This bill establishes time limitations for investigations conducted by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) in response to allegations of professional misconduct. Specifically, it mandates that within 30 days of receiving an allegation, the OPLC must determine if the allegation states a claim of professional misconduct. If the allegation is deemed valid, the OPLC is required to complete the investigation within 90 days and report its findings to the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. If the investigation is incomplete after 90 days, the board may either instruct the OPLC to continue the investigation or make a final determination within an additional 60 days.

The bill also includes provisions for the dismissal of allegations that do not state a claim, requiring the board to review the OPLC's recommendations at its next meeting. Notably, the bill does not provide funding or authorize new positions to accommodate the increased workload anticipated from these statutory time limits, which may necessitate hiring additional staff. The OPLC estimates that compliance with the new requirements could lead to an indeterminable increase in fees for all boards, with potential costs ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000. The effective date for the new investigation timelines is set for March 1, 2026, while other provisions will take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 310:9
As Amended by the Senate: 310:9