Washington HB 1361: Creating the Washington effective licensing port and eliminating various occupational licensure and certification requirements.

Bill Text

H-0619.4

HOUSE BILL 1361

State of Washington

65th Legislature

2017 Regular Session

By Representative Manweller

Read first time 01/18/17. Referred to Committee on Business & Financial Services.

AN ACT Relating to eliminating various occupational licensure and certification requirements through creation of a state review web site; amending RCW 18.11.050, 18.11.070, 18.11.085, 18.11.095, 18.11.160, 18.11.200, 18.11.220, 18.11.240, 18.16.020, 18.16.050, 18.16.060, 18.16.130, 18.16.170, 18.16.175, 18.16.190, 18.16.200, 18.16.290, 18.96.010, 18.96.020, 18.96.030, 18.240.005, 18.240.010, 18.240.020, 67.08.100, 77.65.010, 77.65.480, 77.65.490, 18.92.060, and 77.65.440; reenacting and amending RCW 77.65.370; adding a new section to chapter 67.08 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; repealing RCW 18.11.060, 18.11.121, 18.11.130, 18.11.140, 18.11.170, 18.11.180, 18.11.190, 18.11.205, 18.11.210, 18.11.270, 18.11.280, 18.96.040, 18.96.060, 18.96.070, 18.96.080, 18.96.090, 18.96.100, 18.96.110, 18.96.120, 18.96.140, 18.96.150, 18.96.180, 18.96.190, 18.96.200, 18.96.210, 18.96.230, 18.240.030, 18.240.050, 18.240.060, 18.240.070, 18.240.080, 18.240.090, and 77.65.560; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Department" means the department of licensing.

(2) "Registered individual" means an individual performing one or more of the occupations listed in section 2 of this act who has met the registration requirements with Washington effective licensing port.

(3) "Washington effective licensing port" means the web site created by the department for purposes of registering individuals working in one or more of the occupations listed in section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Any individual working in the state in one or more of the following occupations must have an active registration profile on the Washington effective licensing port web site:

(1) Animal massage;

(2) Auctioneer;

(3) Boxing announcer;

(4) Food fish or game fishing guide, or both;

(5) Landscape architect;

(6) Manicurist; and

(7) Horse floater.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department shall create a comprehensive and user-friendly web site for public comment on and review of all individuals working in one or more of the occupations listed in section 2 of this act. The department may contract with outside vendors and experts to assist in the development of the web site. The web site must allow any individual working in one or more of the occupations in section 2 of this act to register and create a profile that lists business contact information and allows for public comment and review of that individual's service. The web site must also allow any individual working in one or more of the occupations in section 2 of this act who registers and creates a profile on the web site to include information about any training, degrees, or certificates that the individual holds. The department may charge a fee of no more than twenty-five dollars for the individual's first creation of their profile. The web site must allow any member of the public to view postings regarding registered individuals and allow consumers to post reviews of registered individuals. The consumer's post must include a "star" rating on a scale of one to five stars, with five stars being the highest rating of service, and the consumer must be allowed to post additional comments if they choose. Prior to posting a review, the web site should require the consumer to attest that they actually received services from the registered individual and that the information provided in the review is accurate to his or her knowledge. The consumer must attest by checking a box provided on the web site. The web site should include a searchable list of all registered individuals in each occupational category, with links to any enforcement actions by the department. The web site should list contact information for the department so as to facilitate complaints against individuals performing work in the above-referenced occupations that are not registered with Washington effective licensing port.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The department is authorized to take one or more of the actions listed in subsection (2) of this section in any case in which the department finds that an individual has:

(a) Performed work in which he or she should be registered with Washington effective licensing port under section 2 of this act, but failed or refused to comply with the registration requirements; or

(b) Failed or refused to post their current star rating in a conspicuous place at their location of business within the previous three hundred sixty-four days. The department shall determine the form of posting of the current star rating.

(2) When authorized by subsection (1) of this section, the department may take one or mor