Bill > H317

This bill modifies Chapter 147 of Massachusetts general laws regarding professional licensure and the responsibilities of the Commissioner of Occupational Licensure. The bill expands the commissioner's role to include supervising various boards of registration and examination, with specific duties to recommend changes in examination and business practices and to provide reports to the governor and council. Notably, the bill introduces a new provision that allows the commissioner to consider requests to reduce or eliminate professional licensing standards, but critically restricts the commissioner's unilateral power by requiring majority approval from the specific professional board overseeing the trade or profession in question. This provision appears designed to provide some flexibility in professional licensing requirements while maintaining professional boards' authority to protect standards and public safety in their respective fields.