Waiver of initial licensing fees for certain individuals; definitions

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Initial" means obtaining a license in West Virginia for the occupation sought for the first time; (2) "Low-income individuals" means individuals in the local labor market as defined in §21-1C-2 of this code whose household adjusted gross income is below 130 percent of the federal poverty line. This term also includes any person enrolled in a state or federal public assistance program including, but not limited to, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, Medicaid, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and (3) "Military families" means any person who serves as an active member of the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or a reserve component as described in 38 U.S.C. §101, honorably discharged veterans of those forces, and their spouses. This term also includes surviving spouses of deceased service members who have not remarried. (b) Each board or licensing authority referred to in this chapter shall waive all initial occupational licensing fees for the following classes of individuals: (1) Low-income individuals; and (2) Military families. (c) Individuals seeking a waiver of initial occupational licensing fees must apply to the appropriate board or licensing authority in a format prescribed by the board or licensing authority. The board or licensing authority shall process the application within 30 days of receiving it from the applicant. (d) The board or licensing authority may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code to implement the provisions of this section.