House approves Rep. Joe Taylor’s bill waiving license fees for veterans, Hoosiers in need

INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana House passed legislation on Monday (Feb. 27) coauthored by State Representative Joe Taylor (D-South Bend) that seeks to remove the occupational and professional license fees for military personnel and Hoosiers in need.

House Bill 1394 states that in order to have those fees waived, you must be a veteran or a soldier in active duty within the military or National Guard.

Hoosiers can also apply to have 50 percent of these fees removed if the applicant’s family has a gross combined annual income not exceeding 120 to 185 percent of the federal poverty level or if enrolled in a state or federal public assistance program.

The occupational and professional licenses included under this bill are dentistry, engineering, home inspectors, surveyors, cosmetology, gaming industry, real estate, pharmacy, and various others.

“This legislation will offer a helping hand to those who need it the most and provide those who serve our country a well-deserved benefit,” said Taylor.

On February 21, members of the Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1384.

This legislation was also passed by members of the Indiana House with a vote of 93 to 0. It will now move to the Senate for further review.