Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6407
AN ACT CONCERNING THE OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
Title: LICENSES OF MILITARY MEMBERS' SPOUSES.
Vote Date: 3/22/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Change of Reference to General Law
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Department of Defense
REASONS FOR BILL:
Military families are constantly moved around the country. It is a challenge for military
spouses to procure employment in careers they are licensed in when moving from state to
state. This bill will help resolve that problem.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
State of Connecticut Judicial Branch submitted written testimony requesting that that
licensing of attorneys be added as an exception to the bill, as admission to the practice of law
is the exclusive province of the Judicial Branch.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Christopher R. Arnold, Northeast Regional Liaison, Defense-State Liaison Office,
Department of Defense, Military Community and Family Policy testified and submitted written
testimony is support of this legislation stating that Connecticut is the only state with no
general spouse licensure recognition.
Research shows unemployment rates for military spouses are as high as 28 percent, as the
national military family association has observed, while military as a group are more educated
than their civilian counterparts, they often struggle to find work. The average military spouse
will move six to nine times over the course of his or her service member's career due to
military-ordered moves. More than half of military spouses work in the career field that
requires licensure or certification and more than 72 percent of those licenses must be
reissued upon every government-ordered move to a new state.
Tony Sheridan President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut submitted
testimony in support of this bill. It is important that Connecticut join other states in
establishing broad professional licensure and certification recognition for military spouses. As
these families dedicate themselves in service to our country, easing their transfer in a change
of station should be prioritized and every effort made to mitigate adverse impacts to military
spouses career and access to work in their professional area.
The National Association of Social Workers, CT Chapter submitted written testimony
supporting this bill. This is an idea that is long overdue and much needed to assist spouses
of military members and other persons to readily attain employment required licensing or
certification when moving into Connecticut.
Ashley Zane, Government Affairs Associate, Connecticut Business and Industry Association
testified and submitted written testimony in support saying I do want to emphasize the point
that a lot of these spouses don't have a choice in where they relocate to and 90 percent of
spouses are women with a third of this demographic working in licensed professions.
Acknowledging the trades Ms. Zane wrote CBIA also supports the ability for the
Commissioner to deny a license to maintain the public safety and health of residents.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Keith R. Brothers, Secretary/Treasurer of the CT Building Trades Council and the President
of the Norwich-New London Building Trades Council submitted written testimony in
opposition to this legislation stating that A far more reasonable way to attain the goals of the
proponents of this legislation is to establish a working group of this distinguished Committee
and the Administrations Military Department and representatives of the licensees of the
occupations you would like to target.
The CT Building Trades is suffering 30% unemployment, some may be attributable to the
pandemic, but most is due to the failure of the State and Nation to come up with job
generating infrastructure projects to accommodate those who are already trained and
licensed. Why should the effort to assist some at the same time damage the jobs of others?
John DeRosa, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 91 submitted written
testimony opposing this bill commenting this bill would allow a person who holds a valid
license, permit, certification or registration in another state to obtain a Connecticut license
without approval from the Elevator Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Work Examination
Board.
Bill Finch, The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) submitted written testimony in opposition to this bill
sharing We welcome the spouses of Veterans who move to Connecticut and want to enter
our free JATC program, and will do what we can to assure they have the requisite education
and training our citizens have relied on to keep our buildings and our workers safe. However,
we caution against removing requirements for on the job training for individuals from other
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states looking to enter the construction trades as there are many variances in state building
codes, training requirements, and factors such as climate which may impact experience and
skill. It does not mean a person is less talented, but their talents may be different.
Kimberly Glassman, Director, The Foundation for Fair Contracting of Connecticut submitted
written testimony in opposition to the bill as it is currently written. She urges the committee
to amend HB 6407 to exclude the construction-related licenses housed within Chapter 393 of
the C.G.S.
Sal Luciano, President, Connecticut AFL-CIO submitted written testimony in opposition.
This is poorly conceived legislation, and we urge the Committee take no action and instead
refer it to the General Law Committee.
Cameron Champlin, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 777 also submitted written
testimony in opposition.
Reported by: Jeanie Phillips, Clerk Date: April 8, 2021
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