SF2939 Summary

• Removes unnecessary criminal background check fees for physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, respiratory therapists, genetic counselors, and dentists by striking the $32 fee from licensing boards' fee schedules.

• Modernizes occupational therapy regulations by clarifying scope of practice, streamlining licensure pathways (including licensure by equivalency), and updating supervision requirements and terminology throughout the licensing framework.

• Comprehensively reorganizes social work licensing by creating new emeritus active and temporary leave license statuses, establishing clearer application procedures, adding three new licensure-by-endorsement pathways, and updating continuing education requirements and record-keeping standards.

• Modifies dental licensing requirements by allowing wallet-sized and mini-licenses for non-primary practice locations and guest volunteer dentists, and making technical corrections to display and certification requirements.

• Permits retired PERA and MSRS members to continue receiving retirement annuities while employed as health care workers during COVID-19 peacetime emergencies, with temporary exemptions from hour limitations and contribution requirements under phased retirement and postretirement option programs.