paragraph (a). 1294 1295 A registrant seeking such fee waiver must submit proof, in a 1296 form prescribed by commission rule, that the registrant meets 1297 one of the qualifications in this paragraph. 1298 Section 36. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 1299 527.02, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is added 1300 to that subsection, to read: 1301 527.02 License; penalty; fees.— 1302 (3) 1303 (b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for 1304 an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 1305 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 1306 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 1307 on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving 1308 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the 1309 member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity 1310 that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse 1311 or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, 1312 in a format prescribed by the department. The application format 1313 must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of 1314 perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after1315the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the1316United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1317 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1318 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1319 Defense or another acceptable form of identification as 1320 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1321 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1322 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1323 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1324 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1325 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1326 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1327 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1328 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1329 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1330 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1331 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1332 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1333 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1334 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1335 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1336 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1337 (c) The department shall waive license renewal fees for a 1338 licensee who: 1339 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1340 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1341 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1342 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal 1343 date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a 1344 licensee who is a former member of the United States Armed 1345 Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding 1346 the annual renewal date must have received an honorable 1347 discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States 1348 Armed Forces; or 1349 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1350 Armed Forces if such member was serving on active duty at the 1351 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the 1352 surviving spouse’s renewal. 1353 1354 A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed 1355 by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under 1356 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. 1357 Section 37. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 1358 539.001, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (g) is 1359 added to that subsection, to read: 1360 539.001 The Florida Pawnbroking Act.— 1361 (3) LICENSE REQUIRED.— 1362 (c) Each license is valid for a period of 1 year unless it 1363 is earlier relinquished, suspended, or revoked. Each license 1364 shall be renewed annually, and each licensee shall, initially 1365 and annually thereafter, pay to the agency a license fee of $300 1366 for each license held. The agency shall waive the initial 1367 license fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the United 1368 States Armed Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a 1369 veteran, a current member of the United States Armed Forces who 1370 has served on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the 1371 surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces 1372 if the member died while serving on active duty, or a business 1373 entity that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or 1374 spouse or surviving spouse if the agency receives an 1375 application, in a format prescribed by the agency. The 1376 application format must include the applicant’s signature, under 1377 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation, within 601378months after the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch1379of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1380 1. A veteran must provide to the agency a copy of his or 1381 her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1382 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1383 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1384 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1385 to the agency a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by 1386 the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable 1387 form of identification as specified by the Department of 1388 Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1389 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1390 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1391 3. A business entity must provide to the agency proof that 1392 a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran holds a 1393 majority ownership in the business, a copy of the veteran’s DD 1394 Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, 1395 or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the 1396 Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if applicable, a copy of a 1397 valid marriage license or certificate verifying that the spouse 1398 or surviving spouse of the veteran was lawfully married to the 1399 veteran at the time of discharge. 1400 (g) The agency shall waive license renewal fee for a 1401 licensee who: 1402 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1403 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1404 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces, 1405 and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the 1406 renewal date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this 1407 subparagraph, a licensee who is a former member of the United 1408 States Armed Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years 1409 preceding the annual renewal date must have received an 1410 honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United 1411 States Armed Forces; or 1412 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1413 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1414 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal. 1415 1416 A licensee seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed 1417 by the agency, including the applicant’s signature, under 1418 penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. 1419 Section 38. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 1420 559.904, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is 1421 added to that subsection, to read: 1422 559.904 Motor vehicle repair shop registration; 1423 application; exemption.— 1424 (3) 1425 (b) The department shall waive the initial registration fee 1426 for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 1427 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 1428 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 1429 on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving 1430 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the 1431 member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity 1432 that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse 1433 or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, 1434 in a format prescribed by the department. The application format 1435 must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of 1436 perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after1437the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the1438United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1439 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1440 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1441 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1442 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1443 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1444 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1445 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1446 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1447 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1448 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1449 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1450 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1451 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1452 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1453 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1454 of Defense or another acceptable form of identification as 1455 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1456 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1457 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1458 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1459 (c) The department shall waive registration renewal fees 1460 for a registrant who: 1461 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1462 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1463 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1464 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal 1465 date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a 1466 registrant who is a former member of the United States Armed 1467 Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding 1468 the biennial renewal date must have received an honorable 1469 discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States 1470 Armed Forces; or 1471 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1472 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1473 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal. 1474 1475 A registrant seeking such waiver must apply in a format 1476 prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s 1477 signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1478 documentation. 1479 Section 39. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 1480 559.928, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) is 1481 added to that subsection, to read: 1482 559.928 Registration.— 1483 (2) 1484 (c) The department shall waive the initial registration fee 1485 for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed 1486 Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a 1487 current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served 1488 on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving 1489 spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the 1490 member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity 1491 that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse 1492 or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, 1493 in a format prescribed by the department. The application format 1494 must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of 1495 perjury, and supporting documentation, within 60 months after1496the date of the veteran’s discharge from any branch of the1497United States Armed Forces. To qualify for the waiver:,1498 1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his 1499 or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of 1500 Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1501 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; 1502 2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide 1503 to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued 1504 by the United States Department of Defense, or another 1505 acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department 1506 of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or 1507 certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the 1508 veteran at the time of discharge; or 1509 3. A business entity must provide to the department proof 1510 that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran 1511 holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the 1512 veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department 1513 of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as 1514 specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if 1515 applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate 1516 verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was 1517 lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge. 1518 (d) The department shall waive the registration renewal fee 1519 for a registrant who: 1520 1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed 1521 Forces or the spouse of such member; 1522 2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and 1523 served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal 1524 date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a 1525 registrant who is a former member of the United States Armed 1526 Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding 1527 the annual registration renewal date must have received an 1528 honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United 1529 States Armed Forces; or 1530 3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States 1531 Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the 1532 time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal. 1533 1534 A registrant seeking such waiver must apply in a format 1535 prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s 1536 signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting 1537 documentation. 1538 Section 40. Subsection (6) of section 626.171, Florida 1539 Statutes, is amended to read: 1540 626.171 Application for license as an agent, customer 1541 representative, adjuster, service representative, managing 1542 general agent, or reinsurance intermediary.— 1543 (6) Members of the United States Armed Forces and their 1544 spouses, and veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have 1545 separated from serviceretiredwithin 24 months before 1546 application for licensure, are exempt from the application 1547 filing fee prescribed in s. 624.501. Qualified individuals must 1548 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 1549 dependent identification card, military service record, military 1550 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation1551document,oraseparation document that indicates such members 1552of the United States Armed Forcesare currently in good standing 1553 or such veterans were honorably discharged. 1554 Section 41. Subsection (6) of section 626.732, Florida 1555 Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (7), and a new subsection 1556 (6) is added to that section, to read: 1557 626.732 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or 1558 instruction.— 1559 (6) Prelicensure coursework is not required for an 1560 applicant who is a member or veteran of the United States Armed 1561 Forces or the spouse of such a member or veteran. A qualified 1562 individual must provide a copy of a military identification 1563 card, military dependent identification card, military service 1564 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 1565 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 1566 currently in good standing or such veteran is honorably 1567 discharged. 1568 Section 42. Section 626.7851, Florida Statutes, is amended 1569 to read: 1570 626.7851 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or 1571 instruction.—An applicant for a license as a life agent, except 1572 for a chartered life underwriter (CLU), shall not be qualified 1573 or licensed unless within the 4 years immediately preceding the 1574 date the application for a license is filed with the department 1575 he or she has: 1576 (1) Successfully completed 40 hours of coursework in life 1577 insurance, annuities, and variable contracts approved by the 1578 department, 3 hours of which shall be on the subject matter of 1579 ethics. Courses must include instruction on the subject matter 1580 of unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance; 1581 (2) Successfully completed a minimum of 60 hours of 1582 coursework in multiple areas of insurance, which included life 1583 insurance, annuities, and variable contracts, approved by the 1584 department, 3 hours of which shall be on the subject matter of 1585 ethics. Courses must include instruction on the subject matter 1586 of unauthorized entities engaging in the business of insurance; 1587 (3) Earned or maintained an active designation as Chartered 1588 Financial Consultant (ChFC) from the American College of 1589 Financial Services; or Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) 1590 from the Life Management Institute; 1591 (4) Held an active license in life insurance in another 1592 state. This provision may not be used unless the other state 1593 grants reciprocal treatment to licensees formerly licensed in 1594 the state; or 1595 (5) Been employed by the department or office for at least 1596 1 year, full time in life insurance regulatory matters and who 1597 was not terminated for cause, and application for examination is 1598 made within 4 years after the date of termination of his or her 1599 employment with the department or office. 1600 1601 Prelicensure coursework is not required for an applicant who is 1602 a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces or the 1603 spouse of such a member or veteran. A qualified individual must 1604 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 1605 dependent identification card, military service record, military 1606 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 1607 document that indicates such member is currently in good 1608 standing or such veteran is honorably discharged. 1609 Section 43. Section 626.8311, Florida Statutes, is amended 1610 to read: 1611 626.8311 Requirement as to knowledge, experience, or 1612 instruction.—An applicant for a license as a health agent, 1613 except for a chartered life underwriter (CLU), shall not be 1614 qualified or licensed unless within the 4 years immediately 1615 preceding the date the application for license is filed with the 1616 department he or she has: 1617 (1) Successfully completed 40 hours of coursework in health 1618 insurance, approved by the department, 3 hours of which shall be 1619 on the subject matter of ethics. Courses must include 1620 instruction on the subject matter of unauthorized entities 1621 engaging in the business of insurance, to include the Florida 1622 Nonprofit Multiple-Employer Welfare Arrangement Act and the 1623 Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. ss. 1001 et 1624 seq., as it relates to the provision of health insurance by 1625 employers to their employees and the regulation thereof; 1626 (2) Successfully completed a minimum of 60 hours of 1627 coursework in multiple areas of insurance, which included health 1628 insurance, approved by the department, 3 hours of which shall be 1629 on the subject matter of ethics. Courses must include 1630 instruction on the subject matter of unauthorized entities 1631 engaging in the business of insurance; 1632 (3) Earned or maintained an active designation as a 1633 Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Chartered Healthcare 1634 Consultant (ChHC), or Registered Employee Benefits Consultant 1635 (REBC) from the American College of Financial Services; 1636 Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) from the Wharton 1637 School of the University of Pennsylvania; or Health Insurance 1638 Associate (HIA) from America’s Health Insurance Plans; 1639 (4) Held an active license in health insurance in another 1640 state. This provision may not be utilized unless the other state 1641 grants reciprocal treatment to licensees formerly licensed in 1642 Florida; or 1643 (5) Been employed by the department or office for at least 1644 1 year, full time in health insurance regulatory matters and who 1645 was not terminated for cause, and application for examination is 1646 made within 4 years after the date of termination of his or her 1647 employment with the department or office. 1648 1649 Prelicensure coursework is not required for an applicant who is 1650 a member or veteran of the United States Armed Forces or the 1651 spouse of such a member or veteran. A qualified individual must 1652 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 1653 dependent identification card, military service record, military 1654 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 1655 document that indicates such member is currently in good 1656 standing or such veteran is honorably discharged. 1657 Section 44. Subsection (7) is added to section 626.8417, 1658 Florida Statutes, to read: 1659 626.8417 Title insurance agent licensure; exemptions.— 1660 (7) Prelicensure coursework is not required for an 1661 applicant who is a member or veteran of the United States Armed 1662 Forces or the spouse of such a member or veteran. A qualified 1663 individual must provide a copy of a military identification 1664 card, military dependent identification card, military service 1665 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 1666 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 1667 currently in good standing or such veteran is honorably 1668 discharged. 1669 Section 45. Subsection (7) is added to section 626.927, 1670 Florida Statutes, to read: 1671 626.927 Licensing of surplus lines agent.— 1672 (7) Prelicensure coursework is not required for an 1673 applicant who is a member or veteran of the United States Armed 1674 Forces or the spouse of such a member or veteran. A qualified 1675 individual must provide a copy of a military identification 1676 card, military dependent identification card, military service 1677 record, military personnel file, veteran record, discharge 1678 paper, or separation document that indicates such member is 1679 currently in good standing or such veteran is honorably 1680 discharged. 1681 Section 46. Section 633.414, Florida Statutes, is amended 1682 to read: 1683 633.414 Retention of firefighter and volunteer firefighter 1684 certifications.— 1685 (1) In order for a firefighter to retain her or his 1686 Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, every 4 years he or she 1687 must meet the requirements for renewal provided in this chapter 1688 and by rule, which must include at least one of the following: 1689 (a) Be active as a firefighter. 1690 (b) Maintain a current and valid fire service instructor 1691 certificate, instruct at least 40 hours during the 4-year 1692 period, and provide proof of such instruction to the division, 1693 which proof must be registered in an electronic database 1694 designated by the division. 1695 (c) Within 6 months before the 4-year period expires, 1696 successfully complete a Firefighter Retention Refresher Course 1697 consisting of a minimum of 40 hours of training to be prescribed 1698 by rule. 1699 (d) Within 6 months before the 4-year period expires, 1700 successfully retake and pass the Minimum Standards Course 1701 examination pursuant to s. 633.408. 1702 (2) In order for a volunteer firefighter to retain her or 1703 his Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion, every 4 1704 years he or she must: 1705 (a) Be active as a volunteer firefighter; or 1706 (b) Successfully complete a refresher course consisting of 1707 a minimum of 40 hours of training to be prescribed by rule. 1708 (3) Subsection (1) does not apply to state-certified 1709 firefighters who are certified and employed full-time, as 1710 determined by the fire service provider, as firesafety 1711 inspectors or fire investigators, regardless of their employment 1712 status as firefighters or volunteer firefighters. 1713 (4) For the purposes of this section, the term “active” 1714 means being employed as a firefighter or providing service as a 1715 volunteer firefighter for a cumulative period of 6 months within 1716 a 4-year period. 1717 (5) The 4-year period begins upon issuance of the 1718 certificate or separation from employment. 1719 (6) A certificate for a firefighter or volunteer 1720 firefighter expires if he or she fails to meet the requirements 1721 of this section. 1722 (7) The State Fire Marshal may deny, refuse to renew, 1723 suspend, or revoke the certificate of a firefighter or volunteer 1724 firefighter if the State Fire Marshal finds that any of the 1725 following grounds exists: 1726 (a) Any cause for which issuance of a certificate could 1727 have been denied if it had then existed and had been known to 1728 the division. 1729 (b) A violation of any provision of this chapter or any 1730 rule or order of the State Fire Marshal. 1731 (c) Falsification of a record relating to any certificate 1732 issued by the division. 1733 (8) The 4-year period may, in the discretion of the 1734 department, be extended to 12 months after discharge from 1735 military service for an honorably discharged veteran of the 1736 United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such a veteran. A 1737 qualified individual must provide a copy of a military 1738 identification card, military dependent identification card, 1739 military service record, military personnel file, veteran 1740 record, discharge paper, or separation document that indicates 1741 such member is currently in good standing or such veteran is 1742 honorably discharged. 1743 Section 47. Subsection (3) is added to section 633.444, 1744 Florida Statutes, to read: 1745 633.444 Division powers and duties; Florida State Fire 1746 College.— 1747 (3) The division shall waive all living and incidental 1748 expenses, excluding expenses for meal plans and bunker gear 1749 rentals, associated with attending the Florida State Fire 1750 College to obtain a Certificate of Compliance or a Firesafety 1751 Inspector I certification for an active duty member of the 1752 United States Armed Forces, the surviving spouse of such a 1753 member who was serving on active duty at the time of his or her 1754 death and who died within the 2 years preceding his or her 1755 spouse’s attendance at the college, an honorably discharged 1756 veteran of the United States Armed Forces, or the spouse or 1757 surviving spouse of such a veteran. A qualified individual must 1758 provide a copy of a military identification card, military 1759 dependent identification card, military service record, military 1760 personnel file, veteran record, discharge paper, or separation 1761 document that indicates such member is currently in good 1762 standing or such veteran is honorably discharged. 1763 Section 48. Section 683.147, Florida Statutes, is created 1764 to read: 1765 683.147 Medal of Honor Day.— 1766 (1) March 25 of each year is designated as “Medal of Honor 1767 Day.” 1768 (2) The Governor may annually issue a proclamation 1769 designating March 25 as Medal of Honor Day and calling upon 1770 public officials, schools, private organizations, and all 1771 residents of the state to commemorate Medal of Honor Day and 1772 honor recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor who 1773 distinguished themselves through their conspicuous bravery and 1774 gallantry during wartime, and at considerable risk to their own 1775 lives, while serving as members of the United States Armed 1776 Forces. 1777 Section 49. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 1778 1002.37, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1779 1002.37 The Florida Virtual School.— 1780 (1) 1781 (b) The mission of the Florida Virtual School is to provide 1782 students with technology-based educational opportunities to gain 1783 the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed. The school shall 1784 serve any student in the state who meets the profile for success 1785 in this educational delivery context and shall give priority to: 1786 1. Students who need expanded access to courses in order to 1787 meet their educational goals, such as home education students 1788 and students in inner-city and rural high schools who do not 1789 have access to higher-level courses. 1790 2. Students seeking accelerated access in order to obtain a 1791 high school diploma at least one semester early. 1792 3. Students who are children of an active duty member of 1793 the United States Armed Forces who is not stationed in this 1794 state whose home of record or state of legal residence is 1795 Florida. 1796 1797 The board of trustees of the Florida Virtual School shall 1798 identify appropriate performance measures and standards based on 1799 student achievement that reflect the school’s statutory mission 1800 and priorities, and shall implement an accountability system for 1801 the school that includes assessment of its effectiveness and 1802 efficiency in providing quality services that encourage high 1803 student achievement, seamless articulation, and maximum access. 1804 Section 50. Subsection (2) of section 1003.42, Florida 1805 Statutes, is amended to read: 1806 1003.42 Required instruction.— 1807 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public 1808 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education 1809 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and 1810 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the 1811 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy, 1812 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing 1813 approved methods of instruction, the following: 1814 (a) The history and content of the Declaration of 1815 Independence, including national sovereignty, natural law, self 1816 evident truth, equality of all persons, limited government, 1817 popular sovereignty, and inalienable rights of life, liberty, 1818 and property, and how they form the philosophical foundation of 1819 our government. 1820 (b) The history, meaning, significance, and effect of the 1821 provisions of the Constitution of the United States and 1822 amendments thereto, with emphasis on each of the 10 amendments 1823 that make up the Bill of Rights and how the constitution 1824 provides the structure of our government. 1825 (c) The arguments in support of adopting our republican 1826 form of government, as they are embodied in the most important 1827 of the Federalist Papers. 1828 (d) Flag education, including proper flag display and flag 1829 salute. 1830 (e) The elements of civil government, including the primary 1831 functions of and interrelationships between the Federal 1832 Government, the state, and its counties, municipalities, school 1833 districts, and special districts. 1834 (f) The history of the United States, including the period 1835 of discovery, early colonies, the War for Independence, the 1836 Civil War, the expansion of the United States to its present 1837 boundaries, the world wars, and the civil rights movement to the 1838 present. American history shall be viewed as factual, not as 1839 constructed, shall be viewed as knowable, teachable, and 1840 testable, and shall be defined as the creation of a new nation 1841 based largely on the universal principles stated in the 1842 Declaration of Independence. 1843 (g) The history of the Holocaust (1933-1945), the 1844 systematic, planned annihilation of European Jews and other 1845 groups by Nazi Germany, a watershed event in the history of 1846 humanity, to be taught in a manner that leads to an 1847 investigation of human behavior, an understanding of the 1848 ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping, and an 1849 examination of what it means to be a responsible and respectful 1850 person, for the purposes of encouraging tolerance of diversity 1851 in a pluralistic society and for nurturing and protecting 1852 democratic values and institutions. 1853 (h) The history of African Americans, including the history 1854 of African peoples before the political conflicts that led to 1855 the development of slavery, the passage to America, the 1856 enslavement experience, abolition, and the contributions of 1857 African Americans to society. Instructional materials shall 1858 include the contributions of African Americans to American 1859 society. 1860 (i) The elementary principles of agriculture. 1861 (j) The true effects of all alcoholic and intoxicating 1862 liquors and beverages and narcotics upon the human body and 1863 mind. 1864 (k) Kindness to animals. 1865 (l) The history of the state. 1866 (m) The conservation of natural resources. 1867 (n) Comprehensive health education that addresses concepts 1868 of community health; consumer health; environmental health; 1869 family life, including an awareness of the benefits of sexual 1870 abstinence as the expected standard and the consequences of 1871 teenage pregnancy; mental and emotional health; injury 1872 prevention and safety; Internet safety; nutrition; personal 1873 health; prevention and control of disease; and substance use and 1874 abuse. The health education curriculum for students in grades 7 1875 through 12 shall include a teen dating violence and abuse 1876 component that includes, but is not limited to, the definition 1877 of dating violence and abuse, the warning signs of dating 1878 violence and abusive behavior, the characteristics of healthy 1879 relationships, measures to prevent and stop dating violence and 1880 abuse, and community resources available to victims of dating 1881 violence and abuse. 1882 (o) Such additional materials, subjects, courses, or fields 1883 in such grades as are prescribed by law or by rules of the State 1884 Board of Education and the district school board in fulfilling 1885 the requirements of law. 1886 (p) The study of Hispanic contributions to the United 1887 States. 1888 (q) The study of women’s contributions to the United 1889 States. 1890 (r) The nature and importance of free enterprise to the 1891 United States economy. 1892 (s) A character-development program in the elementary 1893 schools, similar to Character First or Character Counts, which 1894 is secular in nature. Beginning in school year 2004-2005, the 1895 character-development program shall be required in kindergarten 1896 through grade 12. Each district school board shall develop or 1897 adopt a curriculum for the character-development program that 1898 shall be submitted to the department for approval. The 1899 character-development curriculum shall stress the qualities of 1900 patriotism; responsibility; citizenship; kindness; respect for 1901 authority, life, liberty, and personal property; honesty; 1902 charity; self-control; racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance; 1903 and cooperation. The character-development curriculum for grades 1904 9 through 12 shall, at a minimum, include instruction on 1905 developing leadership skills, interpersonal skills, organization 1906 skills, and research skills; creating a resume; developing and 1907 practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews; 1908 conflict resolution, workplace ethics, and workplace law; 1909 managing stress and expectations; and developing skills that 1910 enable students to become more resilient and self-motivated. 1911 (t) In order to encourage patriotism, the sacrifices that 1912 veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in serving our 1913 country and protecting democratic values worldwide. Such 1914 instruction must occur on or before Medal of Honor Day, 1915 Veterans’ Day, and Memorial Day. Members of the instructional 1916 staff are encouraged to use the assistance of local veterans and 1917 Medal of Honor recipients when practicable. 1918 1919 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards 1920 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection. A 1921 character development program that incorporates the values of 1922 the recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is 1923 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or 1924 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness 1925 initiative meets the requirements of paragraphs (s) and (t). 1926 Section 51. Subsection (4) of section 1012.55, Florida 1927 Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (e) is added to subsection 1928 (1) of that section, to read: 1929 1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.— 1930 (1) 1931 (e)1. The department shall issue a 3-year temporary 1932 certificate in educational leadership under s. 1012.56(7) to an 1933 individual who: 1934 a. Earned a passing score on the Florida Educational 1935 Leadership Examination. 1936 b. Served as a commissioned or noncommissioned military 1937 officer in the United States Armed Forces for at least 3 years. 1938 c. Was honorably discharged or has retired from the United 1939 States Armed Forces. 1940 d. Is employed full time in a position for which an 1941 educator certificate is required in a Florida public school, 1942 state-supported school, or nonpublic school that has a Level II 1943 program under s. 1012.562. 1944 2. A Level II program under s. 1012.562 must accept an 1945 applicant who holds a temporary certificate under subparagraph 1946 1. The department shall issue a permanent certification as a 1947 school principal to an individual who holds a temporary 1948 certificate under subparagraph 1. and successfully completes the 1949 Level II program. 1950 (4) A commissioned or noncommissioned military officer who 1951 is an instructor of junior reserve officer training shall be 1952 exempt from requirements for teacher certification, except for 1953 the background screening pursuant to s. 1012.32, if he or she 1954 meets the following qualifications: 1955 (a) Is retired from active military duty, pursuant to 1956 chapter 102 of Title 10 U.S.C. 1957 (b) Satisfies criteria established by the appropriate 1958 military service for certification by the service as a junior 1959 reserve officer training instructor. 1960 (c) Has an exemplary military record. 1961 1962 If such instructor is assigned instructional duties other than 1963 junior reserve officer training, he or she shall hold the 1964 certificate required by law and rules of the state board for the 1965 type of service rendered. An instructor of junior reserve 1966 officer training under this subsection may receive funding 1967 through the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program 1968 under s. 1012.71. 1969 Section 52. Subsection (7) of section 1012.56, Florida 1970 Statutes, is amended to read: 1971 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.— 1972 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.— 1973 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional 1974 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant 1975 who fulfills one of the following: 1976 1. Meets all the requirements outlined in subsection (2). 1977 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through 1978 12: 1979 a. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h). 1980 b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of 1981 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 1982 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the 1983 advanced degree. 1984 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s 1985 performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on 1986 student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized 1987 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International 1988 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate 1989 examination. 1990 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional 1991 education competency examination required by state board rule. 1992 3. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h) and 1993 completes a professional preparation and education competence 1994 program approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(c). 1995 An applicant who completes the program and is rated highly 1996 effective as determined by his or her performance evaluation 1997 under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a passing 1998 score on the professional education competency examination in 1999 order to be awarded a professional certificate. 2000 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 2001 any applicant who completes the requirements outlined in 2002 paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content 2003 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates 2004 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and 2005 holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the 2006 Department of Education at the level required for the subject 2007 area specialization in state board rule. 2008 (c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year 2009 temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional 2010 certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s 2011 degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for 2012 completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language 2013 impairment. 2014 2015 Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years 2016 and is nonrenewable. However, the requirement in paragraph 2017 (2)(g) must be met within 1 calendar year of the date of 2018 employment under the temporary certificate. Individuals who are 2019 employed under contract at the end of the 1 calendar year time 2020 period may continue to be employed through the end of the school 2021 year in which they have been contracted. A school district shall 2022 not employ, or continue the employment of, an individual in a 2023 position for which a temporary certificate is required beyond 2024 this time period if the individual has not met the requirement 2025 of paragraph (2)(g). At least 1 year before an individual’s 2026 temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall 2027 electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or 2028 her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by 2029 which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be 2030 completed. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to 2031 allow the department to extend the validity period of a 2032 temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the 2033 professional certificate, not including the requirement in 2034 paragraph (2)(g), were not completed due to the serious illness 2035 or injury of the applicant, the military service of an 2036 applicant’s spouse, or other extraordinary extenuating 2037 circumstances. The rules must authorize the department to extend 2038 the validity period of a temporary certificateorfor 1 year if 2039 thetemporarycertificateholder is rated effective or highly 2040 effective based solely on a student learning growth formula 2041 approved by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to s. 2042 1012.34(8). The department shall reissue the temporary 2043 certificate for 2 additional years upon approval by the 2044 Commissioner of Education. A written request for reissuance of 2045 the certificate shall be submitted by the district school 2046 superintendent, the governing authority of a university lab 2047 school, the governing authority of a state-supported school, or 2048 the governing authority of a private school. 2049 Section 53. Subsection (3) is added to section 1012.59, 2050 Florida Statutes, to read: 2051 1012.59 Certification fees.— 2052 (3) The State Board of Education shall waive initial 2053 general knowledge, professional education, and subject area 2054 examination fees and certification fees for: 2055 (a) A member of the United States Armed Forces or a reserve 2056 component thereof who is serving or has served on active duty or 2057 the spouse of such a member. 2058 (b) The surviving spouse of a member of the United States 2059 Armed Forces or a reserve component thereof who was serving on 2060 active duty at the time of death. 2061 (c) An honorably discharged veteran of the United States 2062 Armed Forces or a veteran of a reserve component thereof who 2063 served on active duty and the spouse or surviving spouse of such 2064 a veteran. 2065 Section 54. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.