Bill Text: HI HR18 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Expressing support for the Troop Talent Act of 2013

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-02-27 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR18 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HR18-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	18
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Expressing the support of the Legislature of the State of Hawaii for the troop talent act of 2013.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, members of the United States Armed Forces are dedicated to protecting the many freedoms that we enjoy through discipline, hard work, and self-sacrifice; and

 

     WHEREAS, for many veterans the transition from military to civilian life is often a difficult one, which is evident in the higher unemployment rates experienced by post September 11th veterans; a rate that is currently 9.4 percent, which is greater than the national average which is 6.7 percent; and

 

     WHEREAS, even though many veterans leave the military with valuable skills and training, several obstacles such as injuries, lack of civilian work experience, and license and certification issues hamper a smooth transition from military to civilian life; and

 

     WHEREAS, H.R. 1796, or the Troop Talent Act of 2013, was created to ensure that veterans and members of the Armed Forces are provided with the proper education and training to better assist them in obtaining civilian certifications and licenses, as well as for other purposes to assist veterans in adjusting to civilian life; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 directs the Secretaries of the military departments, to the maximum extent practicable, to make information on civilian credentialing opportunities available to members of the Armed Forces beginning with, and at every stage of, their training for military occupational specialties in order to permit such members to:

 

     (1)  Evaluate the extent to which such training correlates with skills and training required for various civilian certifications and licenses; and

(2)  Assess the suitability of such training for obtaining or pursuing such civilian certifications and licenses; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 also requires the information be made available to members of the Armed Services to be consistent with the Transition Goals Plans Success Program; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 also requires the inclusion of information on:

 

(1)  The civilian occupational equivalents of military occupational specialties;

 

(2)  Civilian license or certification requirements, including examination requirements; and

 

(3)  The availability and opportunities for use of educational benefits available to members of the Armed Forces, as appropriate, corresponding training, or continuing education that leads to a certification exam in order to provide a pathway to credentialing opportunities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 requires the Secretaries of the military departments to make available to civilian credentialing agencies, specified information on the content of military training provided to members of the Armed Services; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 allows members of the Armed Services or veterans in pursuit of a civilian certification or license to use educational assistance provided through the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs only if the successful completion of a curriculum fully qualifies the student to take the appropriate examinations and be certified or licensed to meet any other academic conditions required for entry into that occupation or profession; and

WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 requires the military occupational specialties designated for a military skills to civilian credentialing pilot program under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to include those specialties relating to the military information technology workforce; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Troop Talent Act of 2013 directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reestablish the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee which was terminated on December 31, 2006, and provides the Committee with additional duties, including the development of:

 

(1)  Guidance for audits of licensure and certification programs in order to ensure high-quality education to members of the Armed Services and veterans; and

 

(2)  A plan to improve outreach to members of the Armed Services and veterans on the importance of licensing and certification and the availability of educational benefits; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that this body supports the Troop Talent Act of 2013 along with its passage; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Expressing support for the Troop Talent Act of 2013