{"id":3000,"date":"2023-05-22T21:13:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T21:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=3000"},"modified":"2023-05-22T22:03:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T22:03:05","slug":"licensing-reform-gains-momentum-in-wisconsin-legislature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=3000","title":{"rendered":"Licensing reform gains momentum\u00a0in Wisconsin Legislature"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post originally appeared at https:\/\/www.badgerinstitute.org\/licensing-reform-gains-momentum-in-wisconsin-legislature\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Badger Institute backs universal licensure bill<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n

Amid a sustained outcry from frustrated occupational license seekers and a statewide worker shortage, Wisconsin lawmakers are advancing a universal recognition licensure bill<\/a> and nearly a dozen more narrowly targeted reforms that would finally help remedy longtime bureaucratic dysfunction and over-regulation.<\/p>\n

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\"Occupational<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Wisconsin has lagged other states in adopting meaningful licensure reform despite chronic backlogs at the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the last couple of years, I have heard from many frustrated constituents that are dealing with unnecessary delays, confusion and lack of communication while attempting to get an occupational license from DSPS,\u201d said Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond), author of the universal measure that would grant a credential to an applicant who holds one in another state.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese unnecessary delays cause individuals to postpone starting their careers or stop them from entering the workforce,\u201d he said. \u201cWisconsin businesses are struggling to find qualified workers, so we need to ensure our licensure process is streamlined and functions efficiently. We cannot afford to fall behind other states in attracting skilled individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Wisconsin and out-of-state applicants for licenses \u2014 particularly those in health care professions \u2014 have found themselves waiting weeks or months for credentials required to work in their professions. Many have complained that they go long periods without even a response from the DSPS.<\/p>\n

\u201cWisconsin is definitely overdue for reform,\u201d said Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-Neenah), co-author of the universal licensing bill. \u201cUnder the current laws, it is easier for workers from pharmacists to architects to leave Wisconsin and start working elsewhere than it is for the reverse. That has to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n

In March, acting DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth told the legislative Joint Finance Committee that the agency has been working on the backlog and had reduced the average license processing time from 45 days to 38 days. Over the past year, the DSPS has gone from a 37% response rate to calls to its service line to a 97% response rate, he told the committee.<\/p>\n

Neither the DSPS nor Gov. Tony Evers\u2019 office responded to requests for comment.<\/p>\n

Nicole Boyington, president of the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association, said her members have seen some improvement in recent months, but not across the board.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been hearing a few weeks to eight months\u201d as wait times for occupational therapy license approvals, she said. <\/strong>\u201cIt is still very inconsistent. We have lost (occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants) to other states or they decide to leave OT.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the bills the Badger Institute is supporting are two that would give the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association more latitude to review license applications and also limit the DSPS\u2019s ability to require so-called statutes and rules examinations.<\/p>\n

The universal licensure bill is modeled after a 2020 law<\/a> that allows Wisconsin to accept occupational licenses from other states when they are held by current or former military members or their spouses.<\/p>\n

Once an individual applies for a reciprocal credential, the credential is considered provisionally granted on that date, and the individual may immediately practice, subject to a final decision from the DSPS.<\/p>\n

Since 2019, 20 states have adopted similar bills with bipartisan support.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe recognition bill is a positive step forward,\u201d said Meagan Forbes, director of legislation and senior legislative counsel at the Institute for Justice, adding that it includes some of the best practices adopted by other states.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople don\u2019t lose their skills or experience when they cross state lines, but licensing laws often treat them as if they do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Stafsholt and Gustafson have been soliciting co-sponsors and expect the bill to be introduced this month.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is of the utmost importance that Wisconsin is not only able to have a highly qualified and effective workforce, but also for Wisconsin to be a state that people can and want to move to,\u201d said Gustafson. \u201cCurrently, many professionals in desirable industries are required to reside in the state before they can apply for a license.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sen. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere), chairman of the Committee on Licensing, Constitution and Federalism, said his committee plans to hold a hearing on the reciprocity bill soon after it is introduced, calling it \u201ccritically important\u201d to \u201celiminate superfluous and cumbersome barriers to workforce entry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other bills under consideration were produced by the 2022 Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licensing<\/a>, consisting of legislators and practitioners who examined the DSPS backlogs and drafted efficiency reforms. Stafsholt and Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers), chairman of the Assembly Committee on Regulatory Licensing Reform, jointly chaired the committee. At times, the Badger Institute provided testimony<\/a>, recommendations<\/a> and feedback to the study committee.<\/p>\n

The bills increase transparency and reporting requirements for the DSPS, clarify license renewal dates, and take other steps to streamline the process for certain occupations.<\/p>\n

The transparency requirements are critical, according to Sortwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the greatest challenges facing the (study) committee was the lack of data from the department,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sortwell\u2019s committee has already\u00a0held a hearing on four of the Study Committee bills \u2014 two addressing DSPS transparency, one relating to criminal convictions, and one dealing with eligibility criteria for issuing a reciprocal credential. Three more will be reviewed by the Assembly licensing committee on Wednesday:<\/p>\n