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PRINTER'S NO. 1204
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
88
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY POLINCHOCK, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, JAMES, MASSER,
MILLARD, ROTHMAN, ROWE, SAYLOR AND THOMAS, APRIL 8, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, APRIL 8, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
comprehensive study of the regulatory waivers and suspensions
issued by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
within the Department of State is charged with oversight of 29
licensing boards and commissions and the facilitation of roughly
130 individual licenses and 39 facility licenses; and
WHEREAS, Professionals licensed under the Bureau of
Professional and Occupational Affairs range from health-related
professionals, including physicians and nurses, to business-
related professionals, including cosmetologists and realtors;
and
WHEREAS, Each licensing board and commission under the Bureau
of Professional and Occupational Affairs has its own practice
act and regulations; and
WHEREAS, Currently, 25% of employees in the United States
need professional licenses to work in their occupations; and
WHEREAS, As a result, states have taken an active role in
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developing effective regulatory policies that protect consumers,
but also promote economic growth and employment opportunities;
and
WHEREAS, Since March 2020, there have been nearly 100
regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Bureau of
Professional and Occupational Affairs to temporarily remove
barriers to work and practice in this Commonwealth during the
COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
continues to issue new regulatory waivers and suspensions and
update existing waivers; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of
the regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Bureau of
Professional and Occupational Affairs during the COVID-19
pandemic; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission
specifically study, at a minimum, the regulatory waivers and
suspensions issued by the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic pertaining to
license renewal extensions, continuing education requirements
and distance education, temporary licensure and reactivation of
licenses for retired professionals; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission's
findings in the report include all of the following:
(1) A description of a list of the regulatory waivers
and suspensions issued by the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2) The impact of each regulatory waiver and suspension
on practice and employment in this Commonwealth.
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(3) Recommendations on which, if any, regulatory waivers
and suspensions should permanently remain in place or what
other permanent statutory or regulatory changes should be
pursued in an effort to reduce barriers to practice and
employment in the Commonwealth;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission solicit
input from organizations of licensed professionals in this
Commonwealth and representatives from the Bureau of Professional
and Occupational Affairs to assist the Joint State Government
Commission with its findings and recommendations in the report;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report of its findings and recommendations to the chair and
minority chair of the Professional Licensure Committee of the
House of Representatives no later than six months after the
adoption of this resolution.
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