When a Servicemember deploys overseas, his or her spouse often returns home for the duration of the deployment. During that time, the spouse's professional licenses, bonds and other state-granted permissions may expire. Washington state Senate Bill SB - 6290 seeks to relieve this headache by allowing the spouse or domestic partner's license to be placed on inactive status for the length of the deployment, preventing the license from expiring and penalty fees from accruing. Once the licensed spouse or registered partner returns, he or she has six months to reactivate the license and pay any renewal fees as they normally would.

There are several bills before the legislature relating to students seeking higher education in a military environment. However, SHB - 1470, focuses on the same privileges that the Job Corp, Peace Corp, and AmeriCorp have available to them and will also be granted to military recruiters on the school campuses of grades K - 12. If a school district receives federal funds, it will provide its students with the same presentation space and time to military career recruiters as it would the other organizations. The intention of this bill is to make available information concerning military careers to all students in those districts.

"Joining the Navy after meeting military recruiters in high school became one of the most pivotal aspects her life," public testimony provided for this bill states. "The Navy taught her to make decisions and be accountable for them and led her to a high-wage career in life sciences."

At this time, all active duty Servicemembers complete DD form 93 as part of the collection of emergency data that lists family, friends, and others that one would want notified in the event of injury or death. However, a bill before the Washington State Legislature, SHB - 1073 would allow Servicemembers to choose a particular person that they wish to direct disposition of their remains.

Who is working in Olympia for you in supporting these and other proposed laws? The Veterans Legislative Coalition (VLC) is there. "The VLC is a non-political group with one goal, to support legislation of benefits for active duty, National Guard, Reserves, veterans and their families," said Dennis Primoli, retired US Air Force and former chairman of the VLC.

For more information visit www.leg.wa.gov  or call the Washington State legislature hotline at 1-800-562-6000.