New Hampshire Senate Bill SB185

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25
• Report Pass: 2/20/25
• Report Pass: 3/12/25
• Engrossed: 3/28/25
• Refer: 3/28/25

Caption

Relative to office of professional licensure and certification investigations.

Impact

The implementation of SB185 is anticipated to increase operational efficiency within the OPLC by providing clear deadlines for investigations, hence enhancing accountability and transparency in handling misconduct claims. However, the fiscal implications are noteworthy, as the OPLC will likely need to hire additional personnel, including investigative paralegals and compliance officers, to meet these new demands. This need represents a potential increase in state expenditures exceeding one million dollars in the years following the bill's passage, which may necessitate raising fees across all boards under the OPLC's umbrella to accommodate the added financial burden.

Summary

Senate Bill 185 (SB185) aims to set explicit time limitations on investigations conducted by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) in response to allegations of professional misconduct. Under the provisions of this bill, the OPLC must determine within 30 days whether an allegation states a valid claim. If deemed valid, the OPLC is required to investigate and report findings within 90 days, which significantly streamlines the investigative process compared to previous protocols. Additionally, the bill allows the Board considerable discretion in either concluding or extending investigations should they remain incomplete after the initial 60 days of inquiry.

Contention

While proponents of SB185 argue that it introduces necessary reforms to expedite investigations and improve outcomes for individuals filing complaints, critics express concerns regarding the resource implications and feasibility of meeting the mandated timelines without additional funding or personnel. This has sparked debate among stakeholders about the adequacy of resources currently available to the OPLC and whether the potential increase in regulatory fees may disproportionately affect certain professionals, particularly those in lower-income brackets. Furthermore, the lack of explicit funding authorization within the bill raises questions about the long-term viability of its implementation.