PHOENIX – Arizona’s servicemen and servicewomen shouldn’t have to worry about losing their livelihoods at home when they are serving the country, a state senator says.

Sen. Jim Waring, R-Phoenix, has proposed a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would protect members of the Arizona National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves from losing professional licenses while on deployment.

“We’re trying to make sure there are less injuries to the professional and private lives of soldiers,” Waring said.

Professional licenses are required for many jobs, ranging from a barber’s license to an emergency medical technician’s license.

Under SB 1006, professional licenses that normally would expire while a National Guard member or reservist is on federal active duty would be extended for 180 days after he or she returns. While service members would be responsible for renewal costs, they would not face any late fees in that grace period. State law currently offers such protections to U.S. armed forces members who are deployed abroad.

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