Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: Enacted 5 D cosponsors

HB 6449 — AN ACT EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN OCCUPATIONS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND REQUIRING A REPORT FROM CERTAIN EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES REGARDING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING PRECLEARANCE ASSESSMENTS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2021. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 8 sponsors

    8 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

255 added · 210 removed

255 line(s) added, 210 removed.

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Latest
House of Representatives General Assembly File No.
Substitute House Bill No.
203 January Session, 2021 Substitute House Bill No.
6449 Public Act No.
6449 House of Representatives, March 30, 2021 The Committee on Public Health reported through REP.
21-152 AN ACT EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN OCCUPATIONS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROTECTION AND REQUIRING A REPORT FROM CERTAIN EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCIES REGARDING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING PRECLEARANCE ASSESSMENTS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY.
STEINBERG of the 136th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the House, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN OCCUPATIONS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) The Department of PublicHealth shall issue anoccupationalor professionallicense, permit, certification or registration issued by the Department of Public Health shall be issued, in the occupation or profession applied for and at a practice level determined by the department, to a person who is (1) a resident of this state as defined in section 12-701 of the general statutes, or (2) married to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and accompanies said member, pursuant to an official permanent change of station, to a military installation located in this state if:
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) An occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration issued by the Department of Public Health pursuant to chapter 368v, 370, 372, 373, 375, 375a, 376, 376a, 376b, 376c, 377, 378, 378a, 379, 379a, 380, 381, 381a, 381b, 382a, 382b, 382c, 383, 383a, 383b, 383c, 383d, 383e, 383f, 383g, 383h, 384, 384a, 384b, 384c, 384d, 385, 386, 387, 387a, 388, 388a, 393a, 395, 397a, 398, 399, 400a, 400c or 474 of the general statutes shall be issued, in the occupation or profession applied for and at a practice level determined by the department, to a person who is (1) a resident of this state, as defined in section 12-701 of the general statutes, and provides a current driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement or property deed indicating such person's residence in this state;
(A) The person holds a valid license, permit, certification or registration in at least one other jurisdiction in the occupation or profession applied for;
or (2) married to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and accompanies such member, pursuant to an official permanent change of station, to a military installation located in this state if:
sHB6449 / File No.
Substitute House Bill No.
203 1 sHB6449 File No.
6449 (A) The person holds a valid license, permit, certification or registration in at least one other jurisdiction in the United States in the occupation or profession applied for;
203 (B) The person has practiced under such license, permit, certification or registration for not less than one year;
(B) The person has practiced under such license, permit, certification or registration for not less than four years;
(C) The person is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which he or she holds a license, permit, certification or registration and has not had a license, permit, certification or registration revoked or discipline imposed by any jurisdiction, does not have a complaint, allegation or investigation related to unprofessional conduct pending in any jurisdiction, and has not voluntarily surrendered a license, permit, certificationor registration whileunder investigationfor unprofessional conduct in any jurisdiction;
(C) The person is in good standing in all jurisdictions in the United States in which he or she holds a license, permit, certification or registration and has not had a license, permit, certification or registration revoked or discipline imposed by any jurisdiction in the United States, does not have a complaint, allegation or investigation related to unprofessional conduct pending in any jurisdiction, and has not voluntarily surrendered a license, permit, certification or registrationwhileunderinvestigationforunprofessionalconduct inany jurisdiction;
(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the Department of Public Health may require a person to take and pass all or a portion of any examination required of other persons applying for the license, permit, certification or registration.
(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the Department of Public Health (1) shall require a resident of this state to take and pass all or a portion of any examination required of other persons applying for the license, permit, certification or registration;
and (2) may require a person married to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States to take all or a portion of such examination.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, and pursuant to section 19a-14 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Public Health may deny an occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration if he or she finds such denial is in the best interest of the state.
Public Act No.
21-152 2 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
6449 (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and pursuant to section 19a-14 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Public Health may deny an occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration if he or she finds such denial is in the best interest of the state.
sHB6449 / File No.
(b) Such working groups shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Public Health, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy, or their designees;
203 2 sHB6449 File No.
(2) the chair of the appropriate board of examiners or advisory board, or his or her designee;
203 (b) Such working groups shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of Public Health, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and the executive director of the Office of Health Strategy, or their designees, (2) the chair of the appropriate board of examiners or advisory board, or his or her designee, (3) a representative of the appropriate state professional association, (4) a representative of the professional assistance program for regulated professions established pursuant to section 19a-12a of the general statutes, and (5) any other members the Commissioner of Public Health deems appropriate.
(3) a representative of the appropriate state professional association;
(4) a representative of the professional assistance program for regulated professions established pursuant to section 19a-12a of the general statutes;
and (5) any other members the Commissioner of Public Health deems appropriate.
(Effective July 1, 2021) Not later than January 15, 2022, the Commissioner of Public Health shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health.
(Effective July 1, 2021) Not later than January 15, 2022, the Commissioner of Public Health shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of Public Act No.
Such report shall be developed in consultation with such boards or commissions as the commissioner deems appropriate and shall recommend whether it would be in the best interest of the state (1) for any examination administered by the state pursuant to chapters 369 to 388, inclusive, chapter 393a, chapters 395 to 417, inclusive, chapters 435 to 449, inclusive, or chapters 474 to 483, inclusive, of the general statutes to be administered by a national organization acceptable to the Department of Public Health, and (2) to reduce any experience and training requirements while increasing any such examination's ability to test applicants' knowledge or skills.
21-152 3 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
sHB6449 / File No.
6449 matters relating to public health.
203 3 sHB6449 File No.
Such report shall be developed in consultation with such boards or commissions as the commissioner deems appropriate and shall recommend whether it would be in the best interest of the state (1) for any examination administered by the state pursuant to chapter 368v, 370, 372, 373, chapters 375 to 388a, inclusive, chapter 393a, 395, chapters 397a to 399, inclusive, chapter 400a, 400c or 474 of the general statutes to be administered by a national organization acceptable to the Department of Public Health, and (2) to reduce any experience and training requirements while increasing any such examination's ability to test applicants' knowledge or skills.
203 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Sec.
Section 1 October 1, 2021 New section Sec.
4.
2 July 1, 2021 New section Sec.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) (a) An occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration issued by the Department of Consumer Protection pursuant to chapter 389, 390, 391, 392, 394, 396, 396a, 399a, 399b, 400, 400b, 400f, 400g, 400h, 400j, 400m, 400o or 400p of the general statutes shall be issued, in the occupation or profession applied for and at a practice level determined by the department, to a person who is (1) a resident of this state, as defined in section 12-701 of the general statutes, and provides a current driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement or property deed indicating their residence in this state;
3 July 1, 202 New section Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
or (2) married to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and accompanies such member, pursuant to an official permanent change of station, to a military installation located in this state, if such person:
In Section 1(a), provisions were rewritten for clarity.
(A) Holds a valid license, permit, certification or registration in at least one other jurisdiction in the United States in the occupation or profession applied for;
In Sections 2 and 3, "(NEW)" was deleted for accuracy.
(B) Has at least four years of experience, including (i) practice under such license, permit, certification or registration, (ii) classroom education, and (iii) on-the-job training;
PH Joint Favorable Subst.
(C) Is in good standing in all jurisdictions in United States in which Public Act No.
-LCO sHB6449 / File No.
21-152 4 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
203 4 sHB6449 File No.
6449 he or she holds a license, permit, certification or registration and has not had a license, permit, certification or registration revoked or discipline imposed by any jurisdiction, does not have a complaint, allegation or investigation related to unprofessional conduct pending in any jurisdiction and has not voluntarily surrendered a license, permit, certificationor registrationwhileunder investigationfor unprofessional conduct in any jurisdiction;
203 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
(D) Satisfies any background check or character and fitness check required of other applicants for the license, permit, certification or registration;
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
(E) Pays all fees required of other applicants for the license, permit, certification or registration;
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
and (F) Takes and passes all or a portion of any examination required of other persons applying for the license, permit, certification or registration, except a person married to an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States may be required to take and pass all or a portion of such examination at the discretion of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
(b) Any person issued a license, permit, certification or registration pursuant to this section shall be subject to the laws of this state and the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Protection.
None Municipal Impact:
(c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may deny an occupational or professional license, permit, certification or registration if the commissioner finds such denial is in the best interest of the state.
None Explanation The bill, which (among other requirements) tasks the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health with convening working groups to determine whether Connecticut should join any interstate licensure compacts, is not anticipated to result in a fiscal impact to the state or municipalities.
(d) A person applying for a license, permit, certification or registration that is not required to practice an occupation or profession in at least twenty-five states who relocates to this state from another state that did not require a license, permit, certification or registration to Public Act No.
Show all 91 changed rows (51 more)
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PA 17-236 prohibits transportation allowances for working group members.
21-152 5 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
The Out Years State Impact:
6449 practice the person's occupation or profession may be considered to have satisfied the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section if he or she establishes to thesatisfactionof theDepartment ofConsumer Protectionthat heor she has four or more years of related work experience with a substantially similar scope of practice within the five years preceding the date of application to said department.
None Municipal Impact:
Sec.
None sHB6449 / File No.
5.
203 5 sHB6449 File No.
Section 20-333 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021):
203 OLR Bill Analysis HB 6449 AN ACT EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN OCCUPATIONS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
(a) To obtain a license under this chapter, an applicant shall have attained such applicant's eighteenth birthday and shall furnish such evidence of competency as the appropriate board or the Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall require.
SUMMARY This bill generally makes it easier for health care professionals licensed in other states to obtain a Connecticut credential if they reside here.
A recommendation for review issued pursuant to section31-22u shall besufficient to demonstrate such competency.
It does so by generally requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue the appropriate license or other credential to a state resident, or a spouse of an active duty service member permanently stationed here, if that person meets specified requirements (e.g., has practiced under a valid credential in another jurisdiction for at least a year and has no disciplinary history).
The applicant shall satisfy such board or the commissioner that such applicant [is of good moral character,] possesses a diploma or other evidence of graduation from the eighth grade of grammar school, or possesses an equivalent education to be determined on examination and has the requisite skill to perform the work in the trade for which such applicant is applying for a license and can comply with all other requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted under this chapter.
It allows DPH to (1) require these applicants to pass examinations required of other applicants and (2) deny a credential if the commissioner finds it to be in the state’s best interest.
A recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 31- 22u shall be sufficient to demonstrate that an applicant possesses such requisiteskillandcancomplywithallotherrequirementsofthischapter and the regulations adopted under this chapter.
The bill requires the DPH commissioner to (1) convene working groups to determine whether Connecticut should join any interstate licensure compacts and(2) report to thePublicHealthCommittee onthe groups’ recommendations by January 15, 2022.
For any application submitted pursuant to thissectionthat requiresahearing or other action by the applicable examining board or the commissioner, such hearing or other action by the applicable examining board or the commissioner shall occur not later than thirty days after the date of submission for such application.
Finally, the bill requires the DPH commissioner to report on whether it would be in the state’s best interest to (1) replace any state exams for certain credentialed professionals with tests by national organizations that DPH deems acceptable and (2) reduce any experience and training requirements while increasing testing of applicants’ knowledge or skills.
Upon application for any such license, the applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee of ninety Public Act No.
Generally, this provision applies to DPH-credentialed professionals and other specified professionals credentialed by certain other agencies (principally, the Department of Consumer Protection).
21-152 6 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
She must report to the Public Health Committee by January 15, 2022, sHB6449 / File No.
6449 dollars for a license under subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) and subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of section 20-334a, or a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred fifty dollars for a license under subdivision (1) of subsection (a), subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (b), subdivision (1) of subsection (c) and subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (e) of section 20-334a.
203 6 sHB6449 File No.
Any such application fee shall be waived for persons who present a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 31-22u.
203 and develop the report in consultation with whatever boards or commissions she deems appropriate.
(b) The department shall conduct such written, oral and practical examinations as the appropriate board, with the consent of the commissioner, deems necessary to test the knowledge of the applicant in the work for which a license is being sought.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The department shall allow any applicant, who has not participated in an apprenticeship program but presents a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 31-22u, to sit for any such examination.
October 1, 2021, for the credentialing provision and July 1, 2021, for the working group and reporting provisions.
Any person completing the required apprentice training program for a journeyman's license under section 20-334a shall, within thirty days following such completion, apply for a licensure examination given by the department.
§ 1 — DPH CREDENTIALING Existing law provides for licensure by endorsement (also called licensure without examination) for several categories of health care professionals who are licensed in other states.
If an applicant does not pass such licensure examination, the commissioner shall provide each failed applicant with information on how to retake the examination and a report describing the applicant's strengths and weaknesses in such examination.
Generally, this applies if DPH determines that the other state’s licensure standards are substantially similar to, or higher than, those of this state.
Any apprentice permit issued under section 20-334a to an applicant who fails three licensure examinations in any one-year period shall remain in effect if such applicant applies for and takes the first licensure examination given by the department following the one-year period from the date of such applicant's third and last unsuccessful licensure examination.
The bill generally requires DPH to issue an occupational or professional license, permit, certification, or registration (hereinafter, “credential”) to a state resident or an accompanying spouse of an active duty service member permanently stationed here if that person:
Otherwise, such permit shall be revoked as of the date of the first examination given by the department following expiration of such one-year period.
1.
(c) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, subject to section 46a- Public Act No.
holdsavalidcredentialintheapplicableprofession inatleastone other jurisdiction and has practiced under that credential for at least a year;
21-152 7 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
2.
6449 80, may deny a license or may issuealicense pursuant to aconsent order containing conditions that shall be met by the applicant if the applicant reports that he or she has been found guilty or convicted as a result of an act which constitutes a felony under (1) the laws of this state at the time of application for such license, (2) federal law at the time of application for such license, or (3) the laws of another jurisdiction, and which, if committed within this state, would constitute a felony under the laws of this state.
isingoodstandinginalljurisdictionswherecredentialedandhas no disciplinary history (including credential revocation or other discipline;
[(c)] (d) When an applicant has qualified for a license, the department shall, upon receipt ofthe license fee or uponwaiver ofsuch fee pursuant to section 20-335, issue to such applicant a license entitling such applicant to engage in the work or occupation for which a license was sought and shall register each successful applicant's name and address in the roster of licensed persons authorized to engage in the work or occupation within the appropriate board's authority.
pending complaints, allegations, or investigations related to unprofessional conduct;
All fees and other moneys collected by the department shall be promptly transmitted to the State Treasurer as provided in section 4-32.
or voluntary surrender of a credential during an investigation);
Sec.
3.
6.
satisfies any background, character, or fitness check required of other applicants;
(Effective October 1, 2021) The Departments of Administrative Services, Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Correction, Emergency Services and Public Protection and Public Health, the Labor Department, and the Office of Early Childhood shall, not later than January 1, 2022, report to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on (1) the number of employees who perform background checks related to the department's or office's licensing functions, the job classifications of such employees, and the type or level of clearance of the background checks that are being performed, (2) the number of hours each such employee spends on average per week performing background checks, and (3) for any licenses in which some education or training is required of the applicant prior to obtaining a license, the feasibility of establishing a preclearance assessment of criminal history prior to potential applicants beginning such education or training.
and 4.
Such Public Act No.
pays any credentialing fees required of other applicants.
21-152 8 of 9 Substitute House Bill No.
These provisions apply to DPH-issued credentials.
6449 recommendations shall additionally assess the feasibility of centralizing and standardizing background checks performed by state government agencies and shall address any related issues of delegation of authority by such agencies.
DPH determines the practice level of the credential.
Approved July 12, 2021 Public Act No.
The bill specifies that anyone issued a credential under these provisions is subject to Connecticut law and DPH jurisdiction.
21-152 9 of 9
sHB6449 / File No.
203 7 sHB6449 File No.
203 The bill also allows DPH to (1) require any such person to pass an examination (or part of one) required of other applicants and (2) deny an application if the commissioner finds it to be in the state’s best interest (e.g., if the applicant has committed an act which would not conform to the accepted standards of practice of the profession).
§ 2 — INTERSTATE LICENSURE COMPACT WORKING GROUPS The bill requires the DPH commissioner to convene working groups to determine whether the state should join any interstate licensure compacts.
Any such groups must convene by August 30, 2021.
The groups must include:
1.
the DPH commissioner, the Office of Policy and Management secretary, the Office of Health Strategy executive director, and thechair oftheappropriate examining or advisory board,or their designees;
2.
a representative of the appropriate state professional association;
3.
a representative of the professional assistance program for regulated health professions (HAVEN);
and 4.
anyone else the DPH commissioner deems appropriate.
By January 15, 2022, the commissioner must report to the Public Health Committee on the groups’ recommendations.
The working groups end when she submits her report.
COMMITTEE ACTION Public Health Committee Joint Favorable Yea 26 Nay 7 (03/12/2021) sHB6449 / File No.
203 8
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Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 21-152

  5. ON CONSENT CALENDAR /IN CONCURRENCE

  6. SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 573

  9. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  10. TRANSMITTED PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 17

  11. HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  12. HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

  13. FILE NO. 203

  14. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 174

  15. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  16. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  17. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/29/21

  18. FILED WITH LCO

  19. Joint Favorable

  20. PUBLIC HEARING 0303

  21. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Health

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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8 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 179 not signed on

Sponsors (8)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (179)

179 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 6449?
HB 6449 is sponsored by Geraldo C. Reyes (Democratic), Hilda E. Santiago (Democratic), Stallworth, Charlie L., Travis Simms (Democratic), Robin E. Comey (Democratic), Conley, Christine, Cheeseman, Holly H., and Kenneth Gucker (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 6449?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 6449?
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