THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	506
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that veterans who leave the military often experience delays in finding post-service employment.  Transitioning veterans leave the military with documented education, training, and experience that can prepare them for civilian employment; however, this documentation is not always used by state entities when determining qualifications for an occupational license.

     The legislature further finds that the employment of military veterans has been cited as a top priority by the President of the United States and the United States Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs.  The First Lady of the United States has addressed this issue as well, as part of the Joining Forces Initiative, which was established to raise awareness and encourage all sectors of society to recognize the service and sacrifice of military veterans.

     The legislature additionally finds that Act 248, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, was one measure that demonstrated Hawaii's commitment to this nationwide effort.  However, an amendment to Act 248 is needed to clarify the requirements for military veteran licensure in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to assist transitioning military veterans by clarifying that licensing authorities who consider relevant education, training, or service of a military veteran applicant and determine the applicant meets or exceeds the requirements for licensure in Hawaii shall accept the results of the passage of a national or regional exam accepted by statute or rule in a specific licensing area or the equivalent as determined by the licensing authority.

     SECTION 2.  Act 248, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, is amended by amending section 1 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 1.  Chapter 436B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:

     "§436B-    Licensure; acceptance of military education, training, or service.  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, every licensing authority subject to this chapter, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence by an applicant, shall consider relevant education, training, or service completed by an individual as a member of the armed forces or reserves of the United States, the national guard of any state, the military reserves of any state, or the navy militia of any state as part of the evaluation process toward the qualification requirements to receive the license.  Evidence presented for consideration for fulfillment or partial fulfillment of licensing requirements shall demonstrate substantial equivalency to state standards.  If a licensing authority subject to this chapter considers the relevant education, training, or service of an applicant pursuant to this section and determines the applicant meets or exceeds the requirements for licensure in this State, then the licensing authority shall accept the results of the passage of a national or regional exam accepted by statute or rule in the specific licensing area or the equivalent as determined by the licensing authority.  A certificate or evidence satisfactory to the licensing authority of having passed a national or regional exam or the equivalent shall be provided to the licensing authority.""

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

 

 

Report Title:

Professional and Vocational Licensing; Military Education, Training, or Service; Licensure

 

Description:

Clarifies that licensing authorities that consider relevant education, training, or service of a military veteran applicant and determine the applicant meets or exceeds the requirements for licensure in Hawaii shall accept the results of the passage of a national or regional exam accepted by statute or rule in the specific licensing area or the equivalent as determined by the licensing authority.  Requires a certificate or evidence satisfactory to the licensing authority of having passed a national or regional exam or the equivalent to be provided to the licensing authority.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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