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Georgia Professional Licensing Boards Face $3M Settlement for SCRA Violations
The Georgia Professional Licensing Boards have agreed to pay $3 million in compensation to servicemembers and military spouses whose applications for licensure were improperly denied or delayed. This settlement marks the first of its kind and is a result of an investigation led by the Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Middle District of Georgia and the Southern District of Georgia.
According to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division, members of the military and their families make great sacrifices for their country. They should not have to sacrifice their professional careers or financial well-being because of military relocation. This settlement ensures that servicemembers and their spouses stationed in Georgia can have their out-of-state licenses recognized without facing unnecessary hurdles.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that the agreement allows servicemembers and their spouses to focus on what is most important when military service sends them to Georgia. Federal law requires every state to recognize hard-earned professional licenses when our warfighters must uproot their families in service to our country. This settlement ensures that servicemembers and military spouses can work in their chosen and trained professions free from bureaucratic hurdles, unnecessary costs, and burdensome waits.
U.S. Attorney William R. ‘Will’ Keyes of the Middle District of Georgia noted that as a U.S. Army veteran and reservist, it is a particular honor to announce that our servicemembers are guaranteed the full protections of the SCRA. He expressed gratitude for the strong partnership with state officials in reaching this resolution.
U.S. Attorney Margaret ‘Meg’ Heap of the Southern District of Georgia added that this settlement will provide monetary relief to military spouses whose professional employment opportunities have been limited because of the state of Georgia’s unnecessary delays and red tape. More importantly, this settlement clears a path now and in the future for military spouses to pursue continued employment when they move with their servicemember to our community.
As a result of the settlement, the Georgia Professional Licensing Boards will adopt new policies that comply with the SCRA and provide a streamlined application process for servicemembers and military spouses who are already licensed in another state. The investigation uncovered multiple complaints from servicemembers and military spouses regarding the Georgia Boards’ previous refusal to recognize out-of-state professional licenses.
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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