Task force debates timing of background checks, provisional licenses and ‘good moral character’ definition

The licensing task force’s barriers subcommittee presented an eight-topic work plan and a schedule for deeper review, with portability and reciprocity slated first and reentry and rural barriers scheduled for July.

The subcommittee co-chair, Director Strauss, said members had used public comment and a member poll to prioritize topics and would examine options such as provisional licenses and administrative rule changes in addition to statutory fixes. "If there are recommendations around administrative rule change or as simple as process change at the department, we would like to know those as well," the commissioner said, asking staff to capture rule-level fixes.

Members pressed on background-check timing. A nurse member said background checks often occur late in licensure processes, creating wasted work when an applicant later fails clearance; others warned doing checks up-front increases cost and may screen out candidates prematurely. Director Strauss said the committee would bring options on timing and potential efficiencies back for consideration.

The group also returned repeatedly to the statutory phrase "good moral character." Representative Sechinger said the panel was considering whether to define the term in statute or remove it, noting that an undefined standard can be unpredictable for applicants. Other members urged caution: nursing board members warned that even rare harms (for example with cosmetology or clinical practice) justify careful review before eliminating safeguards.

The committee discussed fingerprinting duplication for multi-license holders and whether states’ prior determinations of a licensee as a "good actor" could be used to shorten repeat vetting. Several members urged clearer public guidance for applicants so people know early whether they should pursue a licensure path.

Next steps: staff will document these options and bring recommendations to the barriers subcommittee; the co-chairs confirmed May 8 as their next meeting. The task force did not take a formal vote on any policy change at this meeting.