Valued Voice

The Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licenses held its fifth and final hearing on Dec. 13. The committee, which is comprised of four legislators and five members of the public, including WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice Ann Zenk, was tasked with reviewing and improving the licensure process in Wisconsin.
 
At previous hearings in August, September, October, and November, the committee focused on how the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) processes licenses and potential reforms the committee could pursue, including those proposed in WHA’s July 29 memo to the study committee, and other proposals such as sunrise and sunset review laws that aim to scrutinize the reason for beginning new or maintaining existing state licensure of certain professions. The committee also heard from several associations and individuals about the impact delays in licensure were having on their professions and ability to serve the public.


Members of the Wisconsin Legislative Council Study Committee, including WHA’s Ann Zenk (far right), deliberate on legislation to be recommended for introduction in the state Legislature.

At this final hearing, committee members read through summaries and discussed details of 14 separate bill drafts to make various reforms to improve the licensure process in Wisconsin. Ultimately, the committee decided to recommend a number of those bill drafts be introduced for consideration in the upcoming 2023-2024 session of the Wisconsin Legislature. Included in the slate of bills recommended for introduction were three suggested by WHA:
 

• LRB-0363/P5, relating to investigations of conviction records by DSPS for purposes of determining eligibility for credentials. - This legislation would greatly reduce delays that occur because of unnecessary legal reviews for license seekers with minor past offenses.
• LRB-0364/P3, relating to renewals of certain credentials. - This legislation would extend renewal periods for health care licenses regulated by DSPS from two to four years.
• LRB-0401/P3, relating to practice of certain professions by credential holders from other states. - This legislation includes health care professions such as dental hygienists and radiographers in the list of professions eligible to seek a 2021 Act 10 expedited licensure if they are licensed and in good standing from another state.

WHA will continue working with the Legislature and Evers administration on all of these bill drafts to see them introduced for prompt consideration in the upcoming 2023-2024 Wisconsin legislative session.
 
Contact Ann Zenk or WHA Vice President of Federal and State Relations Jon Hoelter with questions.