HB 1492 Summary

• Amends criminal conviction standards across 13 professional licensing acts to apply a 5-year lookback period for felony convictions and require crimes to "substantially relate" to the occupation or "pose a reasonable threat" to public safety.

• Defines "substantially relates" as criminal conduct having direct bearing on fitness to perform occupation duties, and "poses a reasonable threat" as conduct involving harm against another with bearing on fitness to serve the public.

• Applies uniform standards to architects, cosmetologists, engineers, athletic trainers, real estate appraisers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, pawnbrokers, speech-language pathologists, professional counselors, marital/family therapists, and behavioral health practitioners.

• Removes outdated language requiring "certified copies of court records" for conviction evidence in some professions while standardizing disciplinary procedures.

• Effective date: November 1, 2015.