SB2255 - Relating to the occupational licensing of military spouses.

  89R15332 BEE-D     By: Sparks S.B. No. 2255       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the occupational licensing of military spouses.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 55.004(a) and (d), Occupations Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules   for the issuance of the license to an applicant who is a military   service member, military veteran, or military spouse and:                (1)  holds a current license issued by another   jurisdiction that :                       (A)     for a military service member or military   veteran, has licensing requirements that are substantially   equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; and                       (B)     for a military spouse, is similar in scope of   practice to a license issued in this state; or                (2)  within the five years preceding the application   date held the license in this state.          (d)  A state agency that issues a license that has a   residency requirement for license eligibility :                 (1)   shall adopt rules regarding documentation   necessary for an applicant who is a military service member [ or   military spouse ] to establish residency for purposes of this   section [ subsection ], including by providing to the agency a copy   of the permanent change of station order for the applicant ; and                 (2)     may not adopt rules requiring documentation for an   applicant who is a military spouse to establish residency for   purposes of this section  [ or the applicant's spouse ].          SECTION 2.  Section 55.0041, Occupations Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), and (e) and adding Subsection (b-1)   to read as follows:          (a)  Notwithstanding any other law :                 (1) [ , ] a military service member [ or military spouse ]   may engage in a business or occupation for which a license is   required without obtaining the applicable license if the member [ or   spouse ] is currently licensed in good standing by another   jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are   substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in   this state ; and                 (2)     a military spouse may engage in a business or   occupation for which a license is required without obtaining the   applicable license if the spouse currently holds a license similar   in scope of practice issued by another jurisdiction and is in good   standing with that licensing authority .          (b)  Before engaging in the practice of the business or   occupation, the military service member [ or military spouse ] must:                (1)  notify the applicable state agency of the member's   [ or spouse's ] intent to practice in this state;                (2)  submit to the agency proof of the member's [ or   spouse's ] residency in this state in accordance with rules adopted   under Section 55.004(d) and a copy of the member's [ or spouse's ]   military identification card; and                (3)  receive from the agency confirmation that:                      (A)  the agency has verified the member's [ or   spouse's ] license in the other jurisdiction; and                      (B)  the member [ or spouse ] is authorized to   engage in the business or occupation in accordance with this   section.           (b-1)     Before engaging in the practice of the business or   occupation, the military spouse must:                 (1)     notify the applicable state agency of the spouse's   intent to practice in this state;                 (2)     submit to the agency a copy of the spouse's   military identification card; and                 (3)  receive from the agency confirmation that:                       (A)     the agency has verified the spouse's license   in the other jurisdiction; and                       (B)     the spouse is authorized to engage in the   business or occupation in accordance with this section.          (e)  A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules   to implement this section.  The rules must establish a process for   the agency to:                (1)  identify, with respect to each type of license   issued by the agency, the jurisdictions that :                       (A)   have licensing requirements that are   substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in   this state; or                       (B)     issue licenses similar in scope of practice   to a license issued in this state; and                (2)  not later than the 30th day after the date a   military service member or military spouse submits the information   described by Subsection (b) or (b-1) [ Subsections (b)(1) and (2) ],   as applicable, verify that the member or spouse is licensed in good   standing in a jurisdiction described by Subdivision (1).          SECTION 3.  Section 55.009, Occupations Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 55.009.  LICENSE APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION FEES.     Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues a license   shall waive the license application and examination fees paid to   the state for an applicant who is:                (1)  a military service member or military veteran   whose military service, training, or education substantially meets   all of the requirements for the license; or                (2)   either:                       (A)   a military service member or [ , ] military   veteran[ , or military spouse ] who holds a current license issued by   another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are   substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in   this state ; or                       (B)     a military spouse who holds a current license   issued by another jurisdiction that is similar in scope of practice   to a license issued in this state .          SECTION 4.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, a state agency, as defined by Section 55.001,   Occupations Code, shall adopt, modify, or repeal the rules   necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.          SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to   an application for a license filed with a state agency, as defined   by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, on or after the effective date   of this Act.  An application for a license filed before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect   immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.