State Senators continue efforts to support veterans and their families through legislative initiatives
Tennessee has received high marks from veterans’ groups for legislation enacted to support service members and their families over the last several years. This week, the Senate passed legislation continuing these efforts. This includes Senate Bill 1197 which aims to make the relocation process smoother for military families. The legislation allows a dependent child of a service member who is relocated to Tennessee on a military order to enroll in the school district the child will reside in prior to moving into the district.
In order to register, the parents must prove that the student is a dependent on a service member who is being relocated on military orders. The parents must also verify that upon relocation the student will become a resident within the designated school district. The bill allows for the board of education to adopt policies establishing a reasonable time period for such families to provide proof of residency within the school district.
In-State-Tuition / Spouse or Dependent of Active Duty Military — Similarly, Senate Bill 242 ensures that the spouse or dependent of an active duty military member can receive in-state-tuition at a Tennessee public university, even after being transferred out of the state on military orders.
In this circumstance, the spouse or dependent would be classified as an in-state student if he or she was accepted for admission as a Tennessee resident and maintains continuous enrollment.
Professional Out-of-State Licensure / U.S. Armed Forces Members and Spouse — To continue efforts to help out-of-state military families transition smoothly into Tennessee, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee approved legislation this week allowing a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or his/her spouse to practice their occupation for up to one year with an out-of-state medical license when stationed in Tennessee.
Under this legislation, these armed forces members and their spouses are eligible to practice occupations regulated by the Department of Commerce and Insurance or the Department of Health, as long the license from their home state is current and they are in good standing with the state of their currently held license.
The bill will now move to the floor to be approved by the full Senate.
Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day — Finally, the Senate approved legislation to designate June 27th of each year as Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day. Veterans who endure severe combat stress can develop an invisible wound that leads to physical changes in the brain. In the past, this condition has been referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it is more accurately and honorably described as an injury rather than disorder. The legislation is designed to promote awareness of persons suffering from post-traumatic stress injury.
Other efforts by the General Assembly in recent years to support veterans and their families include legislation ensuring full property tax relief for 100 percent service-related disabilities, allowing service members’ military training to count towards a degree, giving hiring preference to veterans, offering tuition free college education to the children and spouse of Tennessee soldiers who have died in combat, and making it easier for those who are deployed overseas to vote. These are in addition to legislative efforts to provide enhanced educational benefits to active and retired veterans.