BILL NUMBER: S2717
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, the insurance law and the real
property law, in relation to licensing of military spouses with out-of-
state licenses in equivalent occupations
 
PURPOSE:
To enact into law components of legislation relating to the 'Military
Spouse Act".
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: enacts the "Military Spouse Act".
Section 2: Amends the business law by adding article 2-A. Section 20 of
this new Article states the requirements prescribed in the article for a
particular profession.
Section 3: Amends Section 2136 of the Insurance Law to include appli-
cants who are spouses of members of the armed forces of the United
States, national guard or reserves.
Section 4: Amends the real property law by adding subdivision 1-a stat-
ing that no nonresident applicant who is a spouse of a member of the
armed forces shall be required to maintain a place of business within
this state.
Section 5: Amends the real property law by adding subdivision 2-a which
allows an applicant for a license to submit satisfactory evidence of
licensure to practice.
Section 6: Establishes a severability clause. Section 7: Establishes the
effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Office of the Deputy under Secretary of Defense recommends this
legislation for the Military Community and Family Policy as part of
their top ten priorities for States, which are important for the quali-
ty-of-life issues for service members and families. New York is behind
when it comes to the adoption of these licensing requirements. Incon-
sistencies between states and the lack of portable employment opportu-
nities hinder military spouses' career growth. The anticipated outcome
is that states provide alternative certifications and enhance the
licensing procedures so that it fits the needs of working military fami-
lies. New York can achieve this by providing education and training
opportunities, reciprocal licensing agreements, and out-of-state licens-
ing recognition. This would ensure that military spouses are able to
practice their profession across state lines. According to the United
States Department of Defense-State Liaison Office, this legislation
aligns with the 'best practices' language that is given by the Depart-
ment of Defense to partner with States to support military families.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:-
2023-2024: S.1273/A.4569 Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and
Military Affairs/Economic Development
2021-2022: S. 9237 Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military
Affairs
2019-2020: Referred to Rules.
2017: A.6778; referred to Higher Education
2018: A.6778; referred to Higher Education
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.

Statutes affected:
S2717: 2136 insurance law, 2136(d) insurance law, 442-g real property law, 444-e real property law