Sept. 16 is a landmark day for Ohio’s approximately 900,000 veterans of military service. On that day, House Bill 488 takes effect, bringing new levels of valuable support to veterans and their family members who enroll in Ohio’s public colleges and universities.

Unanimously approved by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law this past June by Gov. John Kasich, HB 488 will improve veterans’ and service members’ access to higher education and transition to employment.

The legislation standardizes procedures for granting academic credit for military training and experience, while also streamlining and expediting the path to professional licenses and occupational certificates for veterans.

The bill also requires our universities to provide high-quality academic and career counseling for veterans. Additionally, no veteran will ever have to pay for military-training credits he or she is awarded.

These are just some of HB 488’s many veteran-friendly provisions.

Ohio’s public universities already provide many services and support to veterans. This new law will help bring uniformity and predictability to the system.

HB 488 recognizes veterans for who they are: skilled, valuable members of Ohio’s workforce. When fully implemented, the bill will strengthen Ohio’s position as a place our veterans and service members can be proud to call home.

 

Bruce Johnson

President, Inter-University Council of Ohio