CLEAR

Update: Illinois to allow resubmission of marijuana dispensary applications

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced that it will be accepting amended applications for marijuana dispensary licenses, with applicants receiving information about which sections of their application were denied points. IDFPR has assured that they will provide strong oversight of the rescoring process as conducted by the outside auditing form that conducted the first round of scoring.

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Delaware integrates prescription monitoring program with electronic health records

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation has announced that electronic health records and pharmacy management systems can now be integrated with the state's prescription monitoring program. All fees associated with the integration service will be covered by the Division. The goal of the integration is to "improve [the] PMP’s efficacy to help mitigate the opioid epidemic in [Delaware] communities."

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Philippines: web-based queue management system

The Professional Regulation Commission in the Philippines has piloted a web-based queue management system for clients needing PRC services at frontline offices. The PRC considers the newly-developed system "a testament to the Commission’s thrust to continuously enhance its online services to respond to the needs of the ‘new normal’ and serve the public in the most convenient and efficient manner.”

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New South Wales Design and Building Practitioners Act

The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 was passed in June in New South Wales, with most provisions to become effective in July 2021. Among the changes are the establishment of a statutory duty of care; a requirement for registered building practitioners to provide building compliance declarations; and establishment of registration for designers, engineers, and builders.

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College of Nurses of Ontario experiences cybersecurity incident

The College of Nurses of Ontario has experienced a cybersecurity issue, with hackers indicating that they have access to CNO files and threatening to publish it. The College is "seeking to determine whether personal information was compromised as a result of the incident." A cybersecurity firm has been hired to assist with remediation and forensic investigation. The license verification look-up system and the online license application are currently unavailable.

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UK: NMC analysis of COVID-19 temporary register

The Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK has analyzed data and survey responses of those on the temporary register created in March 2020 allowing former of internationally-trained nursing and midwifery professionals to practice. Over 14,000 people were n the temporary register, and analysis indicates that almost half would consider re-joining the permanent register. The NMC is considering how to sustain the needed number of nursing and midwifery professionals.

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Massachusetts bill seeks changes to auto damage appraiser licensing

A bill under consideration in the Massachusetts Senate would move the Auto Damage Appraiser Licensing Board from under the Division of Insurance to under the Division of Professional Licensure. The bill would also increase the size of the Board by two members to be appointed by the Attorney General. A new Board chairperson would be appointed by the Commissioner of the Division of Professional Licensure.

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Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act introduced in Congress

The Military Spouse Licensing relief Act introduced in the US Congress would require states to recognize occupational licenses from other states for spouses of military service members who get transferred across state lines on a permanent change of station order. The license must be in good standing in the home state, and the applicants must comply with standards of practice and continuing education requirements in the new state. Many states have already individually enacted legislation offering some form of reciprocity or expedited licensing for military spouses.

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Update: Illinois regulator to review questions about cannabis dispensary license process

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will review the questions raised about the licensing process for cannabis dispensaries before moving forward with a license lottery.

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Michigan: criminal record bills advance

Bills have passed in the Michigan House that would prohibit licensing boards from considering prior criminal convictions as the basis for license denial unless it directly relates to the profession. The new law would not apply to child care providers, lawyers, law enforcement officers, or nursing home employees.

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