BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1904
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 18, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 1904 (Block, Butler, and Cook) - As Introduced: February
22, 2012
Policy Committee: Business and
Professions Vote: 9 - 0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes boards and bureaus under the Department of
Consumer Affairs (DCA) to issue temporary professional licenses
to the spouse or domestic partner of a military member based in
California who is on active duty. Specifically, this bill:
1)Authorizes a board under DCA to issue a temporary license to
the spouse or domestic partner of a military member on active
duty assigned to a duty station in California if the applicant
meets all the following conditions:
a) Submits the required application, fees, and fingerprints
to the board.
b) Provides satisfactory proof that the applicant is the
spouse or domestic partner of an active duty member of the
United States (U.S.) Armed Forces, as specified.
c) Holds a current license in another U.S. state, district,
or territory, and the board determines that those licensure
requirements are substantially equivalent to state
requirements.
2)Requires a board to expedite the issuance of a temporary
license under this bill.
3)Provides that the temporary license shall be valid for 180
days, and allows the board, at its discretion, to extend the
temporary license for an additional 180 days.
AB 1904
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FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time costs would likely exceed $150,000 (various special
funds) due to workload associated with automation systems
changes and the modification and creation of new application
forms.
2)On-going workload would be minor and absorbable.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The intent of this legislation is to allow for
professional license portability for military spouses and
domestic partners who have moved from another state because
their spouse has been assigned to a duty station in
California. The authors argue that the requirement that
military families frequently move from state to state,
combined with the patchwork of variable and frequently
time-consuming licensing requirements across states
disproportionately affects military spouses who hold
professional licenses. As a result, many military spouses
looking for jobs that require licenses are unsuccessful.
As of September 2011, there were 72,422 military spouses in
California. Recent surveys show that 15% of those spouses
(10,863) report that they have crossed state lines when their
spouse is transferred to another base. The Department of
Defense estimates that 35% of military spouses work in
professions that require a state license. Therefore, this
bill could streamline the licensing process for over 3,800
military spouses per year.
2)Background . State licensing and certification requirements are
intended to ensure that practitioners meet a minimum level of
competency. Because each state sets its own licensing
requirements, these requirements often vary across state
lines. Consequently, the lack of license portability - the
ability to transfer an existing license to a new state with
minimal application requirements - can be difficult for
licensed professionals when they move across state lines.
3)Related Legislation . AB 1588 (Atkins) of 2012, would require
boards under DCA to waive professional license renewal fees
and continuing education requirements for military reservists
called to active duty. This bill is currently on this
AB 1904
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committee's suspense file.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081