HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 139 Benefits, Training, and Employment for Veterans and Their Spouses
SPONSOR(S): Appropriations Committee, Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee, Woodson and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N, As CS Speas McElroy
2) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special 16 Y, 0 N Mwakyanjala Darden
Districts Subcommittee
3) Appropriations Committee 27 Y, 0 N, As CS Aderibigbe Pridgeon
4) Health & Human Services Committee 16 Y, 0 N Speas Calamas
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Florida is home to 21 military installations and more than 69,000 military personnel. Florida also has the
nation’s third-largest veteran population with almost 1.5 million veterans. Many of these veterans are recently
transitioned servicemembers.
The Department of Health (DOH), has general regulatory authority over health care practitioners . Veterans and
their spouses who hold an active health care license in another state are eligible for expedited licensing and
fee waivers. Currently, DOH does not have a dedicated office to assist veterans and their spouses applying for
expedited licensing and fee waivers. Instead, veterans and their spouses must submit their applications to one
of DOH’s 22 regulatory boards, or to DOH if there is no board.
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) is currently required to provide various benefits and
services to veterans and their dependents. Current law does not require the FDVA to provide these benefits
and services to the spouses of veterans.
Veterans Florida, a non-profit corporation within the FDVA, administers the Veterans Employment and Training
Services Program to assist veterans in obtaining employment. Current law does not require Veterans Florida to
provide these services to the spouses of veterans. Current law also does not require Veterans Florida to assist
veterans or their spouses with access, training, education, or employment in health care profes sions.
The bill establishes the Office of Veteran Licensure Services (Office) which must provide information,
guidance, direction and assistance with health care licensure processes for all veterans and their spouses. The
bill also requires the Office to refer any veteran or spouse seeking training, education, or employment in health
care professions to Veterans Florida.
The bill requires FDVA and Veterans Florida to provide spouses of veterans with all services and benefits
currently provided to veterans. The bill requires Veterans Florida to assist veterans and their spouses with
access, training, education, or employment in health care professions and to refer veterans and spouses
seeking health care licensure to DOH.
The bill appropriates $380,209 in recurring funds and $19,356 in nonrecurring funds from the Medical Quality
Assurance Trust Fund to DOH. The bill has no fiscal impact on local governments.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2023.
FULL ANALYSIS
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0139g.HHS
DATE: 4/11/2023
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Each year, about 250,000 servicemembers end military service as veterans and either reenter the
civilian workforce or enroll in higher education.1 Florida is home to 21 military installations 2 and 69,290
military personnel.3 Florida also has the nation’s third-largest veteran4 population with almost 1.5 million
veterans.5 Many of these veterans are recently transitioned servicemembers.
Florida Department of Health
Licensure of Health Care Practitioners
The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA), within the Department of Health (DOH), has general
regulatory authority over health care practitioners.6 The MQA partners with 22 regulatory boards and
four councils to license and regulate more than 200 license types and more than 40 health care
professions.7 Each profession is regulated by an individual practice act and by ch. 456, F.S., which
provides general regulatory and licensure authority for the MQA. MQA is statutorily responsible for the
following boards and professions established within the division: 8
The Board of Acupuncture, created under ch. 457, F.S.;
The Board of Osteopathic Medicine, created under ch. 459, F.S.;
The Board of Chiropractic Medicine, created under ch. 460, F.S.;
The Board of Podiatric Medicine, created under ch. 461, F.S.;
Naturopathy, as provided under ch. 462, F.S.;
The Board of Optometry, created under ch. 463, F.S.;
The Board of Nursing, created under part I of ch. 464, F.S.;
Nursing assistants, as provided under part II of ch. 464, F.S.;
The Board of Pharmacy, created under ch. 465, F.S.;
The Board of Dentistry, created under ch. 466, F.S.;
Midwifery, as provided under ch. 467, F.S.;
The Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, created under part I of ch. 468, F.S.;
The Board of Nursing Home Administrators, created under part II of ch. 468, F.S.;
The Board of Occupational Therapy, created under part III of ch. 468, F.S.;
Respiratory therapy, as provided under part V of ch. 468, F.S.;
Dietetics and nutrition practice, as provided under part X of ch. 468, F.S.;
The Board of Athletic Training, created under part XIII of ch. 468, F.S.;
The Board of Orthotists and Prosthetists, created under part XIV of ch. 468, F.S.;
Electrolysis, as provided under ch. 478, F.S.;
1
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Your VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP), available at
https://www.benefits.va.gov/transition/tap.asp (last visited Feb. 9, 2023).
2 Enterprise Florida, Defense & Homeland Security, available at https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/defense-and-
homeland-security-industry-profile.pdf (last visited Feb. 9, 2023).
3 Data from September 2021. Florida Military & Defense, Economic Impact Summary (2022), 2, available at
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/wp-content/uploads/Florida-2022-EIS-Summary-Book-Final.pdf (last visited Feb. 9, 2023).
4 S. 1.01(14), F.S., defines a “veteran” as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was disch arged or
released under honorable conditions, or who later received an upgraded discharge under honorable conditions. The definition in s.
1.01(14), F.S., is cited in numerous statutes, including ss. 117.02, 265.003, 292.055, 295.02, 295.07, 295.187, 295.188, 296. 02,
296.08, 296.33, 296.36, 409.1664, 548.06, 943.17, and 1009.26, F.S.
5 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VetPop2020 b y State, Age Group,
Gender, 2020-2050, available at https://www.va.gov/vetdata/veteran_population.asp (last visited Feb. 9, 2023). The Veteran Population
Projection Model 2020 (VetPop2020) provides an official veteran population projection from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs .
6 Health care practitioner means a health care practitioner as defined in s. 456.001, F.S., and a person licensed under part III of ch.
401, F.S., or part IV of ch. 468, F.S.
7 Florida Department of Health (DOH), Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA), Annual Report and Long-Range Plan, Fiscal Year
2020-2021, p. 6, https://mqawebteam.com/annualreports/2021/8/ (last visited Feb. 7, 2023).
8 S. 456.001(4), F.S; Id.
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The Board of Massage Therapy, created under ch. 480, F.S.;
The Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, created under part III of ch. 483, F.S.;
Medical physicists, as provided under part IV of ch. 483, F.S.;
The Board of Opticianry, created under part I of ch. 484, F.S.;
The Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, created under part II of ch. 484, F.S.;
The Board of Physical Therapy Practice, created under ch. 486, F.S.;
The Board of Psychology, created under ch. 490, F.S.;
School psychologists, as provided under ch. 490, F.S.;
The Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health
Counseling, created under ch. 491, F.S.; and
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics, as provided under part III of ch. 401, F.S.
Military and Veteran Licensure
Florida offers expedited licensing and fee waivers to a person who serves or has served as a health
care practitioner in the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces, or the National Guard.9 To qualify for
expedited licensure and fee waivers, the person must have actively practiced the profession for which
he or she is applying during the preceding 3 years and must: 10
Submit a complete application;
Submit proof that he or she has received an honorable discharge within 6 months before, or will
receive an honorable discharge within 6 months after, the date of submission of the application;
Submit proof that he or she holds an active, unencumbered license issued by another state, the
District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the U.S. and who has not had
disciplinary action taken against him or her in the 5 years preceding the date of submission of
the application;
Attest that he or she is not, at the time of submission of the application, the subject of a
disciplinary proceeding in a jurisdiction in which he or she holds a license or by the U.S.
Department of Defense for reasons related to the practice of the profession for which he or s he
is applying; and
Submit a set of fingerprints for a background screening, if required for the profession for which
he or she is applying.
DOH is required to develop an application form,11 and each board, or DOH if there is no board, is
required to waive the application fee, licensure fee, and unlicensed activity fee for such applicants. 12
Only veterans who were licensed as health care practitioners while serving are eligible for the fee
waiver.
Military Spouse Licensure
It is estimated that 32,151 individuals residing in Florida are spouses of active duty members of the
U.S. Armed Forces.13 Each board, or DOH if there is no board, is also authorized to issue professional
licenses to military spouses to practice his or her health care profession in Florida.14 To be eligible, a
military spouse must:15
Submit a completed application;
Provide proof that he or she is married to an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
assigned to a duty station in Florida pursuant to official military orders;
Provide proof of a valid license from another state or jurisdiction to practice the health
profession for which he or she is applying and that such license is not subject to any disciplinary
proceeding;
9 This includes the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. 10 U.S.C. § 101(a)(4).
10 S. 456.024(3)(b), F.S.
11 R. 64B-9.003, F.A.C.
12 S. 456.024(3)(a), F.S
13 Correspondence from the Department of Military Affairs, dated Feb. 10, 2023, on file with the Healthcare Regulation Subcommit tee.
14 S. 456.024(4), F.S.
15 S. 456.024(4)(a)-(d), F.S.
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Provide proof that he or she would otherwise be entitled to full licensure and is eligible to take
the respective licensure examination as required in this state; and
Pass a criminal background screening.
DOH must issue these licenses and do so within seven days after receipt of all required documentation.
The board, or DOH if there is no board, is required to expedite all applications submitted by an active
duty member’s spouse. DOH must also waive the application fee.
Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System (VALOR)
DOH operates the Florida Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response System (VALOR) to
provide expedited health care professional licensing16 for veterans and spouses of active duty military
members.17 Since VALOR’s inception in 2014, the program has assisted 1,629 qualified applicants.
During FY 2021-22 alone, the program assisted 362 qualified members.18
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) is a nearly 1,500-member constitutionally
chartered19 department with a budget of $171 million for FY 2022-23.20 FDVA operates a network of
nine state veterans’ homes and provides statewide outreach to connect veterans with services, benefits
and support.21 FDVA is currently required to provide benefits and services in the fields of health care,
mental health and substance abuse, claims support, education, employment, housing, burial benefits,
and legal assistance to veterans and their dependents. 22 Current Florida law does not require FDVA to
provide these benefits and services to the spouses of veterans.
Veterans Florida
Veterans Florida,23 a non-profit corporation within the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, was
created to promote Florida as a veteran-friendly state.24 Veterans Florida encourages and assists
retired and recently separated military personnel to keep or make Florida their permanent residence,
helps equip veterans for employment opportunities, and promotes the hiring of veterans. 25 In Fiscal
Year 2021-2022, Veterans Florida assisted 2,668 veterans with career assistance and job placement. 26
Current law does not require Veterans Florida to provide assistance or services to the spouses of
veterans.
Duties of Veterans Florida include:27
Contracting with at least one entity to research and identify the target market and the
educational and employment needs of veterans.
Advising the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation regarding:
o the target market;
16
VALOR is designed to issue licenses for all qualified initial applicants within one day. Department of Health Agency Analysis for HB
139 (January 18, 2023).
17 See http://www.flhealthsource.gov/valor (last visited Feb. 8, 2023 ).
18 Department of Health Agency Analysis for HB 139 (January 18, 2023).
19 Art. IV, s. 11, Fla. Const.
20
Ch. 2022-156, Laws of Fla., pg. 141.
21 Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Our Vision and Mission, available at
https://www.floridavets.org/leadership/ (last visited on February 14, 2023).
22 Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, Benefits & Services, available at https://www.floridavets.org/benefits-services/ (last visited on
February 14, 2023).
23 In 2015, the Florida Is For Veterans, Inc., Board of Directors approved the fictitious name “Veterans Florida.” See
http://dos.sunbiz.org/scripts/ficidet.exe?action=DETREG&docnum=G15000027981&rdocnum=G15000027981 (last visited Feb. 9,
2023). See also s. 295.21(5)(e), F.S.
24 S. 295.21(1), F.S.
25 S. 295.21(2), F.S.
26 Veterans Florida, Annual Report (2022), pg. 10, available at https://www.veteransflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2021-22-
Annual-Report.pdf (last visited Feb. 9, 2023).
27 S. 295.21(3), F.S.
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o developing and implementing a marketing campaign to encourage servicemembers to
remain in Florida or make Florida their permanent residence; and
o Methods for disseminating information to the target market that relate to interests and
needs of veterans and facilitate veterans’ knowledge of and access to benefits.
Promoting and enhancing the value of military skill sets to businesses.
Implementing the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program.
Managing all appropriated funds to ensure the use of such funds conforms to all applicable
laws, bylaws, or contractual requirements.
Veterans Employment and Training Services Program
Veterans Florida administers the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program to assist in
connecting veterans in search of employment with businesses seeking to hire dedicated, well-trained
workers.28 The purpose of the program is to meet the workforce demands of businesses in the state by
facilitating access to training and education in high-demand fields for veterans.29
Functions of the program include:30
Conducting marketing and recruiting efforts directed at veterans who are seeking employment
and who reside in or who have an interest in relocating to Florida.
Assisting veterans seeking employment who reside in Flor