CLEAR

Massachusetts introduces bill for telehealth and scope of practice expansion

The Patients First Act introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature would make telehealth services permanently available to patients by requiring insurance carriers to cover services, including services through audio-only telephone calls. The bill would also expand the scope of practice of registered nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and psychiatric nurse mental health specialists to allow independent practice if training and initial supervision requirements are met. A new license would also be created for "dental therapists."

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Pennsylvania approves criminal record reform

A bill passed in Pennsylvania changes what licensing boards are allowed to consider about criminal convictions, requiring that a past criminal conviction does not automatically result in denial of licensure. To be considered as a basis for license denial, the conviction must be directly related to the duties required of the profession in which licensure is being sought.

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Calls for regulation of art restorers

The Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators in Spain is raising concern about the lack of regulation in the art and heritage restoration industry. They mention two cases that received media attention related to art restoration work that was "botched." With an interest in preserving Spain's cultural history, representatives note the "need to make sure that the people who undertake this kind of work have been trained in it."

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Iowa passes license reciprocity bill

HF 2627 passed in Iowa will allow new Iowa residents with an out-of-state professional license to obtain a similar license in Iowa without examination requirements if their out-of-state license is in good standing; they have been licensed for at least one year; they have met education, training and exam requirements in the other state; and they have not been disciplined or have unresolved complaints against them in the other state. The bill also states that for licensure denial based on criminal conviction, the conviction must be directly related to the duties of the profession. The bill also waives initial licensure fees for individuals with family income below 200% of federal poverty level.

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North Carolina bill for expedited military and spouse licensure

A bill passed in the North Carolina Senate and under consideration in the House will require a seven-day or less processing time for licensure applications from military trained personnel and military spouses. Transparency of the licensure process will also be improved, with occupational licensing information posted on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website. Licensing boards will be required to submit an annual report to the General Assembly with statistics on licensure and denials.

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Australia eliminates duplicate registration for mitgration advice lawyers

New legislation in Australia removes the dual requirement for legal practitioners working as migration advice lawyers to be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority in addition to their state legal practice board. Over 2,200 legal practitioners provide immigration assistance.

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California law on criminal convictions takes effect

AB-2138 will take effect in California on July 1, 2020. The reforms change how an individual's criminal history can affect their application for professional licensure. The Department of Consumer Affairs will no longer be able to consider most criminal convictions older than seven years as the basis for licensure denial. In order to be considered, a criminal conviction must be "substantially related" to the qualifications of the profession. Licensure applicants will no longer be required to self-disclose prior convictions if the license application already requires a fingerprint background check.

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PA Governor: ending emergency declaration would affect license renewal requirements

As the Pennsylvania General Assembly considers ending the disaster declaration, the Governor has outlined the impact in several areas, including that license renewal and training requirement suspensions for licensed professionals would end. Such professionals would need to cease working until credentials could be renewed or training requirements completed. Telehealth services provided by out-of-state providers would also end.

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Law Society of Ontario: motion to ease remote work restrictions

A motion to be considered at the Law Society of Ontario's annual general meeting in August calls for a continuation of digital filing and hearing techniques put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion specifically asks to allow documents to be served by email, allow electronic filing of court documents, and allow lawyers to appear by phone or video for court proceedings.

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Arizona: calls for licensure of home care agencies

The Arizona In-Home Care Association and the Home Care Association of America are calling for the establishment of licensure requirements for home care agencies and nonmedical home care providers. Thirty states already have licensure requirements for home care agencies, but Arizona is not one of them.

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