Michigan legislation would make it easier for veterans, family members to find work

Paul Egan
Detroit Free Press

LANSING – On the eve of Veterans Day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers from both parties announced legislation Tuesday they said will make it easier for military members, veterans and their families to get jobs in Michigan.

The package of bills will make it easier for them to get professional licensing when they move to Michigan from other states, cutting fees and red tape to speed transfers, officials said. 

Active military members are transferred frequently and it is often difficult for their spouses or children to quickly get work in a different state after a move.

"Spouses that are seeking employment ... are disrupted every time they move," said Major Gen. Paul Rogers, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard.

The bills will ease such moves to Michigan, affecting doctors, nurses, engineers, accountants, social workers, plumbers, skilled trades people and many others who require professional licensing.

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In addition to helping the military, "it will help our economy," Whitmer said.

"I want to thank all the great men and women who have put their lives on the line for others in this state."

Veterans are already eligible for initial license, registration, or application fee waivers for professional occupations regulated under the Occupational Code and the Skilled Trades Regulation Act. This legislation will expand present fee waivers under those acts to include dependents of veterans and those on active duty. Fee waivers will also be extended to health professions licensed under the Public Health Code. A dependent is defined as a spouse or child under the age of 26.

Also Tuesday, Whitmer asked President Donald Trump to extend federal pay and benefits for the use of Michigan National Guard personnel to assist in the fight against the coronavirus, through March 31.

Currently, federal funding is approved through the end of the year.

“The Michigan National Guard remains a crucial part of the state’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Guard is vital to our ongoing recovery as well," Whitmer said in a news release.

“Michigan, as in many other states, is experiencing a marked incline in our COVID-19 positive cases across the state. To provide a thorough response, Michigan has been heavily relying on the Michigan National Guard’s efforts to perform widespread testing and screening, distributing personal protective equipment, and assisting at numerous food banks across the state."

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter

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