HB 91

This bill would require each state occupational licensing board, agency, and commission, by rule, to establish and maintain a recruitment and assistance program for encouraging the recruitment of new licensees and assisting new applicants for licensure in becoming licensed

This bill would also include an examination of the required program as part of the Sunset Committee review process

To add Chapter 9A, commencing with Section 41-9A-1, to Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to general provisions relating to state occupational licensing boards, agencies, and commissions; to require each board, agency, and commission to establish and maintain a recruitment and assistance program for encouraging the recruitment of new licensees and assisting new applicants for licensure in becoming licensed; and to amend Section 41-20-6, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Sunset Committee, to include an examination of the required programs as part of the Sunset Committee review process.

Section 1

Chapter 9A, commencing with Section 41-9A-1, is added to Title 41 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows: §41-9A-1. For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) LICENSE. Any license, certificate, or other evidence of qualification that an individual is required to obtain before he or she may engage in or represent himself or herself to be a member of a particular profession or occupation. (2) OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARD. Any state board, agency, commission, or other entity in Alabama that is established for the primary purpose of regulating the entry of individuals into, or the conduct of individuals within, or both, a particular profession or occupation, and that is authorized to issue licenses. The term does not include state agencies, staffed by full-time state employees, which as a part of their regular functions, may issue licenses. §41-9A-2. Before January 1, 2020, each occupational licensing board in existence on the effective date of the act adding this section, by rule, shall develop and maintain a recruitment and assistance program to encourage the recruitment of new licensees to those professions or occupations regulated by the occupational licensing board and assist new applicants for licensure in becoming licensed. The program shall encourage recruitment and assist applicants at all levels of licensure under the jurisdiction of the occupational licensing board. Each occupational licensing board created on or after January 1, 2020, by rule, shall develop a recruitment and assistance program within one year after the date of the organizational meeting of the occupational licensing board.

Section 2

Section 41-20-6 of the Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§41-20-6.

(a) The Sunset Committee reviewing enumerated or nonenumerated agencies, shall hold public hearings and receive testimony from the public and all interested parties.

(b) All enumerated or nonenumerated agencies shall bear the burden of establishing that sufficient public need is present which justifies their continued existence.

(c) All enumerated or nonenumerated agencies shall provide the reviewing and evaluating committee with all of the following information:

(1) The identity of all agencies under the direct or advisory control of the agency under review;.

(2) All powers, duties, and functions currently performed by the agency under review;.

(3) All constitutional, statutory, or other authority under which said the powers, duties, and functions of the agency are carried out;.

(4) Any powers, duties, or functions which, in the opinion of the agency under review, are being performed and duplicated by another agency within the state, including the manner in which and the extent to which this duplication of efforts is occurring and any recommendations as to eliminating the duplication;.

(5) Any powers, duties, or functions which, in the opinion of the agency under review, are inconsistent with current and projected public needs and which should be terminated or altered; and.

(6) An accurate measure of the effectiveness of the recruitment and assistance program developed and maintained by the agency under review pursuant to Section 41-9A-1.

(6)(7) Any other information which the reviewing committee, in its discretion, feels is necessary and proper in carrying out its review and evaluative duties."

Section 3

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.