Senator Bob Onder Applauds Simplified Licensing for Military Spouses
JEFFERSON CITY – State Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, is pleased to announce important legislation to simplify professional registration for military spouses has been signed by the governor, and is proud to have played a role in its passage. Senator Onder championed similar legislation in the Senate early in the 2020 legislative session.
House Bill 1511 allows any resident or nonresident military spouse relocating to Missouri to apply for an occupational license, as long as he or she holds a valid license issued by another state or territory of the United States. The governor called for passage of the workforce development measure during his State of the State Address in January.
“Military families pay a huge price emotionally and financially as they are relocated throughout the country and the world,” Sen. Onder said. “Military spouses do not lose their knowledge or skills when they cross state lines. The least we can do for our nation’s heroes and their families is cut the red tape and welcome them into our workforce.”
According to a recent report published by the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors, 35 percent of military spouses work in fields requiring professional licenses. The need to obtain a professional certification as a military family relocated to a new state contributed to a 24 percent unemployment rate among civilian spouses of military personnel prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Senator Onder serves portions of St. Charles County and residents of Missouri’s 2nd Senatorial District. For more information about Sen. Onder visit his webpage at www.senate.mo.gov/mem02.