CLEAR

Saskatchewan: regulatory body curtailed free speech

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal has ruled that the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) did not have the authority to discipline one of its members for his anti-abortion activities engaged in during his personal time. SALPN argued that the registrant had "besmirched his profession's reputation," but the court wrote “There is no evidence that any member of the public thinks, or will think, less of nurses because of Mr. Whatcott’s behaviour.” SALPN may pursue an appeal. Read more.

Washington: certified counselors may replace registrants

The Olympian reports that Washington has 18,000 registrants who have paid a $40 fee and completed four hours of HIV/AIDS education in order to be known as registered counselors. Currently proposed legislation would abolish that designation and establish instead the certified counselor credential with examination, supervisory, and expanded educational requirements.

Washington: sunrise review on speech language pathology assistants

The Washington State Department of Health has published a draft Speech Language Pathology Assistant Sunrise Review. The findings include that there is a growing shortage of speech-language pathologists and that 35 states now regulate speech-language pathology assistants or other support personnel. The recommendation is for regulation of speech language pathology assistants, but by certification, rather than the requested licensure.

Washington: sunrise review on colon hydrotherapists

The Washington State Department of Health has published a draft Colon Hydrotherapist Sunrise Review. The applicant was the International Association for Colon Hydrotherapy, which requested that colon hydrotherapists be recognized as a new profession and practitioners permitted to practice independently. The review says that no state licenses colon hydrotherapists, although Florida permits licensed massage therapists to obtain certification in colonic irrigation. Under current Washington law, colon hydrotherapy is within the scope of practice for naturopaths, physicians, and osteopathic physicians. The finding is that the public is already protected by current state laws and further, that to introduce regulation of  a single medical procedure would be inefficient and not cost-effective.

AVMA: vet assistant duties, medical records

A listing of state laws pertaining to the regulation of veterinary assistants is available from the State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). A new listing of state provisions regarding veterinary medical records retention and a legislative update are also available.

UK: Risk and Regulatory Advisory Council appointed

As the next step in a reform project initiated early in his term, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced the appointment of a new Risk and Regulatory Advisory Council (RRAC). The focus remains on reforming regulation by understanding and improving the intersection of policy-making with risk to the public. Four areas will be selected for initial examination. It is anticipated that the results of this early work may provide a useful model for improvement in all regulatory areas. The establishment of the RRAC follows a recommendation of Public Risk – the Next Frontier for Better Regulation, which was prepared by the Better Regulation Commission upon request of the Prime Minister. The RRAC will report to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

US: DHS releases REAL ID standards

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released Minimum Standards for Drivers Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes: Final Rule. The rule says that three organizations "noted that State transactions, such as the issuance of professional/occupational licenses (for example, licensing for doctors, lawyers, nurses, real estate brokers) and hunting and fishing licenses,could be done with a higher level of assurance that the license is being given to the right person." DHS responded that it "is not preventing the use of REAL ID in State transactions and the individual who is having the document presented to him can place any level of trust he/she wants in the REAL ID document." Read more.

Colorado: sunrise review on Closing Agents

2008 Sunrise Review: Closing Agents is now available from The Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform. Closing Agents handle administrative functions related to the legal transfer of title and real property ownership from seller to buyer. The report notes that existing federal and state laws protect consumers from real estate transaction harm. Requirement of a surety bond is the most common form of regulation among the 19 states that oversee closing agents. It is recommended that the General Assembly impose a bond requirement on Closing Agents or liability on title companies for the actions of their contracted Closing Agents. Read the report.

Ontario: university-based centre for dental CE

A university-based Centre for Continuing Dental Education is now open at the University of Toronto. The state-of-the-art centre offers programming for all dental professionals, including hygienists, assistants and technologists. It is the first such facility in Canada. Read more.

ASHI: home inspector laws graded

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) has published its latest Position Statement on Regulation of Home Inspectors. An panel of ASHI experts has graded and ranked state laws currently governing home inspectors. The experts looked for inclusion of defined standards of practice, a code of ethics, experience and continuing education requirements, and the use of a psychometrically valid examination. Read the position statement.