Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by deleting all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. This act must be known and may be cited as the "Armed Service Members and Spouses Professional and Occupational Licensing Act".
SECTION 2. Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 27 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 27-1-170.
(A) Except as provided in subsection
(G), and notwithstanding other provisions of law, this section
applies to a board, agency, commission, or other entity
providing professional licenses or certificates, or both, for
the purpose of employment in the State of South Carolina. A
board, commission, or agency providing professional licenses or
certificates, or both, may promulgate rules in conformity with
this section for the purpose of implementing its
requirements.
(B) Except as provided
in subsection (G), and notwithstanding another provision of law,
this section applies to individuals who:
(1)
are married to and living with an active duty member of
the United States Armed Forces who is relocated to and stationed
in this State under official military orders;
(2)
have not committed or participated in an act that would
constitute grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a
professional license or certificate;
(3)
have not been disciplined by an authorized entity or are
under investigation, in any jurisdiction, in relation to a
professional license or certificate; and
(4)
pay any required fee and submit to any required criminal
or other background check by an authorized board, commission, or
agency in this State.
(C) An eligible
individual under subsection (B) who possesses a valid
professional or occupational license or certificate in another
state, district, or territory of the United States with
licensing or certification requirements greater than or
substantially similar to the licensing or certification
requirements of the appropriate board, commission, or agency in
this State must be approved to continue work in that profession
or occupation upon relocation to this State for such time as
normally allotted with receipt of a license or certificate from
the appropriate board, commission, or agency.
(D) Upon completion of
an application that documents compliance with the receiving
agency's requirements for a certificate or license, an
authorized board, commission, or agency shall process the
application and issue a license within fifteen business days
after receipt of the application.
(E) In addition to
general personal information about the applicant, and other
documentation satisfying the receiving agency's requirements for
a certificate or license, the application must include proof
that he:
(1)
is married to and living with an active duty member of the
United States Armed Forces who is relocated to and stationed in
this State under official military orders;
(2)
possesses a valid license or certificate in another state,
district, or territory of the United States; and
(3)
holds the license in subsection (B) in 'good standing' as
evidenced by a certificate of good standing from the state,
district, or territory of the United States that issued the
license.
(F) A board,
commission, or agency in this State may establish reciprocity
with other states for military spouse professional licensing and
certification.
(G) This section does
not apply to:
(1)
the practice of law or the regulation of attorneys;
and
(2)
educators.
(H) A license or
certificate issued pursuant to this section is valid for the
same period of time as a license or certificate issued pursuant
to the requirements of the applicable title for the particular
profession or occupation.
(I) Nothing in this
section prevents a board, commission, or agency from revoking,
penalizing, or suspending a license pursuant to the appropriate
code sections regulating the particular profession."
SECTION 3. Section 40-1-640(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(A) A
professional or occupational board or commission governed by
this title may shall accept the
education, training, and experience completed by an individual
as a member of the Armed Forces or Reserves of the United
States, National Guard of any state, the Military Reserves of
any state, or the Naval Militias of any state and apply this
education, training, and experience in the manner most favorable
toward satisfying the qualifications for issuance of the
requested license or certification or approval for license
examination in this State, subject to the receipt of evidence
considered satisfactory by the board or commission."
SECTION 4. Section 40-1-630 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.