HF 752 (LSB 2218HZ (1) 88)

HOUSE FILE 752

BY  COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

(SUCCESSOR TO HF 666)
(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 180)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to professional licensing, including by providing for a review of professional licenses and allowing for preapplication qualification reviews, and providing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 2.69, subsection 4, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0d.  Review and analyze approximately one-third of all professional licenses, certifications, and registrations available in the state during each two-year period, such that each license, certification, and registration shall be reviewed within six years. The committee may require the submission of information by the relevant licensing, certifying, or registering entities and other interested parties. The committee shall consider the direct and indirect costs, utility, and health and safety implications of requiring such licenses, certifications, and registrations. The committee shall include in the report required pursuant to paragraph “d” a recommendation regarding whether the legislature should enact legislation that:
   (a)  Repeals a professional license, certification, or registration.
   (b)  Converts an occupational license to a certification or registration, or converts a certification to a registration.
   (c)  Changes the requisite qualifications for a professional license, certification, or registration.
   (d)  Redefines the scope of practice of a professional license, certification, or registration.
   (e)  Reflects any other recommendation made by the committee.
    Sec. 2.  Section 2.69, subsection 4, paragraph d, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   d.  Issue a report, including its findings and recommendations, to the general assembly.  The general assembly shall vote on the adoption of each report.
    Sec. 3.  Section 84A.5, Code 2019, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  16.  Maintain a list on the internet site of the department of workforce development of each professional license, certification, and registration issued in the state and the requirements to receive each license, certification, or registration. The department of workforce development shall update the list as soon as practicable after the conclusion of each session of the general assembly.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  272C.13  Disqualifications for criminal convictions limited.
   An individual may petition a licensing board, in a form prescribed by the licensing authority, for a determination as to whether the individual’s criminal record will prevent the individual from receiving a license. The licensing board shall issue such determinations within thirty days of receipt. The licensing board may charge a fee to recoup the costs of such a determination, provided that such a fee shall not exceed twenty-five dollars.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to professional licensing in this state. The bill instructs the state government efficiency review committee to review and analyze approximately one-third of all professional licenses, certifications, and registrations issued in the state during each two-year period in which the committee must meet. The bill authorizes the committee to require the submission of information from the relevant licensing, certifying, and registering entities and other interested parties. The bill requires the committee to consider the direct and indirect costs, utility, and health and safety implications of requiring such licenses, certifications, and registrations. The committee is required to make recommendations regarding the reviewed licenses, certifications, and registrations in its statutorily mandated report. The bill requires the general assembly to vote on the adoption of each such report.
   The bill requires the department of workforce development to maintain on the internet site of the department a list of each professional license, certification, and registration issued in the state and the requirements to receive each license, certification, or registration. The bill directs the department to update the list as soon as practicable after the conclusion of each session of the general assembly.
   The bill also allows a person seeking to obtain a professional license to submit a petition to a licensing board for a determination as to whether that person’s criminal record will disqualify the person from receiving a license from the board. A licensing board must issue a determination within 30 days of receiving a petition and may charge a fee of up to $25 to recoup the costs of such a determination.