HB 488 Summary

• Requires state institutions of higher education to award college credit for military training, experience, and coursework, with standards and procedures to be developed by December 31, 2014, and implemented by July 1, 2015.

• Increases criminal penalties for theft, deception, and identity fraud offenses when the victim is an active duty service member or spouse of an active duty service member, treating them as crimes against a "protected class" with enhanced felony levels.

• Creates a civil cause of action for victims of identity fraud under divisions (B), (D), or (E) of section 2913.49, allowing recovery of up to $5,000 per violation or three times actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees, with a five-year statute of limitations.

• Establishes requirements for state institutions of higher education to designate veterans affairs contact persons, provide priority course registration for veterans and service members, establish appeals procedures for military credit disputes, and waive evaluation fees for military experience credit by December 31, 2014.

• Provides veterans and service members with licensing benefits including fee waivers for pharmacy licensure, expedited processing of license applications, continuing education extensions for active duty service, and allows employers to adopt voluntary veterans' preference employment policies.