Sign Your Name - Support Service Member & Military Spouse License Reciprocity in Ohio

Ohio House of Representatives State & Local Government Committee

Tomorrow, the Ohio House of Representatives State and Local Government Committee is hosting a hearing on House Bill 133 - and we need them to vote it out of committee!

HB 133 will allow for military spouses, and members of the military - to include the National Guard and the Federal Reserve - the ability to continue their civilian careers in a licensed profession as they get settled here in Ohio.

As an example, if a service member is assigned to an installation in Ohio, and their spouse is a nurse in another state, the spouse cannot resume being a nurse in Ohio until they acquire an Ohio-specific license.

The passing of this bill will require the state's occupational licensing agencies to issue temporary licenses or certificates to members of the military and spouses who are licensed in other states, while they go about the process of acquiring an Ohio-specific license.

Military spouse underemployment and unemployment is far too high. HB 133 will help fight this, and help our hardworking military families by allowing them to continue their careers here in Ohio.

To: Ohio House of Representatives State & Local Government Committee
From: [Your Name]

Chairman Wiggam, Ranking Member Kelly, and members of the Ohio House of Representatives State & Local Government Committee:

As veterans, military family members, and supporters of Ohio's military community, we urge you to pass Ohio House Bill 133.

According to a recent study by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, military spouses have an unemployment rate of 16%, which is far higher than the national rate of 3.4%. Once you add in military spouses who work part-time employment, the underemployment rate jumps to 55%, which makes stressful lives even more difficult.

The passing of HB133 will allow for military families moving into Ohio one less thing to worry about as they get situated here in the Buckeye State. It also shows that the state Ohio cares about its military community, and wants to create incentives for military families to stay here after their partners complete their service.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and please vote for HB 133.