Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing bipartisan legislation to expand economic opportunity for military spouses.
Today, Sens. Ossoff and Eric Schmitt (R-MO) introduced the bipartisan Military Spouse Job Continuity Act to permanently authorize reimbursements for military spouses who are forced to pay fees for the transfer of a professional license or certification due to a Permanent Change of Station.
The bill would authorize reimbursements of up to $1,000 to help relocating military spouses with fees associated with updating their professional certification as they search for or begin a new job during their change of station.
The reimbursement would help alleviate financial strain associated with a new professional license or certification for work that military spouses already have experience in.
“Military families make tremendous sacrifices in defense of our nation, and difficulty keeping their jobs when transferring duty stations should not be one of them,” Sen. Ossoff said. “Senator Schmitt and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to expand economic opportunity for military spouses who heroically serve our nation.”
“Service members have dedicated their lives to our country – we should continue to find ways to make their lives easier. I’m proud to lead with Senator Ossoff on a bill that does just that. Military spouses should not be required to shoulder the cost of fees and other charges related to professional licensing or certification when moving between duty stations. These are small, easy ways that we can provide important quality of life changes, which in turn will help with recruitment and retention,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA-08) previously introduced the companion bill in the House, which became law in 2023 and extended the reimbursement authorization for 5 years. Now, Sens. Ossoff and Schmitt’s bipartisan companion aims to permanently authorize it.
“Our service members and their families make sacrifices for our country every day, and we have a responsibility to deliver the benefits and compensation they deserve,” said Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08), whose House companion bill passed into law in 2023, extending the $1,000 reimbursement for five years. “I applaud and appreciate the bipartisan legislation being introduced today by Senators Ossoff and Schmitt to permanently authorize these reimbursements. When we support servicemembers and their families, we’re investing in America’s national security.”
According to the DoD, nearly 39% of military spouses require a professional license for their jobs and can face unemployment each time they move.
Last year, Sens. Ossoff and Schmitt passed into law their bipartisan Military Spouse Career Support Act of 2023 through the NDAA to support military spouses’ careers by expanding the reimbursement of licensure and business costs to spouses of servicemembers who are transferring to the reserve component.
In 2022 Sen. Ossoff passed into law his bipartisan Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act to make job opportunities more flexible for military spouses by requiring states to recognize the professional licenses of military spouses from other states when their family’s station changes.
Click here to read the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act.
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