SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5969
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of December 12, 2011
Title: An act relating to procedures allowing certain military spouses to seek employment in state-licensed professional occupations after relocating to Washington.
Brief Description: Concerning the establishment of procedures for the professional licensing of military spouses after relocation to Washington.
Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Becker, Carrell, Hobbs, Shin, Swecker, Conway, Eide, Rolfes, Harper, Kastama, Fain, Hatfield, King, Haugen, McAuliffe, Hargrove, Nelson, Tom, Pridemore, Keiser, Sheldon, Prentice, Hewitt, Zarelli, Baumgartner, Padden, Chase, Kline, Frockt, Brown, Kohl-Welles, Ranker, Murray, Regala and Parlette.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 12/13/11.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)
Background: The Department of Licensing (Department) regulates certain businesses and professions. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws and separate licensing requirements. Some businesses and professions are under the authority of the Director of the Department while others are under a board or commission charged with regulating the particular business or profession.
Licensing requirements for professions vary considerably. Some licenses require college-level coursework and experience. Other professions might require an examination, a surety bond, minimum safety standards, or other requirements, but do not require that the applicants have specific training or experience to be licensed.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): Each professional authority responsible for licensing, certifying, registering or issuing a permit to perform a professional service in this state is required 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 licensure; certification; registration; or obtaining a permit in the other state are substantially equivalent to that required in Washington.
Each professional authority is required to develop a method to authorize a person who meets the established criteria to perform services by issuing the person a temporary license, certificate, registration, or permit for a limited period of time. 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.
Authority is defined as any board, commission, or other authority for issuance of a license, certificate, registration, or permit.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on December 8, 2011.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.