FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1574



C 256 L 07
Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying provisions concerning the uniform regulation of business and professions.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Conway, Hudgins, Condotta, Moeller and Kenney; by request of Department of Licensing).

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) regulates certain businesses and professions. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws. Some businesses and professions, such as auctioneers and security guards, are under the authority of the Director of the DOL (Director) and others, such as architects and geologists, are under a board or commission charged with regulating the particular business or profession.

In 2002, the Legislature passed the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act (URBPA) to provide standardized disciplinary procedures for various businesses and professions regulated by the DOL.

Summary:

A number of changes are made to the various professional licensing laws under the DOL and to the URBPA.

SPECIFIC PROFESSIONS:

Director and Board Authority.
For a number of businesses and professions, clarification is added:

Unprofessional Conduct.

URBPA:

Definitions. "Unlicensed practice" is defined to include representations to a "person" rather than a "consumer."

Scope. Bail bond recovery agents are added to the list of professions covered by the URBPA.

Procedures. A number of changes are made to disciplinary procedures:

Applications. Although the URBPA does not apply generally to conduct or conditions occurring before January 1, 2003, it does apply to applications for licensure made on or after January 1, 2003.

Other clarifying changes are made.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   47   0

Effective: July 22, 2007