On June 7, the Wisconsin State Assembly Passed AB 202, AB 204,and AB 205, three bills supported by WHA and introduced by the Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licensure to improve the licensure process for health care professionals.
Assembly Bill 202 would give the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) more latitude to complete legal reviews without having to investigate minor or isolated offenses that are not substantially related to the licensed activity of one's license. Additionally, it would allow DSPS to accept an employer's attestation that it has conducted its own investigation and determined the prospective employee does not have an arrest, conviction, or other offense substantially related to the license he or she has applied for. DSPS would have 30 days to either accept, reject, or ask for more information on the employer's determination. See this prior edition of the Valued Voice for more information on this proposal.
Assembly Bill 204 would extend renewal timeframes for health care and business professions from two to four years. This legislation is intended to ease the renewal burden on providers while also giving DSPS the flexibility to determine when renewals will occur and better load-level the work of the department, allowing the department to break down current bottlenecks.
Assembly Bill 205 would add certain health-related professions that were either not included in the original bill or have become licensed occupations since then including: genetic counselors, dental hygienists, expanded function dental auxiliaries, and naturopathic doctors. See this prior edition of the Valued Voice for more information on both these proposals.
All three bills passed on a party-line vote. The bills now head to the Senate, which has already scheduled committee votes on a number of these same bills. Contact WHA's VP Federal and State Relations Jon Hoelter with questions.