AUGUSTA — A bill from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to ease the transition into the workforce for veterans was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills.

LD 374, “An Act To Allow Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses To Apply for Temporary Occupational Licenses” will help Maine veterans, service members, and their families find employment.

“Veterans, active-duty members and their families have given so much to our country,” said Sen. Curry. “Yet, we place unnecessary burdens upon military families. Military families, especially military spouses, make sacrifices for our nation, and their careers should not be one of them. Not only will this bill aid our military families, but it will help grow our workforce. LD 374 would make Maine friendlier to our current active-duty military, their families and our veteran population. I appreciate the support of my colleagues to get this bill to the finish line and Gov. Mills for signing it into law.”

LD 374 would allow for the provision of a temporary license or certification in Maine by an occupational or professional licensing board for veterans, active-duty members, or spouses and domestic partners of active-duty members in the United States Armed Forces.

This would be applicable for individuals who held an occupational or professional license issued elsewhere in the United States.

LD 347 cuts back on some of the bureaucracy by giving veterans, service members and their families the opportunity to work right away while earning Maine’s occupational license or certificate, instead of waiting until they have completed the process.

“Veterans, service members and their families are incredible pillars of our communities. I’m grateful to my colleague, Sen. Curry, for bringing this bill forward, which will make it easier to find rewarding, good-paying jobs, here in Maine,” said Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, who sponsored a similar bill to help veterans in Maine.

LD 374 will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.