Senate Bill No. 346, also known as File No. 165, is designed to facilitate the portability of occupational licenses for members of the armed forces and their spouses when they move to Connecticut due to military orders. The bill requires state agencies to recognize out-of-state occupational and professional licenses that are in good standing and have been actively used within the last two years, provided they are for a similar scope of practice and discipline as the one applied for in Connecticut. This recognition is in accordance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) as amended by Congress in 2023. The bill also mandates that by July 1, 2024, state agencies must publish an application process that complies with the provisions of the SCRA for recognizing these licenses.

The bill amends Section 21a-11b and similar statutes to remove the residency requirement for licensure by the Department of Consumer Protection and the Department of Public Health, except for members of the armed forces or their spouses as provided in the act. Applicants must meet certain conditions, such as holding a valid license in another jurisdiction, having at least four years of experience, being in good standing, passing background checks, paying required fees, and passing any required examinations. The bill also allows for the denial of a license if it is in the best interest of the state and accommodates applicants from states that do not require a license for their profession. The bill has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities and is effective upon passage, having received a Joint Favorable report with a unanimous vote from the Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
VA Joint Favorable:
File No. 165: