MADISON, WI – Rep. Plumer released the following statement after the Assembly passed reforms to the Department of Safety and Professional Services that help address shortcomings in the department’s ability to approve credentials and licensing renewals in a timely manner:
“One of the things I am often contacted about by constituents is delays in license approval or renewal that they need for their career. They frequently mention that the Department doesn’t get back to them in a timely manner, loses information, or is unaware it has been sent to them.
The Legislature took action, and created a study committee last summer to work with Republicans, Democrats, the Executive branch, and members of the public to find solutions. The committee came up with a number of bipartisan reforms to the department which were
presented to the Legislature and had support from both Republicans and Democrats on the committee.
I was proud to vote in favor of this legislative package. However, it was disappointing to see most of these bipartisan and common sense reforms not receive a single Democrat vote today.”
Reforms to Department of Safety and Professional Services Licensing Process:
Provide critical licensing data to the public and Legislature
Provide the Department more flexibility in its legal review process
Clarify the law to ensure licensed individuals can continue working while their license renewal is processed
Extend license renewal periods from two to four years
Help attract critical licensed healthcare workers to the state by letting them begin work under a “preliminary” license while their permanent one is processed
Provide information to the public on which states we have a license reciprocity agreement
