HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1444        FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3204

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jerald A. Parisella and Paul Brodeur

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act reducing barriers to employment for returning armed forces members.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1444        FILED ON: 1/16/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3204

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 4007 OF 2011-2012.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act reducing barriers to employment for returning armed forces members.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Global fee waiver of any fee under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Administration and Finance:

SECTION 1. Section 3B of chapter 7 of the General laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “function”, in line 39, the following words:- ; provided, that the secretary of administration shall provide for a waiver of payment of any such amount constituting an entry fee for any board of registration and examination under the general laws or for other professional licensure for any veteran as defined by clause Forty-third of section 4 of chapter 7; provided, that such veteran make application for waiver within 1 year following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency or armed forces personnel who have been called to active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency; provided, however, that such waiver shall not include any board listed in subsection (a) of section 9 of chapter 13; and.

Apprentice ID Card application and renewal fee:

SECTION 2. Section 11W of chapter 23 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “director”, in line 6, the following words:- ; provided, however, that such fee shall be waived for any veteran as defined by clause Forty-third of section 4 of chapter 7; provided, that such veteran make application for waiver within 1 year following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency or armed forces personnel who have been called to active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency.

SECTION 3. Said section 11W of said chapter 23, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the word “sponsor”, in line 9, the following words:- ; provided, however, that such fee shall be waived for any veteran as defined by clause Forty-third of section 4 of chapter 7; provided, that such veteran make application for waiver within 1 year following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency or armed forces personnel who have been called to active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency.

Waiver for those fees not under the Executive’s discretion:

SECTION 4. Chapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 65, the following section:-

Section 65A. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3B of chapter 7, each board that regulates persons licensed, certified, or registered pursuant to subsection (b) of section 9 of chapter 13 or any such implementing provision in this chapter applicable to such board of registration and examination shall exempt such licensed, certified, or registered individuals who are veteran as defined by clause Forty-third of section 4 of chapter 7; provided, that such veteran make application for waiver within 1 year following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency or armed forces personnel who have been called to active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency from the payment of any professional or occupational license, certification, or registration fees, including renewal fees, and from any continuing education or professional competency requirements for a renewal cycle that falls within the period of service or within the 6 months following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency. Veterans or aArmed forces personnel who have been called to active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency, or contingency that are applying for a license, certification, or registration for the first time shall be exempt from the initial licensing fee provided that they make application within 1 year following completion of service in the war, emergency, or contingency.