Plain English Breakdown
The official summary does not specify which executive orders qualify for licensure expansion; it only states they must be specified by law or regulation.
Veterans' Licensure and Support Services
This law expands fast-track licensing for veterans discharged under specific executive orders, requires free education on discharge upgrades with new priority rules including gender identity, and creates a funded program to provide no-cost housing support.
What This Bill Does
- Extends the requirement to expedite professional licensure to include service members whose discharge resulted solely from a specified executive order.
- Requires the Veteran's Military Discharge Upgrade Grant Program to fund services that are provided at no cost, rather than free or low cost.
- Mandates priority access for veterans who can show their less-than-honorable discharge was connected to mental health conditions, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault or harassment, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
- Requires the establishment of a new Veteran's Housing and Supportive Services Grant Program to fund no-cost housing supports for veterans being discharged from service.
- Requires the department to develop criteria, procedures, and accountability measures necessary to implement these grant programs.
Who It Names or Affects
- Veterans seeking professional licenses who were discharged solely as a result of a specified executive order.
- Service providers offering discharge upgrade education or filing assistance at no cost.
- Veterans being discharged from service who need housing support.
- The Department of Consumer Affairs and its licensing boards.
Terms To Know
- Executive Order
- A directive that can result in the discharge of military members, which this bill specifies for expanded licensure rules.
- Discharge Upgrade
- The process of changing a veteran's official record from a less than honorable status to an honorable one.
- Appropriation
- Money officially set aside by the Legislature required before these new grant programs can be established.
Limits and Unknowns
- The Veteran's Military Discharge Upgrade Grant Program and the new Housing program only start if the Legislature approves funding.
- Veterans must provide proof that their discharge characterization was connected to specific conditions like mental health, sexual assault, or gender identity to receive priority status.
- The bill does not list which specific executive orders qualify for the expanded licensing rules.