SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1237        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2017

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Eric P. Lesser

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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 to aid military service members in finding civilian employment.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1237        FILED ON: 1/19/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2017

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act to aid military service members in finding civilian employment.

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

Chapter 115 of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2014 edition, is hereby amended by inserting after section 2B the following new section:-

Section 2C. (a) The commissioner, to the maximum extent practicable, will make information on civilian credentialing opportunities available to individuals serving in the armed forces of the United States or commonwealth, at every stage of training for military occupational specialties (MOS), and veterans, as defined in section 7 of chapter 4 of the general laws, in order to permit armed forces members to evaluate the extent to which such training correlates with the skills and training required in connection with various civilian certifications and licenses and to assess the suitability of such training for obtaining or pursuing such civilian certifications and licenses.

(b) Information shall be made available under paragraph (a) by the commissioner throughout the full duration of service for individuals serving in the armed forces of the United States or commonwealth and to veterans to the maximum extent practicable, and also in a manner consistent with the Transition Goals Plans Success program administered under the Transition Assistance Program. The information made available under paragraph (a) shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) information on the civilian occupational equivalents of MOS

(2) information on civilian license or certification requirements, including examination requirements; and

(3) information on the availability and opportunities for use of educational benefits available to individuals serving in the armed forces of the United States or commonwealth, as appropriate, corresponding training, or continuing education that leads to a certification exam in order to provide a pathway to credentialing opportunities.

(c) The commissioner shall, to the maximum extent practicable consistent with national security and privacy requirements, make available to state agencies and other entities specified herein, information such as military course training curricula, syllabi, levels of military advancement attained, professional skills developed, and specific civilian occupational equivalents of MOS. These entities shall include, but not be limited to the following: the department of professional licensure, the department of public safety, the department of public health, the registry of motor vehicles, and other entities approved by the commissioner, for purposes of educational assistance under the laws administered by the commissioner.

(d) The actions taken pursuant to paragraph (a) shall include the establishment of an online central repository of the information specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) that is readily accessible by individuals serving in the armed forces of the United States and commonwealth, veterans and state agencies and entities specified in paragraph (b).