GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 498 2020 Regular Session Emerson
LICENSING: Provides relative to occupational license and examination fee waiver and
payment plan for qualified individuals
DIGEST
Proposed law requires licensing boards to waive certain fees for applicants who meet either
of the following criteria:
(1)Receiving public assistance.
(2)Earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, unless the applicant
has been in an undergraduate or graduate school full time and therefore unable to
work.
Proposed law requires licensing boards to inform applicants that they may be eligible for a
fee waiver by placing notification on the application, and to provide instructions on how the
applicant can request further information.
Proposed law requires licensing boards to offer payment plans to all qualified applicants.
Proposed law stipulates that fees paid by the payment plans are not to exceed the amount of
fees charged for applicants paying the full price of exam or licensing.
Proposed law requires an individual who is in good standing with the licensing board and has
been provided a payment plan to pay the account in full within 12 months of the first
scheduled payment. Provides that failure to remit payment in full within the 12-month period
shall result in denial of license renewal for the individual.
Proposed law only applies to licensing agencies who directly administer their own
examinations.
Effective June 30, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 37:23.4)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Add an exception for applicants who have been in an undergraduate or
graduate school full time and unable to work.
2. Require the licensing board to place notification on their application, in order
to make applicants aware that they may qualify for a fee waiver.
3. Require applicants who are on a payment plan to pay off the account within
12 months of the initial scheduled payment or risk being denied a renewal of
their license.
4. Limit the applicability of the proposed law to licensing boards who directly
administer their own examinations.
5. Add an effective date of June 30, 2021.
6. Make technical changes.
Page 1 of 2
Prepared by Michelle D. Ridge. The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs to the reengrossed bill
1. Add a requirement that an individual who has been provided a payment plan
be in good standing with the licensing board.
2. Change from permitting the board to deny the renewal of a license to an
individual who fails to remit payment in accordance with terms of the
payment plan to requiring such.
Page 2 of 2
Prepared by Michelle D. Ridge.