Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three bills (HB 429, HB 435,SB 922) in Ponte Vedra Beach on Friday to assist veterans and military families on issues related to education and employment.
According to the Governor’s office press release, the new laws will establish a “Purple Star Campus Program,” help transitioning servicemembers gain workforce training, and enhance veterans’ preference in hiring.
The Purple Star Campus Program (HB 429) will be established by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and will focus on helping students of military families better transition into schools. The Program will provide military liaisons to directly assist families, update schools’ websites to include military family resources, offer a student-led transition program, and expand staff training on issues specifically for military students. The law will also reserve open enrollment seats for military students regardless of when they transfer within the school year to make sure that school choice is available.
HB 435, known as Veterans Employment and Training, appoints Veterans Florida as the state’s leading Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge assistance organization. The organization is designed to inform servicemembers who are in the last 180 days in uniform of different SkillBridge apprenticeships, internships, and fellowships across Florida. This will give veterans access to valuable work experience in the civilian job force. While servicemembers utilize SkillBridge training, they will still receive their salary and benefits from the DOD.
The last bill signed by DeSantis, SB 922, allows eligible transitioning servicemembers in the hiring process to waive certain requirements for employment that involves education further than a high school diploma. For employers who use a numerical based selection process for hiring, the new law enhances the point preference for veterans and their family members so that it increases the likelihood of being hired.
DeSantis said in the press release, “In my time as Governor, we have worked hard to serve those who have served our country by making investments in military bases, schools around those bases, and programs that serve veterans and their families. Today, I’m proud to build on that legacy by signing three bills that continue to provide resources for military servicemembers, veterans, and their families.” He also added, “Florida is the most military-and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
All three laws will take effect beginning July 1st, 2021.
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Casey Owens is a contributing writer at The Florida Capital Star. Follow him on Twitter at @cowensreports. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Ron DeSantis signs bill” by Ron DeSantis.
