Rutigliano Votes to Help Returning Vets Transition Back to Civilian Life

HARTFORD – In a show of support for military veterans, State Representative Dave Rutigliano (R-125) voted on Monday for a bill that would eliminate fees for and apply military service as credit toward certain licenses and exams for discharged veterans entering the workforce.

H.B. 5299, An Act Concerning the Findings of the Military Occupational Specialty Task Force, requires various governmental entities to certify, waive, grant, or award certain licenses, registrations, examinations, training, or credit for veterans or service members with military experience or qualifications.

For example, the bill would require veterans to be certified as police officers and EMTs by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) and the Department of Public Health, respectively, as a result of their military training.

“When these men and women serve in the armed forces, they go through some of the most rigorous training you can imagine,” said Rep. Rutigliano, who co-sponsored the bill. “The least we can do for our returning veterans is acknowledge their service and expertise by recognizing that all of their training applies for civilian purposes as well.”

Under the bill, unless specifically noted, a veteran is anyone honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active service from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force and any of their reserve components.

The legislation would also waive operators’ license exams at the Department of Motor Vehicles and the apprentice requirement for certain occupations before sitting for licensing exams. Additionally, the legislation outlines conditions under which military service can be substituted for college credit.

“This bill will eliminate unnecessary barriers to employment for vets,” Rutigliano added. “There’s no reason they should struggle to return to civilian life with the valuable skills and training they received in the services.”