Bill Summary: HB 6596

• Commissioner of Administrative Services must conduct a study on manager salaries in state agencies by February 1, 2022, and report findings to the joint standing committees on labor and public employees and appropriations.

• Modifies occupational licensing regulations for multiple professions to require that felony convictions only result in automatic license denial or revocation if the felony is "reasonably related" to the person's ability to safely or competently perform the job, rather than automatic disqualification for any felony conviction.

• Applies the "reasonably related" felony standard to social workers, professional counselors, art therapists, dietitian-nutritionists, estheticians, eyelash technicians, nail technicians, accountants, engineers, contractors, home inspectors, pest control applicators, arborists, security officers, and alcoholic beverage permit holders.

• Carves out exceptions for embalmers, funeral directors, barbers, and hairdressers/cosmeticians, which retain automatic disqualification for certain felony convictions unrelated to professional competence.

• Effective dates: Section 1 from passage; Sections 2-23 effective October 1, 2021.