A new bill in the Georgia General Assembly would, if enacted into law, help individuals who relocated from out-of-state obtain a license to practice certain professions and occupations.
State officials could grant expedited licenses to those people — other than dentists, physicians, and osteopaths. This, according to a bill that 12 Georgia legislators filed late last month.
The Georgia General Assembly’s website identifies State Sen. Bruce Thompson (R-White) as the primary sponsor. Thompson and the bill’s other 11 sponsors did not return The Georgia Star News’ requests for comment Wednesday and Thursday.
Under the bill, a professional licensing board or other board shall in the state would issue a license to individuals who meet the following criteria:
• These people moved from another state and established residency in Georgia
• These people hold a current out-of-state license to practice such occupation or profession prior to moving from another state and establishing residency in Georgia
• These people are in good standing in such other state
Members of a professional licensing board in another state are not currently investigating them
• They pass any examination to demonstrate knowledge of Georgia’s laws and rules and regulations as they pertain to the profession
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, a professional licensing board or other board would issue expedited licenses to military spouses as well, according to the bill.
The bill’s other 11 sponsors include State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), State Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), State Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), State Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), and State Sen. Chuck Payne (R-Dalton).
Other bill co-sponsors include State Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), State Sen. Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton), State Sen. Marty Harbin (R-Tyrone), State Sen. Billy Hickman (R-Statesboro), and State Sen. Sheila McNeill (R-Brunswick).
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
