Louisiana 2020 2020 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB498 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 275 (HB 498) 2020 Regular Session	Emerson
New law requires licensing boards to waive certain fees for applicants who meet either of the
following criteria:
(1)Receive public assistance.
(2)Earn 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.
New 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.
New law requires licensing boards to offer payment plans to all qualified applicants.
New 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. 
New 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.
New law only applies to licensing boards that directly administer their own examinations.
New law does not apply to any license issued and regulated under the judicial branch of
government.
Effective June 30, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 37:23.4)