MD
Maryland Senate Bill SB222

Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB222 Compare Versions

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1- WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
21
3-– 1 –
4-Chapter 49
5-(Senate Bill 222)
62
7-AN ACT concerning
3+EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4+ [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5+ Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6+ Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7+amendment.
8+ *sb0222*
89
9-State Board of Environmental Health Specialists – Quorum, Examination, and
10-Apprenticeships
10+SENATE BILL 222
11+J2 4lr0167
12+ (PRE–FILED) CF 4lr0168
13+By: Chair, Finance Committee (By Request – Departmental – Health)
14+Requested: September 13, 2023
15+Introduced and read first time: January 10, 2024
16+Assigned to: Finance
17+Committee Report: Favorable
18+Senate action: Adopted
19+Read second time: February 3, 2024
1120
12-FOR the purpose of clarifying that a quorum of the State Board of Environmental Health
13-Specialists consists of a majority of appointed members; altering the circumstances
14-under which an applicant for licensure is qualified to take the examination by adding
15-completion of an apprenticeship approved by the Board as an alternative to obtaining
16-experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program; authorizing
17-the Board to approve an examination provider to administer the examination, rather
18-than administering the examination itself; and generally relating to the State Board
19-of Environmental Health Specialists.
21+CHAPTER ______
2022
21-BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
22- Article – Health Occupations
23-Section 21–101(a)
24- Annotated Code of Maryland
25- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
23+AN ACT concerning 1
2624
27-BY adding to
28- Article – Health Occupations
29-Section 21–101(a–1)
30- Annotated Code of Maryland
31- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
25+State Board of Environmental Health Specialists – Quorum, Examination, and 2
26+Apprenticeships 3
3227
33-BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
34- Article – Health Occupations
35-Section 21–204(a), 21–301(b)(1), 21–304, and 21–305
36- Annotated Code of Maryland
37- (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
28+FOR the purpose of clarifying that a quorum of the State Board of Environmental Health 4
29+Specialists consists of a majority of appointed members; altering the circumstances 5
30+under which an applicant for licensure is qualified to take the examination by adding 6
31+completion of an apprenticeship approved by the Board as an alternative to obtaining 7
32+experience in an environmental health specialist–in–training program; authorizing 8
33+the Board to approve an examination provider to administer the examination, rather 9
34+than administering the examination itself; and generally relating to the State Board 10
35+of Environmental Health Specialists. 11
3836
39- SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
40-That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
37+BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 12
38+ Article – Health Occupations 13
39+Section 21–101(a) 14
40+ Annotated Code of Maryland 15
41+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 16
4142
42-Article – Health Occupations
43+BY adding to 17
44+ Article – Health Occupations 18
45+Section 21–101(a–1) 19
46+ Annotated Code of Maryland 20
47+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 21
48+ 2 SENATE BILL 222
4349
44-21–101.
4550
46- (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
47- Ch. 49 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
51+BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 1
52+ Article – Health Occupations 2
53+Section 21–204(a), 21–301(b)(1), 21–304, and 21–305 3
54+ Annotated Code of Maryland 4
55+ (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 5
4856
49-– 2 –
50- (A–1) “APPRENTICESHIP ” MEANS A PROGRAM OF T RAINING AND EXPERIEN CE
51-UNDER THE SUPERVISIO N OF A LICENSED ENVI RONMENTAL HEALTH SPE CIALIST
52-THAT IS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOARD–APPROVED BACCALAUREATE
53-DEGREE FROM AN ACCRE DITED COLLEGE OR UNI VERSITY.
57+ SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 6
58+That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 7
5459
55-21–204.
60+Article – Health Occupations 8
5661
57- (a) A majority of the APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE Board is a quorum TO DO
58-BUSINESS.
62+21–101. 9
5963
60-21–301.
64+ (a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
6165
62- (b) This section does not apply to:
66+ (A–1) “APPRENTICESHIP ” MEANS A PROGRAM OF T RAINING AND EXP ERIENCE 11
67+UNDER THE SUPERVISIO N OF A LICENSED ENVI RONMENTAL HEALTH SPE CIALIST 12
68+THAT IS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A BOARD–APPROVED BACCALAUREA TE 13
69+DEGREE FROM AN ACCRE DITED COLLEGE OR UNI VERSITY. 14
6370
64- (1) An environmental health specialist–in–training PARTICIPATING IN
65-AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEA LTH SPECIALIST –IN–TRAINING PROGRAM OR AN
66-INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPA TING IN AN APPRENTIC ESHIP as provided for under § 21–305 of
67-this subtitle;
71+21–204. 15
6872
69-21–304.
73+ (a) A majority of the APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE Board is a quorum TO DO 16
74+BUSINESS. 17
7075
71- (a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for licensure is entitled to be examined
72-as provided in this section.
76+21–301. 18
7377
74- (b) An applicant qualifies to take the examination if the applicant:
78+ (b) This section does not apply to: 19
7579
76- (1) (i) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a
77-baccalaureate degree that includes:
80+ (1) An environmental health specialist–in–training PARTICIPATING IN 20
81+AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEA LTH SPECIALIST –IN–TRAINING PROGRAM OR AN 21
82+INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPA TING IN AN APPRENTICESHIP as provided for under § 21–305 of 22
83+this subtitle; 23
7884
79- 1. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent
80-quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences
81-acceptable to the Board;
85+21–304. 24
8286
83- 2. A course in mathematics; and
87+ (a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for licensure is entitled to be examined 25
88+as provided in this section. 26
8489
85- 3. Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted
86-by the Board; and
90+ (b) An applicant qualifies to take the examination if the applicant: 27
8791
88- (ii) Has [obtained]:
92+ (1) (i) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a 28
93+baccalaureate degree that includes: 29
94+ SENATE BILL 222 3
8995
90- 1. OBTAINED 12 months of experience in an environmental
91-health specialist–in–training program approved by the Board; or
9296
93- 2. COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP APP ROVED BY THE
94-BOARD; OR WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
97+ 1. A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent 1
98+quarter credit hours of chemical, physical, biological, and environmental sciences 2
99+acceptable to the Board; 3
95100
96-– 3 –
101+ 2. A course in mathematics; and 4
97102
98- (2) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a master’s
99-degree in public or environmental health science that includes:
103+ 3. Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted 5
104+by the Board; and 6
100105
101- (i) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit
102-hours of chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences acceptable to the Board
103-and obtained at the baccalaureate or master’s level;
106+ (ii) Has [obtained]: 7
104107
105- (ii) A course in mathematics;
108+ 1. OBTAINED 12 months of experience in an environmental 8
109+health specialist–in–training program approved by the Board; or 9
106110
107- (iii) 3 months of internship approved by the Board if not previously
108-completed; and
111+ 2. COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP APP ROVED BY THE 10
112+BOARD; OR 11
109113
110- (iv) Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted by the
111-Board.
114+ (2) Has graduated from an accredited college or university with a master’s 12
115+degree in public or environmental health science that includes: 13
112116
113- (c) (1) This subsection does not alter the requirement that an applicant
114-demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate or master’s degree to qualify for examination.
117+ (i) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter credit 14
118+hours of chemical, physical, biological, or environmental sciences acceptable to the Board 15
119+and obtained at the baccalaureate or master’s level; 16
115120
116- (2) The Board may waive any of the specific course requirements for an
117-applicant to qualify for examination in subsection (b) of this section if the Board determines
118-that an applicant:
121+ (ii) A course in mathematics; 17
119122
120- (i) Has obtained an equivalent number of credit hours in a course
121-relevant to practice as an environmental health specialist; or
123+ (iii) 3 months of internship approved by the Board if not previously 18
124+completed; and 19
122125
123- (ii) Has work experience that is an acceptable substitute for a course
124-required in subsection (b) of this section.
126+ (iv) Laboratory coursework as required in regulations adopted by the 20
127+Board. 21
125128
126- (d) The examination required by the Board shall include a written examination
127-in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences that relates to practices and
128-principles of environmental health.
129+ (c) (1) This subsection does not alter the requirement that an applicant 22
130+demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate or master’s degree to qualify for examination. 23
129131
130- (e) The Board shall [administer]:
132+ (2) The Board may waive any of the specific course requirements for an 24
133+applicant to qualify for examination in subsection (b) of this section if the Board determines 25
134+that an applicant: 26
131135
132- (1) ADMINISTER examinations to applicants at least once a year, at the
133-times and places that the Board determines; OR
136+ (i) Has obtained an equivalent number of credit hours in a course 27
137+relevant to practice as an environmental health specialist; or 28
134138
135- (2) APPROVE AN EXAMINATIO N PROVIDER TO ADMINI STER THE
136-EXAMINATION TO APPLI CANTS.
139+ (ii) Has work experience that is an acceptable substitute for a course 29
140+required in subsection (b) of this section. 30
141+ 4 SENATE BILL 222
137142
138- [(f) The Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of
139-examination.]
140143
141- [(g)] (F) [The] IF THE BOARD ADMINISTERS THE EXAMINATION , THE Board
142-shall: Ch. 49 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
144+ (d) The examination required by the Board shall include a written examination 1
145+in the physical, biological, and environmental sciences that relates to practices and 2
146+principles of environmental health. 3
143147
144-– 4 –
148+ (e) The Board shall [administer]: 4
145149
146- (1) NOTIFY EACH QUALIFIED APPLICANT OF THE TIM E AND PLACE OF
147-THE EXAMINATION ;
150+ (1) ADMINISTER examinations to applicants at least once a year, at the 5
151+times and places that the Board determines; OR 6
148152
149- [(1)] (2) Determine the subjects, scope, form, and passing score for
150-examinations; and
153+ (2) APPROVE AN EXAMINATIO N PROVIDER TO ADMINI STER THE 7
154+EXAMINATION TO APPLI CANTS. 8
151155
152- [(2)] (3) Use professional examinations prepared by recognized
153-examination agencies.
156+ [(f) The Board shall notify each qualified applicant of the time and place of 9
157+examination.] 10
154158
155- (G) IF A BOARD–APPROVED EXAMINATION PROVIDER ADMINISTERS THE
156-EXAMINATION , THE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY EA CH QUALIFIED APPLICA NT OF THE
157-REGISTRATION PROCE DURE FOR THE EXAMINA TION.
159+ [(g)] (F) [The] IF THE BOARD ADMINISTERS THE EXAMINATION , THE Board 11
160+shall: 12
158161
159- (h) An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination as
160-provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board.
162+ (1) NOTIFY EACH QUALIFIED APPLICANT OF THE TIM E AND PLACE OF 13
163+THE EXAMINATION ; 14
161164
162- (i) The Board may waive any examination requirement under this section if the
163-Board recognizes the applicant as being outstanding in the field of environmental health.
165+ [(1)] (2) Determine the subjects, scope, form, and passing score for 15
166+examinations; and 16
164167
165-21–305.
168+ [(2)] (3) Use professional examinations prepared by recognized 17
169+examination agencies. 18
166170
167- The Board shall adopt regulations that include:
171+ (G) IF A BOARD–APPROVED EXAMINATION PROVIDER ADMINISTERS THE 19
172+EXAMINATION , THE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY EA CH QUALIFIED APPLICA NT OF THE 20
173+REGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR THE EX AMINATION. 21
168174
169- (1) (i) The establishment of an environmental health
170-specialist–in–training program for applicants to obtain the necessary experience to qualify
171-to take the examination; and
175+ (h) An applicant who fails an examination may retake the examination as 22
176+provided in the rules and regulations adopted by the Board. 23
172177
173- (ii) A condition that a person may not participate in an
174-environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 3 years, unless granted
175-an extension by the Board; [and]
178+ (i) The Board may waive any examination requirement under this section if the 24
179+Board recognizes the applicant as being outstanding in the field of environmental health. 25
176180
177- (2) (i) The establishment of a seasonal environmental health
178-specialist–in–training program for individuals to be temporarily employed as
179-environmental health specialists; and
181+21–305. 26
180182
181- (ii) A condition that an individual may not participate in a seasonal
182-environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 6 months within a
183-consecutive 12–month period; AND
183+ The Board shall adopt regulations that include: 27
184184
185- (3) (I) THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF AN
186-APPRENTICESHIP ; AND
185+ (1) (i) The establishment of an environmental health 28
186+specialist–in–training program for applicants to obtain the necessary experience to qualify 29
187+to take the examination; and 30
188+ SENATE BILL 222 5
187189
188- (II) THE MINIMUM AND MAXIM UM DURATION OF AN
189-APPRENTICESHIP . WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 49
190190
191-– 5 –
191+ (ii) A condition that a person may not participate in an 1
192+environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 3 years, unless granted 2
193+an extension by the Board; [and] 3
192194
193- SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
194-October 1, 2024.
195+ (2) (i) The establishment of a seasonal environmental health 4
196+specialist–in–training program for individuals to be temporarily employed as 5
197+environmental health specialists; and 6
195198
196-Approved by the Governor, April 9, 2024.
199+ (ii) A condition that an individual may not participate in a seasonal 7
200+environmental health specialist–in–training program for more than 6 months within a 8
201+consecutive 12–month period; AND 9
202+
203+ (3) (I) THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BOARD APPROVAL OF AN 10
204+APPRENTICESHIP ; AND 11
205+
206+ (II) THE MINIMUM AND MAXIM UM DURATION OF AN 12
207+APPRENTICESHIP . 13
208+
209+ SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 14
210+October 1, 2024. 15
211+
212+
213+
214+Approved:
215+________________________________________________________________________________
216+ Governor.
217+________________________________________________________________________________
218+ President of the Senate.
219+________________________________________________________________________________
220+ Speaker of the House of Delegates.