Bill H.588 amends the Vermont statutes concerning the Office of Professional Regulation, enhancing its authority and clarifying the processes for licensing and disciplinary actions. Key provisions include the ability for the Office to rescind licenses due to administrative errors or non-payment of fees, and the establishment of an alternative program for professionals with substance use disorders. The bill also updates the notification process for disciplinary actions, ensuring that complainants are informed of outcomes and have the right to participate in stipulation reviews. Additionally, it modifies licensure definitions and requirements for various professions, including the introduction of a "limited academic dentist license" for full-time dental instructors, which has specific qualifications and restrictions.

Further amendments include changes to the fee structure for dental licenses, with the limited academic dentist license application and renewal fees set at $0.00. The bill also addresses regulations for massage therapists and bodyworkers, requiring establishments to register with the Office and display professional registrations. It expands the definition of unprofessional conduct to include inappropriate sexual conduct with clients and establishes a fee structure for applications and renewals. Moreover, it amends provisions related to criminal background checks for licensure applicants, ensuring transparency about the implications of their criminal history. The effective dates for these changes are staggered, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others at later dates.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-123, 3-128, 3-129a, 3-129b, 3-137, 26-662, 26-105, 13-2638, 26-85, 26-2023, 26-2042a, 26-1211
As Passed By the House -- Official: 3-123, 3-128, 3-129a, 3-129b, 3-137, 26-662, 26-105, 13-2638, 26-85, 26-2023, 26-2042a, 26-1211, 3-129, 26-13, 26-71a, 26-74c, 26-1614, 3-125
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 3-123, 3-129, 3-128, 3-129a, 3-129b, 3-137, 26-13, 26-71a, 26-74c, 26-662, 26-1211, 26-1614, 26-2023, 26-85, 26-105, 3-125, 13-2638
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 3-123, 3-128, 3-129a, 3-129b, 3-137, 26-662, 26-105, 13-2638, 26-85, 26-2023, 26-2042a, 26-1211, 3-129, 26-13, 26-71a, 26-74c, 26-1614, 3-125, 26-2022, 26-1353
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 3-123, 3-129, 3-128, 3-129a, 3-129b, 3-137, 26-13, 26-71a, 26-74c, 26-662, 26-1211, 26-1614, 26-2023, 26-2022, 26-2042a, 26-85, 26-105, 3-125, 13-2638, 26-1353