H.B. No. 139
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to state occupational licensing of certain military
  veterans and military spouses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 21.052, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a-1), (b-1), and (f) and adding Subsection
  (i) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  The commissioner may adopt rules establishing
  exceptions to the examination requirements prescribed by
  Subsection (a)(3) for an educator from outside the state, including
  military service members, military spouses, and military veterans,
  to obtain a certificate in this state.
         (b-1)  The board shall propose rules in accordance with
  Chapter 55, Occupations Code, to establish procedures to expedite
  the processing of an application for a certificate under this
  section submitted by an educator who is a military veteran or
  military [the] spouse [of a person who is serving on active duty as
  a member of the armed forces of the United States], including rules
  for providing a permanent change of station order for purposes of
  establishing residency and for providing a military identification
  card [the appropriate documentation to establish the educator's
  status as a spouse of a person who is serving on active duty as a
  member of the armed forces of the United States].
         (f)  The board shall post on the board's Internet website the
  procedures for obtaining a certificate under Subsection (a) and the
  notice required under Section 55.010, Occupations Code.
         (i)  In this section:
               (1)  "Active duty" means current full-time military
  service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty
  military service as a member of the Texas military forces, as
  defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or similar military
  service of another state.
               (2)  "Armed forces of the United States" means the
  army, navy, air force, space force, coast guard, or marine corps of
  the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the
  armed forces.
               (3)  "Military service member" means a person who is on
  active duty.
               (4)  "Military spouse" means a person who is married to
  a military service member.
               (5)  "Military veteran" means a person who has served
  on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.
         SECTION 2.  Section 55.001(2), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
               (2)  "Armed forces of the United States" means the
  army, navy, air force, space force, coast guard, or marine corps of
  the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the
  armed forces.
         SECTION 3.  Section 55.004, Occupations Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (c)  In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (a), a
  state agency that issues a license may adopt rules that would
  establish alternate methods for a military service member, military
  veteran, or military spouse to demonstrate competency to meet the
  requirements for obtaining the license, including receiving
  appropriate credit for training, education, and clinical and
  professional experience.
         (d)  A state agency that issues a license that has a
  residency requirement for license eligibility shall adopt rules
  regarding documentation necessary for a military spouse applicant
  to establish residency for purposes of this subsection, including
  by providing to the agency a copy of the permanent change of station
  order for the military service member to whom the spouse is married.
         SECTION 4.  Section 55.0041(b), Occupations Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Before engaging in the practice of the business or
  occupation, the military spouse must:
               (1)  notify the applicable state agency of the spouse's
  intent to practice in this state;
               (2)  submit to the agency proof of the spouse's
  residency in this state in accordance with rules adopted under
  Section 55.004(d) and a copy of the spouse's military
  identification card; and
               (3)  receive from the agency confirmation that:
                     (A)  the agency has verified the spouse's license
  in the other jurisdiction; and
                     (B)  the spouse is authorized to engage in the
  business or occupation in accordance with this section.
         SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  an initial application for or an application for renewal of an
  occupational license or certificate filed on or after the effective
  date of this Act.  An application for a license or certificate filed
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date the application was filed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 139 was passed by the House on April
  1, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 139 was passed by the Senate on May 3,
  2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor