On January 16, the full Assembly approved several bills supported by WiHPCA that attempt to streamline the state occupational licensing process:
- Assembly Bill 90: A bill allowing a third-party contractor to process occupational credentialing applications for occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants. This will help expedite the processing of these applications, as many of them are stuck in a continuing backlog of credential processing at the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.
- This bill passed the Assembly by voice vote on January 16 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
- Senate Bill 158: In order to help expedite the occupational credentialing process for new college graduates in the health care field, this bill would require the state Department of Safety and Professional Services to grant preliminary occupational credentials to those who have recently completed the requirements to obtain a health care credential, submitted a license application, and have been engaged by a health care employer.
- This bill passed the Assembly by voice vote on January 16. Also, on June 14, 2023, the state Senate approved this bill on a party-line basis (22 in favor, 11 against).
- As the Assembly also amended this bill on January 16, the bill goes back to the Senate for further consideration. This amendment would enter Wisconsin into the national Social Work Licensure Compact (allowing Wisconsin-licensed social workers to work in other states that have also approved this compact).
