Rep. Chris May’s Legislation Would Help Streamline Occupational Licensing for Military Families

(STATEHOUSE) – State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) filed legislation to remove unnecessary barriers on occupational licenses for military families to encourage more of them to move to Indiana.

Rep. Chris May

Current law requires a serviceperson or their spouse to have an occupational license for at least two of the five years preceding their application date. May’s bill would shorten that requirement to one year. To further attract more professional license holders, a serviceperson’s dependents who are under 26 years old could also take advantage of this expedited process.

“Indiana has always made it a priority to be a welcoming state for our military veterans,” May said. “If we can make it easier for their spouses and children to get the necessary licensing to continue in their chosen occupations, it’s a tremendous selling point for encouraging them to live here.”

Nearby Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, is a military base that has more than 3,800 employees.

“Anything we can do to support our military community is worth it, especially when they’re one of the largest employers in our area,” May said.

House Bill 1450 has been assigned to the House Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions for consideration. Watch session and committees live, and view legislation at iga.in.gov.