CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SIXTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. M-25-4 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Renée Grout
MEMORIAL
title
Memorial In Support Of House Bills 79, 81, 82, 110, 412 And 413, And Senate Bills 46, 104, 105, And 106 Supporting Spouses Of Military Personnel In The Portability Of Their Professional Business Licenses (Grout)
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MEMORIAL IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILLS 79, 81, 82, 110, 412 AND 413, AND SENATE BILLS 46, 104, 105, AND 106 SUPPORTING SPOUSES OF MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE PORTABILITY OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS LICENSES.
WHEREAS, active-duty members of the U.S. military are relocated often during the course of their careers, presenting numerous challenges for their spouses and families, especially spouses who are licensed professionals; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that the most challenging part of military relocation is finding new employment for the service member’s spouse, and this is especially burdensome for licensed professionals who must transfer professional certificates and licenses between states; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the unemployment rate of military spouses was 21%, and it took an average of 19 weeks for military spouses to find employment; and
WHEREAS, to assist military spouses, Congress amended the Servicemembers Relief Act in 2023 to ensure professional license portability by enabling states to form interstate compacts for licensed professionals; and
WHEREAS, the proposed bills will ensure interstate compact participation for the following professions:
• Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (HB 79 and SB 104)
• Occupational Therapy (HB 81)
• Physical Therapy (HB 82)
• Teaching (HB 110)
• Emergency Medical Services (HB 412)
• Physicians Assistants (HB 413)
• Osteopathic Physicians (SB 46)
• Social Work (SB 105)
• Psychology (SB 106)
WHEREAS, the New Mexico Legislature may introduce similar interstate compact participation legislation for the Advanced Practice-Registered Nurse, Cosmetology, Dental and Dental Hygienist, Dietician, Emergency Medical Services, Massage Therapy, Professional Counseling, Physician Assistant, and School Psychologist professions, and the Albuquerque City Council supports this forthcoming legislation; and
WHEREAS, unfilled positions in these essential healthcare and supportive service professions could be filled by trained and licensed military spouses if their licenses were portable; and
WHEREAS, Ensuring the portability of professional licenses would help ease the stress inherent in frequent moves due to military service.
BE IT MEMORIALIZED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. The Albuquerque City Council urges the New Mexico State Legislature to pass House Bills 79, 81, 82, 110, 412 and 413; and Senate Bills 46, 104, 105, and 106 along with similar interstate compact participation legislation to ensure the portability of professional licenses for the spouses of military service members.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk is directed to transmit copies of this Memorial to the City of Albuquerque State Legislative Delegation, the New Mexico Legislature, the Governor of New Mexico, and other appropriate state agencies.
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