Read first time 01/17/12.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to military spouses or registered domestic partners occupational licensing status during deployment or placement outside Washington state; and amending RCW 43.24.130 and 43.70.270.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 43.24.130 and 1979 c 158 s 103 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the license of any person licensed by the director of licensing, or the boards and commissions listed in chapter 18.235 RCW, to practice a profession or engage in an occupation, if valid and in force and effect at the time the licensee entered service in the armed forces, the United States public health service commissioned corps, or the merchant marine of the United States, shall continue in full force and effect so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The director, board, or commission shall renew the license of every such person who applies for renewal thereof within six months after being honorably discharged from service upon payment of the renewal fee applicable to the then current year or other license period.
     (2) If requested by the licensee, the license of a spouse or registered domestic partner of a servicemember in the United States armed forces, including the United States public health service commissioned corps, if valid and in force and effect at the time the servicemember is deployed or stationed in a location outside Washington state, must be placed in inactive military spouse or registered domestic partner status so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The director, board, or commission shall return to active status the license of every such person who applies for activation within six months after returning to Washington state, upon payment of the current renewal fee and meeting the current renewal conditions of the respective license.
     (3) The director, board, or commission may adopt any rules necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.70.270 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 321 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the license of any person licensed by the secretary of health to practice a profession or engage in an occupation, if valid and in force and effect at the time the licensee entered service in the armed forces, the United States public health service commissioned corps, or the merchant marine of the United States, shall continue in full force and effect so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The secretary shall renew the license of every such person who applies for renewal thereof within six months after being honorably discharged from service upon payment of the renewal fee applicable to the then current year or other license period.
     (2) If requested by the licensee, the license of a spouse or registered domestic partner of a servicemember in the United States armed forces, including the United States public health service commissioned corps, if valid and in force and effect at the time the servicemember is deployed or stationed in a location outside Washington state, must be placed in inactive military spouse or registered domestic partner status so long as such service continues, unless sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for cause as provided by law. The secretary shall return to active status the license of every such person who applies for renewal thereof within six months after the servicemember is honorably discharged from service, or sooner if requested by the licensee, upon payment of the renewal fee applicable to the then current year or other license period.
     (3) The secretary may adopt any rules necessary to implement this section.