AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate passed a bill Thursday from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to help Maine veterans, service members and their families find employment.

LD 374, “An Act To Allow Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Their Spouses To Apply for Temporary Occupational Licenses and Certifications,” received unanimous, bipartisan support.

“Over 100,000 veterans live in Maine, as well as individuals currently serving and their families. Moving to Maine and getting a job should be easy and accessible, especially for those who have served our country,” said Sen. Curry. “It’s important to help ease the transition of moving to Maine and make it easier to get a job. This bill makes a simple adjustment to our laws to help veterans, service members, and their families come to Maine. I’m thankful to my colleagues for supporting this bill.”

LD 347 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, per a news release. 

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, the release stated. 

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

LD 374 now goes to the desk of Governor Janet Mills who has 10 days to sign the bill in to law, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.