PRINTER'S NO. 1074
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
869
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY TOMLINSON, BOSCOLA, GORDNER, COMITTA, FONTANA AND
BROOKS, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
AN ACT
Amending Title 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed))
of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in powers and
duties, further providing for definitions and providing for
virtual operation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3102 of Title 63 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:
§ 3102. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Distance education." Instruction offered by any means where
the licensee is in a separate physical location from the
instructor and communication is accomplished through one or more
technological media. The term includes real-time or delayed
interaction using voice, video, data or text, including
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instruction provided online, via correspondence or interactive
video.
* * *
"Practice act." A statute governing the licensure,
certification, registration or permit of a profession that is
under the jurisdiction of a licensing board or licensing
commission.
* * *
"Virtual platform." Live-stream synchronous
videoconferencing or similar virtual presence technology.
"Virtual supervision." The act of supervision of hours
necessary for a license, certificate, registration or permit in
a practice act done in a manner that allows the supervisor to be
in a separate physical location from the supervisee while using
a virtual platform to maintain a continuous real-time virtual
presence as if in person.
Section 2. Title 63 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 3107.1. Virtual operation.
(a) Virtual meetings.--In addition to the requirements of a
practice act to hold public meetings to conduct business, each
licensing board and licensing commission shall use a virtual
platform to conduct business when a public meeting is held.
(b) Quorum.--Notwithstanding the provisions of a practice
act, for the purposes of a quorum, a licensing board or
licensing commission may use a virtual platform to establish a
quorum and effectuate business if the platform allows for live
participation. Licensing board or licensing commission meetings
conducted in this manner shall not need to meet location
requirements as may be required in a practice act.
(c) Distance education.-- Each licensing board and licensing
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commission shall establish rules and regulations for continuing
education that provides for distance education if continuing
education is required for a license, certificate, registration
or permit in a practice act.
(d) Virtual supervision.--In order to meet the supervision
requirements for license, certificate, registration or permit
hours in a practice act, each licensing board and licensing
commission shall establish rules and regulations providing for
virtual supervision in a manner that meets the requirements for
licensure, certification, registration or permit and is
acceptable to the licensing board and licensing commission.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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