A bill passed in the South Carolina House and under consideration in the Senate would allow Deferred Action to Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students to apply for professional licensure if they are lawfully present and have a valid federal work permit. The bill would also apply to survivors of sex trafficking.
April 14, 2021
Maine considers open air cremation bill
A bill under consideration in Maine would allow crematoriums to perform open air cremations. Such cremations would have to be performed in a three-sided crematory structure with specific requirements related to heat. The Maine Department of Business and Professional Regulation cautioned that rule development related to such facilities could be costly due to the need to bring in outside expertise.
April 07, 2021
Wisconsin bill redefines barbering to exclude braiding
A bill under consideration in Wisconsin would amend the state's barbering law to exclude "twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking, crocheting, or braiding hair" from the definition of barbering. The bill would allow natural hair braiders to practice without the requirement of a cosmetology or barbering license. Thirty other states already exempt hair braiders from cosmetology license requirements.
Tennessee bill adjusts teacher evaluation score requirements to waive exams
Out-of-state teachers coming to Tennessee and obtaining a temporary license can be exempted from re-taking licensure exams in Tennessee if they earn high scores in classroom evaluations during their first two years teaching in Tennessee. In 2020, classroom evaluation scores were invalidated when schools were closed during the pandemic. The new bill would adjust the requirement and allow the state to accept the most recent evaluation score if one of the two past years did not count or was not evaluated.
Iowa considers greater scrutiny of regulation proposals
SF 487 under consideration by legislative committees in Iowa would require the legislature to review any new or expanded proposals to regulate a profession under the lens of "least restrictive" regulations. Regulation of new professions would only be approved for "the exclusive purpose of protecting the public health or safety" under these conditions: evidence that the unregulated practice of the profession will clearly harm or endanger the public, the public needs and would benefit from an assurance of professional ability, and the public cannot be protected by other means. A detailed written report demonstrating the necessity of regulation would be required. The bill would also increase the frequency of meetings of the government efficiency review committee from every two years to monthly, as necessary to review the usefulness, performance and efficacy of each current regulatory board.
