Weinstein announces bill signing of military spouses' legislation

State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson)’s bipartisan bill with Rep. Rick Perales (R-Beavercreek) will be signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on Monday, January 27 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 133 before being consolidated into Senate Bill 7 at the end of 2019.

“It’s an honor knowing that this legislation will be among the first twenty bills of the 133rd General Assembly signed into law by Gov. 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’s a real closing of the circle for me,” Rep. Weinstein added. “It was Wright-Patterson Air Force Base that brought me and my wife, Amanda, to Ohio after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, and I’m humbled to know the signing of this legislation will help many of the service members stationed there today.”