Photo By Capt. Phil Fountain | Texas Gov. Rick Perry visits with Taya Kyle, wife of slain Navy SEAL Chris Kyle,...... read more read more
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AUSTIN, Texas – In a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol, Gov. Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 162, which was passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature to address employment challenges facing military service members, recently separated veterans and their spouses.
The bipartisan legislation requires state agencies that issue occupational licenses to recognize substantially equivalent licenses issued by other jurisdictions – including the armed forces – and provide an expedited licensure process for these individuals.
“The unemployment rate among veterans is one of the highest in the United States,” said state Rep. Dan Flynn of Van (HD-2), who sponsored the bill in the Texas House. “Considering the sacrifices they made for our country, it is imperative we help their transition to civilian life by giving them credit for the hard work and training they have accomplished in the military.”
Flynn, a U.S. Army veteran who also serves as a commander in the Texas State Guard’s Maritime Regiment, worked with state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio (SD-26), who chairs the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, to develop the legislation.
“After our heroes fight for us, they should not then have to fight for a job when they get back home,” Van de Putte said.
Until now, military training was not recognized by the state of Texas, for licensure purposes.
“Too often, service members and their spouses must wait too long for licensing in fields in which they already have substantial experience,” Van de Putte said. “This law will put them on the fast-track for an occupational license, but also will require them to come into full compliance with Texas’ licensing requirements within a year.”
Additionally, SB 162 is also known as the “Chris Kyle Bill,” named after the former Navy SEAL and author who was slain earlier this year, and recognizes the achievements of service members with special operations training. Kyle’s wife, Taya, was on-hand at the signing ceremony.
“I appreciate the sacrifices these many brave special operators have made,” Flynn said, “and I hope that by incorporating these changes into current Texas law we can honor the legacy of Chris Kyle and the many like him.”
The legislation grants these veterans credit toward the issuance of a basic police officer’s license. Additional training and a certification test is still required to receive the license.
“If a soldier can dodge IEDs in Iraq or Afghanistan while driving a semi, they can drive safely on I-35 or I-30 without having to be trained again,” Flynn said.
It’s possible that this type of legislation will now be pursued throughout the country, as Van de Putte and Flynn co-chair the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Task Force on Military and Veterans Affairs.
“We hope this legislation will serve as a model for all states,” Flynn said, “and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Defense to find new and better ways to show our appreciation to veterans as the return home.”
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.16.2013 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 113722 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | VAN, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 11,632 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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