Governor Matt Bevin ceremonially signed eight military- and veteran-focused bills Monday in an effort to improve the quality of life for Veterans and provide more economic opportunities for all members of the military and their families. The bills, passed by the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly, address licensing reciprocity and hiring for military spouses, the nursing shortage at veteran centers, and education opportunities for military children.
Governor Bevin said it was an honor for him to ceremonially sign the eight important pieces of recently enacted military-focused legislation. He added our military personnel and their families make tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation, and they celebrate these new laws that will positively impact their lives. Bevin said they are grateful to their legislative partners who are working alongside his administration to make Kentucky the most military-friendly state in America.
The bills signed by the governor at the ceremony include:
SB 55: Adds a veterans-at-risk “Green Alert” to the “Golden Alert” system
HB 243: Requires Kentucky State Police to provide personal protection to Kentucky Medal of Honor recipients at public events and ceremonies
HB 296: Creates a student loan repayment program for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who will be employed by the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
HB 316: Allows service members who receive official orders requiring relocation to terminate or suspend select services without penalty or fee
HB 323: Grants occupational license reciprocity to members of the reserve, National Guard, veterans, and their spouses.
HB 338: Gives interview preference for state jobs to service members and their families
HB 356: Allows service members, spouses, and dependents to maintain residency status after being accepted or enrolled in a Kentucky public postsecondary institution, if the service member receives official orders to relocate
HB 399: Allows military families moving into the state on official orders to pre-enroll their children in a school district before obtaining an address
