ELECTRONIC CONTINUING EDUCATION

TRACKING SERVICES

Senate Bill 554 (passed by the Senate without amendment)

Senate Bill 555 (passed by Senate as Substitute S-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 1-19-16

SUMMARY:

Senate Bills 554 and 555 would each allow the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to enter into an agreement with an entity that is not an agency of a state or the federal government to provide an electronic continuing education tracking system.   Senate Bill 554 would amend the Public Health Code for those licensed or registered under Article 15, which deals with health occupations; Senate Bill 555 would amend the Occupational Code to apply to most individuals licensed or registered under that code.  The bills would take effect 90 days after the date they are enacted into law.

Senate Bill 554 would amend the Public Health Code by adding a new Section 16206, which states that LARA may enter into the agreement described above to provide an electronic record of the continuing education courses, classes, or programs completed by all of the individuals who are licensed or registered under Article 15 of the Public Health Code, which covers a wide range of health professionals.

All of the following apply to an electronic system provided by an agreement under this subsection:

o   All continuing education tracking provided by the system must accurately reflect the continuing education requirements under Article 15 and any rules promulgated under that article.

o   A confirmation of completion of continuing education requirements generated by the system is considered verification of completion of those requirements for renewal of a license or registration and for purposes of any audit of licensees or registrants conducted by the department.

o   The system must provide access to continuing education information about an individual who is licensed or registered under Article 15 to the individual, to the appropriate board for the individual's health profession, and to the department.

The department would be required to also promulgate any rules it considers appropriate to implement and administer this section.

Senate Bill 555 contains the same provisions, only it would apply to all individuals licensed or registered under the Occupational Code, with the exception of individuals licensed under Article 7 (public accountants) and Article 25 (real estate brokers and salespersons).

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bills 554 and 555, as passed by the Senate, would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) dependent on whether the BPL opts to contract with a vendor to provide an electronic continuing education tracking system and on the extent that the cost related to the contract would differ from the cost for the BPL to operate the current system. Presumably, the BPL would only opt to contract with a vendor if it was cost effective. The BPL is supported with revenue generated by fees and fines collected from individuals and entities engaged in occupations regulated under the relevant statutes.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Paul B.A. Holland

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.