Indiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Indiana House Bill HB1138 Introduced / Fiscal Note

Filed 03/01/2024

                    LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6525	NOTE PREPARED: Mar 1, 2024
BILL NUMBER: HB 1138	BILL AMENDED: Feb 22, 2024
SUBJECT: Professional Licensing Matters.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Goss-Reaves	BILL STATUS: Enrolled
FIRST SPONSOR: Sen. Zay
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL	IMPACT: State
DEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: Removal of Quality Review References – The bill removes references to a quality
review in provisions relating to the licensing of accountants. The bill requires the Indiana Board of
Accountancy (Accountancy Board) to adopt rules requiring the firm to allow the administering entity to
provide access to the results of its most recently accepted peer review and other objective information to the
Accountancy Board.
Availability of Peer Review Reports– The bill removes language requiring the administering entity to make
a peer review report available to the oversight committee not more than 30 days after the issuance of the peer
review report. The bill provides that the results of a peer review may be treated as a complaint submitted by
the Accountancy Board. The bill removes language requiring the peer review committee issuing a report to
cooperate with an investigation of a complaint. 
Use of Titles– The bill allows the use of certain titles by an individual who is enrolled in or has graduated
from a school or college of architecture or an accredited curriculum of landscape architecture.
Professional Geologists– The bill specifies that the renewal of a professional geologist license after June 30,
2025, requires continuing education. 
Other Professional Licensing Matters– The bill allows certain individuals to take various licensing
examinations early if certain conditions are met. The bill clarifies virtual supervision for purposes of an
individual obtaining clinical social work experience. It increases the number of: (1) clinical social work
experience hours; and (2) postdegree clinical experience hours; an individual may obtain through virtual
supervision.
HB 1138	1 Effective Date:  July 1, 2024.
Explanation of State Expenditures: Removal of Quality Review References– This provision removes
obsolete date references. The Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) would likely not need to update license
holders, but if they choose to do so, the administrative workload to the PLA would be routine. The
Accountancy Board would likely be able to update rules as a routine matter of business during regularly
scheduled board meetings.
Availability of Peer Review Reports– The PLA may need to update practitioners and administering entities
of the changes made under the bill. It is likely the PLA would be able to make the necessary updates or other
implementation within their existing level of resources and staffing.
Use of Titles– The PLA may need to follow-up with practitioners in the areas of architecture and landscape
architecture regarding the use of titles, as described in the bill. This is a routine function of the PLA and can
be accomplished within their existing resource levels.
Professional Geologists– The Indiana Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists (Board) would have
to notify licensed geologists that will be at or near their renewal date around July 1, 2025, that they must
complete the continuing education (CE) requirements prior to their next renewal (instead of one year after
their next complete license cycle.) Notifying license holders is a routine administrative function that should
be completed within the Board’s existing level of resources.  
Under current law, (P.L. 108-2022) the CE requirement would not become a condition of license renewal
until after the first full license renewal cycle that begins one year after final adoption of the CE rules. Under
the bill, the CE requirement would become an immediate requirement for renewal for all license holders after
June 30, 2025. License renewals last for three years.
Other Professional Licensing Matters– The PLA would likely be able to take on the additional administrative
responsibilities this provision would require within their current level of staffing and resources. The
additional administrative workload would include making changes to the affected license application forms,
updating the PLA website to inform potential license applicants, and updating or developing new rules.
These are routine functions of the PLA. It is unlikely that these changes would significantly increase the total
number of license applications the PLA will receive from these professions after each graduation cycle. 
Explanation of State Revenues: Professional Geologists–  Under current law, the existing CE requirements
are expected to result in some initial attrition to license renewals. Any potential revenue loss from the bill
will occur in FY 2026. (Under current law, any potential revenue loss would occur within 1 to 3 years after
CE rule adoption.)
As of September 15, 2023, there were 1,169 professional geologists licensed by the board. License fees are
$160 for the initial application and $150 for a three-year renewal, paid by the applicant directly to Indiana
University.
Other Professional Licensing Matters– It is possible that fee revenue from applications in these affected
license areas will increase as a result of this provision. However, it is likely any increase would be small.
Explanation of Local Expenditures: 
HB 1138	2 Explanation of Local Revenues: 
State Agencies Affected: Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, Board of Accountancy,
Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists, Professional Licensing Agency.
Local Agencies Affected:
Information Sources: Doug Boyle, Director of Legislative Affairs and Communication, Professional
Licensing Agency;
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.naswin.org/resource/resmgr/licensing_information_/2021-22_Licensing_se
ssion_FA.pdf;
https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services/behavioral-health-and-human-
services-licensing-information/#Bachelor_Social_Worker__LBSW___Bachelor_Level.
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Baker,  317-232-9851.
HB 1138	3