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Law Aims to Speed up Job Certification of Military Spouses

By Nagasunder in Employment News, posted August 5, 2021

Connecticut is trying to make easier jobs for military spouses and others who relocate from another state to obtain state occupation permits.

Even before the pandemic, military spouses faced double-digit unemployment. Connecticut is trying to make it easier for them and others to migrate to obtain state occupation permits for jobs ranging from nurses to architect jobs.

On Monday, at the bill signing ceremony held at the Groton Submarine Force Museum, state and military officials stated that Connecticut’s recognition of long delays in out-of-state licenses or certification would cause difficulties for spouses 90% of women.

“This was a huge problem for military spouses, who, while they were waiting for months, even years to get their certification, to get their licensure in this state, they were much more likely to be unemployed or employed in lower-paying jobs,” said Democratic Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who chairs the Governor's Council on Women and Girls, which pushed for the legislation this year.

The U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force secretaries recently issued a memo highlighting a growing national problem related to military spouses: They often face employment barriers when moving to different bases. Military advocates say that while Connecticut currently has legislation to accommodate military spouses, the process of recognizing their out-of-state license is too long, given their relatively short stay in the state.

“That's why it's such a win for our military families to make this happen finally,” said Bysiewicz, adding how toughly 35% of military spouses in the U.S. work in licensed professions and are 10 times more likely to have moved across state lines their civilian counterparts.

According to the new law that will take effect on October 1, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Consumer Protection will issue appropriate licenses or certificates to the spouses of residents of the state or active military personnel stationed in Connecticut, provided that they are safe and secure. Practice. Obtain a license from another state for at least four years. They must also meet certain exam requirements and complete the necessary background checks. If the agency determines that this is in the country's best interest, they will have the right to refuse the application.

The new law also requires the Department of Public Health to convene a task force to review whether Connecticut should join an interstate licensing agreement to facilitate this process. According to Governor Ned Lamont's office, Connecticut is one of eight states that have not joined any interstate licensing agreements. The group recommendation will expire on January 15, 2022.

Approximately 9,000 naval personnel were assigned to the Groton submarine base. About 60% to 70% have a spouse. Bob Ross, executive director of the State Office of Military Affairs, said this figure does not include military spouses related to the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve Department.

“Military families usually expect a transfer about every two or three years. Sometimes it works out, and they can actually stay in the same location, a different job at the same location. But more often than not, they have to move to a different location and then they have to make those family choices about spousal employment and education and do you really want to move those kids in your family,” Ross said. "And what we want to do is make sure that Connecticut is always really attractive to either stay here or come here."

Christopher Arnold, a liaison jobs officer for the Northeast Region of the Ministry of Defense, said that a 2015 survey conducted by the Ministry of Defense of active spouses found that most non-working people wanted to provide a second income for their families. However, there was still 23% of the problem unemployed on vacation and other issues. He said that other studies indicate that this number may be as high as 28%.

Source: US News