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Leadership changes announced at Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Charlie Liem has been appointed Interim Secretary of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) following a series of personnel changes by Governor Charlie Crist. The previous Secretary, Charles “Chuck” Drago, Deputy Chief of Staff will become Governor Crist's Deputy Chief of Staff.

Mr. Liem has extensive experience in state government and is familiar with DBPR where he has served as chief of staff since January 2007. Previous experience includes service in the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, legislative staff experience in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate.

The appointments are effective beginning November 30, 2009.

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Florida AG calls for tougher licensing restrictions on felons

Bill McCollum, Florida's Attorney General, called for greater restrictions on felons' ability to become licensed for jobs that involve children, seniors and disabled people. He proposed changes to a law that permits licenses to be granted to felons except for crimes directly related to those jobs. Further proposals included an increase (to five years from the end of the prison term or completion of probation) to the three-year waiting period before felons can apply for a license, which currently begins from the time the crime was committed.

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England to move to graduate level entry for nursing from 2013

Entry to practice requirements for nursing in England will change from 2013 onwards, when new nurses will be required to hold a degree. The move was recommended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the nursing regulator, in recognition of greater responsibilities assumed by the profession and the consequent need for improved clinical knowledge.

Dickon Weir-Hughes, the NMC's Chief Executive and Registrar stated, "Raising the minimum level of education programs to degree is essential in ensuring that future nursing students are fully prepared to undertake the new roles and responsibilities that will be expected of them."

The proposed new standards will be finalized by fall 2010, and the first new academic programs will begin one year later.

England's General Social Care Council criticised for misconduct investigations

The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence (CHRE) has criticized the failure of England's General Social Care Council (which regulates social workers) to undertake misconduct investigations because of financial pressures. “Decisions affecting the progress of cases have not always been taken on a public protection basis" according to the report. “At times, cases have not been referred to the conduct committee or for an interim suspension order for financial reasons.”

It criticized the GSCC for not having a fully functioning case management system, making it “virtually impossible” for caseloads to be efficiently managed and staff’s performance to be monitored.

CHRE report.

Response from the General Social Care Council.

Wisconsin moves closer to regulating mixed martial arts

The Wisconsin Senate has approved a bill to regulate mixed martial arts fights with a vote of 32-0.  Proposed regulations would require fights to be overseen by a licensed referee and four licensed judges. A doctor and an ambulance would also need to be present, while fighters must have proof of health insurance.

Promoters  would face an annual $500 fee together with a nonrefundable $300 fee per application per event. Event and gate fees would be capped at a maximum of $12,500. The legislation will now be considered by the Wisconsin Assembly.

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New Zealand introduces new regulatory regime for auditors

The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants will be required to regulate auditors as a specialist profession rather than as chartered accountants, in plans announced by the government. Oversight of the process will be provided by The Accounting Standards Review Board, which will have monitoring and reporting authority, together with an option to direct that the Institute addresses any shortcomings in the way it regulates.

Existing arrangements allow a chartered accountant with a Certificate of Public Practice to conduct an audit without restriction. The new regulatory arrangements are likely to come into effect in 2012.

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WMA President: "45 percent of physicians in advanced state of burnout"

Dr. Dana Hanson, president of the World Medical Association, suggested today that45 per cent of physicians are in an advanced state of burn out, and that the figure for developing countries is even higher.  In remarks to the The Global Forum of Health Leaders conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Hanson called for governments and the profession to work harder to remove the stigma of stress and address the pressures on physicians.

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Massachusetts: lawmakers considering regulation of mixed martial arts

The Massachusetts Senate and House have voted in favor of legalizing and regulating ultimate fighting, or mixed martial arts. The bill would expand the state Boxing Commission by adding a specialist in mixed martial arts. The Commission would license and regulate fighters and promoters. The sport is currently regulated in 37 states.

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EU: compliance with Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications

The European Commission will send letters of formal notice to Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom regarding their failure to notify the Commission of measures they have taken to comply with the Directive on recognition of professional qualifications.  The Directive simplifies the structure of the system of recognition of professional qualifications in order to facilitate professional mobility. A fine could be imposed on these members states.

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Illinois: regulation changes proposed for cemetary workers

Proposed legislation in Illinois would require background checks, licensing and registration for cemetary owners and some types of cemetary employees. The legislation was put forth after a cemetary scandal involving the desecration of as many as 300 graves.

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