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 application process for regulating unregulated professions will now only require a statement of support from at least ten residents of West Virginia, rather than including scope of practice considerations.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the evaluation criteria used by the Performance Evaluation and Research Division when assessing applications for regulation. It emphasizes the need for the least restrictive regulation necessary to protect consumers from significant harm, while also allowing for the possibility of private certification programs. The amendments also clarify that the Division's analysis must consider the impact of regulation on consumer choices, market competition, and other economic factors. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the regulatory process and promote a more flexible approach to occupational licensing in West Virginia.

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