HB 372 - Connick (Occupational Board Compliance Act) is just another version of HB 748 by Rep. Emerson.
UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA, many of the legislators sponsored bills to accomplish what HB 372 sets out to do. HB 372 states: "By establishing and executing the policies provided in this Chapter, THE STATE INTENDS TO ENSURE THAT OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS AND BOARD MEMBERS WILL AVOID LIABILITY UNDER FEDERAL ANTI-TRUST LAWS."
This bill seeks to create a back door into compliance with federal law for each of Louisiana's occupational licensing boards. Is that really what is best for the individual citizens of this state or are our legislators, once again, serving special interests?
This bill creates the Occupational Licensing Review Commission which will be composed of the Governor, Secretary of State and the Attorney General. They will give the APPEARANCE of oversight of the occupational licensing boards of the state as recommended by the Supreme Court's opinion in the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission case. THE COMMISSION WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT. Does this mean they will avoid public oversight? Will they have to follow Open Meetings Law?
OUR LEGISLATORS SHOULD BE WORKNG TO ELIMINATE THE LICENSING OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO A LAWFUL PROFESSION FREE OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.
INSTEAD, HB 372 (Connick) actually seeks to cement the licensing boards into place by narrowing the opportunity of citizens to utilize the courts in protest of restrictions on their fundamental rights.
HB 372 has already passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.
PLEASE, PHONE YOUR SENATOR, AND EMAIL ALL OF THE SENATORS:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Tell Them to Vote NO to HB 372.
Tell Them to Eliminate the Illegal Occupational Licensing Boards Instead!