Maryland Senate Bill SB555

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/22
• Refer: 1/31/22

Caption

Occupational Licensing Boards and Commission on Judicial Disabilities - Reporting Disciplinary Activities

Impact

The bill requires all business and health occupation licensing boards to compile and include demographic data in their annual reports concerning disciplinary actions taken against licensees. This data will not only list pertinent information about the demographic backgrounds of those disciplined but will also include details like the type of disciplinary action and the associated penalties, if applicable. Such reporting aims to provide the General Assembly and the Governor with a clearer view of the disciplinary landscape and how it may intersect with different demographic factors.

Summary

Senate Bill 555 aims to enhance transparency and accountability within occupational licensing boards and the Commission on Judicial Disabilities by instituting new reporting requirements. The bill mandates that these boards must include options on their application forms for license, registration, and certification for applicants to provide their gender, race, and ethnicity. This initiative is intended to foster diversity and monitor disciplinary actions based on demographics within the licensed professions.

Contention

While the push for accountability and diversity through SB555 has garnered support from various lawmakers, there are concerns over potential privacy implications and the practicalities of gathering such demographic information. Detractors argue that the bill may inadvertently incentivize biases or lead to misinterpretations of the data collected. Additionally, some stakeholders question the capacity of the boards to manage these new requirements without incurring additional costs or administrative burdens.