STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Chris May’s (R-Bedford) legislation cutting red tape for out-of-state military families who want to move to Indiana and start working could soon be law.
Currently, a service member’s family could hold a professional license like a plumber or nurse, which prevents them from working right away as they seek an Indiana license. Under current law, a service member’s spouse or dependent children must have maintained a similar out-of-state occupational license for at least two of the past five years to receive license reciprocity in Indiana. May said House Enrolled Act 1555 would improve the law by only requiring that an out-of-state credential be maintained for at least a year and be in good standing.
“I’m always looking out for ways to make our state more inviting to military veterans, active-duty members, and their families,” May said. “They bring so many needed skills and talents to our workforce and are productive members of our communities. Cutting red tape for them to start working more quickly in Indiana is a commonsense way for these families to establish themselves.”
Southwest Central Indiana is home to many military families because of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. The third largest naval installation in the world, it employs over 3,000 professionals who conduct research and development for the Navy.
“So much of NSWC Crane’s work leads to further research at our universities and in our business community,” May said. “It’s an ecosystem that attracts experts from all over Indiana and serves as a major economic driver in our region. We need to do everything we can to support them.”
To follow this and other legislation considered for new laws by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2023-bill-watch/.
