ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION ACT S.B. 167: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 167 (as introduced 2-3-05)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform
Date Completed: 4-19-05
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Online Continuing Education Act" to provide that, except as otherwise provided in a specific act concerning a regulated occupation, an occupational regulatory agency requiring a program of continuing education or continuing professional competency for renewal of a license, would have to allow at least half of the required credit hours of continuing education or continuing professional competency to be earned through online or electronic media meeting standards acceptable to the regulatory agency.
"Occupational regulatory agency" would mean a department, bureau, or agency of the State that has regulatory authority over a regulated occupation. "Regulated occupation" would mean an occupation, profession, or vocation that requires a license as a predicate for the practice of the occupation, profession, or vocation or that provides for the use of a specific title in the practice of the occupation, profession, or vocation.
"License" would mean a certificate, registration, or license issued by an occupational regulatory agency that allows an individual to engage in a regulated occupation or to use a specific title in the practice of an occupation, profession, or vocation.
An occupational regulatory agency could promulgate rules to implement the proposed Act.
The proposed Act would take effect July 1, 2007.
Legislative Analyst: J.P. Finet
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
David Fosdick
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb167/0506