Rep. Weinstein announces military spouses' legislation signed into law
COLUMBUS – State Representative Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) today announced that his bipartisan bill with State Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The legislation, which will grant licensing reciprocity for active duty military families, started in the legislature as House Bill (HB) 133 before being consolidated with Senate Bill (SB) 7 at the end of 2019.
“It’s an honor knowing that this legislation will be among the first bills of the 133rd general assembly signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine,” said Weinstein. “I am proud that the first bill I introduced will have an immeasurable impact on active-duty families throughout Ohio.”
A study conducted by the Department of Defense in 2017 found that 25 percent of military-spouses were unemployed, a rate seven times higher than the national average despite having higher rates of educational attainment. In addition to alleviating a key economic stressor on military families, licensing reciprocity will help bring in-demand professionals—including nurses and teachers—to Ohio, keep top talent in the military for longer, and maintain national military readiness.
“It was the Air Force that brought me to join my wife, Amanda, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base back in 2005,” Weinstein added. “We served together as Lieutenants there, and saw our fellow service members and their families struggle as a result of spousal unemployment and underemployment time and time again. To have the opportunity to be a part of the change and put Ohio on a path to solve this problem leaves me both humbled and profoundly grateful. This is what public service is all about.”