SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5359

As of February 3, 2017

Title: An act relating to requiring annual reporting on the implementation of laws to streamline licensing processes for military service members and their spouses.

Brief Description: Requiring annual reporting on the implementation of laws to streamline licensing processes for military service members and their spouses.

Sponsors: Senators Conway, Zeiger, Bailey, Rolfes, Hobbs and Kuderer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: State Government: 2/03/17.

Staff: Samuel Brown (786-7470)

Background: In 2011, the Legislature passed three bills modifying professional licensing procedures for military spouses and veterans.

Use of Military Training or Experience. Two bills authorize the use of military training and experience in certain Department of Licensing (DOL)- and Department of Health (DOH)-regulated professions. Military training or experience satisfies training and experience requirements to obtain certain professional licenses unless DOL or DOH determines that the applicant's specific training is not substantially equivalent to state standards.

DOL-regulated professions subject to this provisions are architects, cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, engineers, land surveyors, security guards, auctioneers, embalmers and funeral directors, real estate brokers and managing brokers, landscape architects, appraisers, court reporters, private investigators, bail bond agents, on-site wastewater treatment system designers, geologists, home inspectors, body piercing and tattooing licensees, camping resort salespersons, notaries public, driver training school instructors, timeshare salespersons, and professional athletic licensees.

DOH-regulated professions subject to this provision are dispensing opticians, ocularists, osteopathic physician assistants, pharmacy assistants, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians, physical therapists, radiologic technologists, nursing assistants, respiratory care practitioners, health care assistants, surgical technologists, dental assistants, and denturists.

Expedited Licensing for Military Spouses. A third bill requires each professional authority responsible for licensing, certifying, registering, or issuing a permit to perform a professional service in this state to establish procedures to expedite the issuance of a license, certificate, or permit to a person:

• who is certified or licensed in another state to perform professional services in that state;

• whose spouse is the subject of a military transfer to Washington; and

• who left employment in the other state to accompany the person's spouse to Washington.

The procedure must include a process for issuing the person a license, certificate, registration, or permit, if, in the opinion of the regulating authority, the requirements for licensing in the other state are substantially equivalent to that required in Washington.

Each professional authority must develop a method to authorize a person who meets the established criteria to receive a temporary license. The temporary license allows the person to perform services regulated by the authority while completing any specific requirements that may be required in this state that were not required in the other state, unless the authority finds that the requirements of the other state are substantially unequal to the standards in this state.

Summary of Bill: DOH and DOL regulating authorities must report on their efforts to implement the above legislation modifying professional licensing procedures for military spouses and veterans:

• in a biennial report to the Legislature;

• in an annual report to the Military Transition Council; and

• annually before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is about accountability and building a better bridge between licensing authorities and military transition councils. We need to ensure that military experience applies to licensing requirements. The bills that authorities will have to report on were precedent-setting at the time, and other states followed our lead. This approach is the first law we're aware of that asks how licensing authorities are doing with implementation, and we're watching it as a benchmark. This will help support our state's many veterans.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Steve Conway, Prime Sponsor; Mark San Souci, Department of Defense; Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.