Authorizes the La. Board of Pharmacy to waive license and certification renewal fees for military spouses
Impact
The bill will impact state laws concerning the licensing procedures for pharmacists and technicians, specifically those related to fee structures. With this enactment, military spouses in Louisiana will benefit from enhanced access to employment in pharmacy-related fields, which could improve their economic situation and provide more consistent career paths. The waiver is intended to symbolize the state's commitment to recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by military families, potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives in other professional licensing areas beyond pharmacy.
Summary
House Bill 150 aims to support military spouses by allowing the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to waive the renewal fees for licenses and certifications for pharmacists and technicians who are married to active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces. This legislative measure recognizes the unique challenges faced by military families, particularly the frequent relocations that can disrupt their professional credentials and employment opportunities. By alleviating the financial burden associated with license renewals, the bill seeks to facilitate the integration of military spouses into the workforce, thereby promoting stability in their careers.
Sentiment
General sentiment regarding HB150 is positive, with unanimous support during the voting process, as reflected in the Senate's final passage vote, which showed 34 in favor and none against. This strong endorsement suggests that lawmakers recognize the importance of initiatives that support military families. The bill is viewed as a small but significant step toward acknowledging the challenges faced by military spouses, presenting a bipartisan effort to create a more inclusive environment within the state workforce.
Contention
While there appears to be broad support for the bill, some potential contention could arise regarding the administration of the waiver process by the Board of Pharmacy. Questions may emerge concerning eligibility verification and the potential increase in administrative workload for the board. Additionally, there may be discussions around the precedent set by waiving fees for specific groups, which could lead to calls for broader reforms in the licensing practices for other professions that may also serve military families.
Authorizes the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to waive annual renewal requirements for pharmacist licenses and technician certifications for individuals serving in active duty in the military service. (8/1/12) (EN NO IMPACT SG RV See Note)
Authorizes the La. Board of Pharmacy to charge fees for permitting of pharmacy benefit managers and provides for the frequency with which the board may assess other fees (RE +$20,000 SG RV See Note)
Adds a fee at license renewal for pharmacists and pharmacies and dedicates proceeds to certain pharmacy education programs (EN INCREASE SG RV See Note)
Authorizes occupational licensing boards to approve the use of out-of-state licenses for spouses of military personnel while stationed in Louisiana (OR SEE FISC NOTE SG RV)
Providing that military spouses of active military servicemembers shall be exempted from all occupational licensing, registration and certification fees.