This bill proposes amendments to the Code of West Virginia regarding the regulation of occupations and professions, specifically focusing on the review process conducted by the Performance Evaluation and Research Division of the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for an application analysis concerning the scope of practice for both unregulated professions and existing occupational licenses. Additionally, the bill eliminates the stipulation that the scope of practice must be interpreted narrowly when determining whether a profession should be regulated. The amendments aim to streamline the application process for regulating unregulated professions and to clarify the criteria for evaluating existing occupational licenses.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the responsibilities of the Performance Evaluation and Research Division, emphasizing the need for a rebuttable presumption that market competition sufficiently protects consumers. It also mandates that the Division's analysis must consider various factors, including the potential harms to consumers and the least restrictive regulatory options available. The bill reinforces the importance of public benefit and the necessity of regulation while allowing for a broader interpretation of occupational regulations to promote economic opportunities and innovation. Overall, the proposed changes are intended to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of occupational regulation in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 30-1A-2, 30-1A-3, 30-1A-5, 30-1A-6