Madison, WI – Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R - New Richmond) released the following statement after the Study Committee on Occupational Licenses’ final hearing was held [Tuesday]:
“It has been an honor serving as Chair of the Study Committee on Occupational Licenses. The members of the committee have been working diligently in a bipartisan manner to come up with reforms to streamline the licensure process and ease the current backlog at DSPS. I want to thank all the members of this committee for their time and effort over the last few months.”
The committee was tasked with finding long-term solutions that will fix the problems plaguing the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The committee had intentions of working with the department in order to provide relief for them. It was a struggle for both Legislators as well as the public members of the committee to get any of the information that was requested from DSPS.
“The lack of participation and attention that the department has shown towards the committee during this process is alarming and disappointing. The department chose to spend their time sending misleading emails about the study committee to license holders, rather than providing us with the information we requested. Their lack of action is completely unacceptable.”
The scope of study for the committee was to review the current occupational licensing system and prior recommendations made for licensure by the department. In addition, decide if it necessary to implement systems of review for both new and current occupational credentials. Lastly, review options to expand access to individuals from other states to receive a reciprocal credential to practice in Wisconsin.
“The study committee was created with the goal of finding solutions so current and future license holders can be licensed in a timely manner. We were tasked with finding common sense, bipartisan solutions to this very serious and real problem in Wisconsin. I truly think we have come up with several long-term solutions and I look forward to continuing that work in upcoming legislative session.”
The study committee voted in favor of recommending the following bill drafts:
- LRB-0363/P5, relating to investigations of conviction records by DSPS for purposes of determining eligibility for credentials.
- LRB-0364/P3, relating to renewals of certain credentials.
- LRB-0365/P3, relating to biennial report on various metrics related to the issuance of occupational credentials.
- LRB-0401/P3, relating to practice of certain professions by credential holders from other states.
- LRB-0450/P3, relating to renewal dates and continuing education requirements for certain credentials issued by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and credentialing boards.
- LRB-0462/P3, relating to requiring DSPS to post certain credential information its website.
- LRB-0467/P3, relating to publication of credential metrics.
- LRB-0837/P1, relating to ratification of the counseling compact.
- LRB-0838/P1, relating to ratification of the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
Last Update: Dec 14, 2022 8:40 am CST
