State governor signs bill benefitting military spouses at Maxwell

  • Published
  • By Airman Matthew Markivee
  • Air University Public Affairs

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed Alabama House Bill 388 into law during the annual Governor’s Outstanding Service Member Awards Luncheon held May 3, 2018, at the Maxwell Club, here.

The bill, also known as The Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act, enables military spouses with professional licenses from other states to transfer their qualifications to an Alabama license.

“What this allows is when a member of the armed services is stationed here in Alabama, if his or her spouse has a professional license, this enables that professional license to be easily transferred from the state in which it was achieved and be accepted here in Alabama,” said Ivey.

42nd Air base Wing Commander Colonel Eric Shafa also attended the event.

“I just continue to applaud the efforts that this community and this state has to be able to support the military,” said Shafa.

Also joining Governor Ivey were special guests State Senator Gerald Dial, State Representative Thad McClammy and Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.

The bill applies to relocating spouses of active duty, guard and reserve service members, as well as surviving spouses of service members who, at the time of death, were serving on active duty. The bill does reserve some exceptions for specific career fields.  In order for the license or certificate to be eligible for transfer, the awarding state’s qualifications for the license must be substantially equivalent to those required in Alabama. In cases where qualifications are not similar, the bill authorizes temporary permits to be issued for up to 180 days, during which the holder should pursue equivalent qualifications. Approved licenses shall be provided without licensing fees by the issuing agency or board.