Apr. 20, 2021
HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett’s (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) bill to ensure Commonwealth policies make it easier rather than harder for people to do business here has been approved by the House Professional Licensure Committee.
House Bill 855 would require the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) to provide individuals seeking to become licensed in Pennsylvania the option of applying by paper application under certain circumstances, rather than using the online PALS licensing system.
Watch discussion of the bill during the committee meeting here.
“Not all of our citizens can or want to process their professional licenses online, and they should not have to,” Owlett said. “I became aware of this issue when an auctioneer in my district called for help after the bureau refused to offer an alternative to its online licensing. They ultimately agreed to help this one time and allowed him to renew his license by paper, but they also said it would be the last time.
“What kind of customer service is that?? Online licensing works great for many people, but not for those who do not have access to a computer or those who have personal convictions against using computers or credit cards. My bill will ensure BPOA meets the needs of all of our hard-working professional licensees,” he added.
Currently, BPOA offers only a religious exemption from use of the PALS system. Owlett does not think it’s fair to put people in the position of either lying about why they don’t want to use the computer system or using a system they are not comfortable with or are simply unable to use.
According to research by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 15% of people residing in Owlett’s 68th Legislative District do not own computers. Statewide, the rate is 12%.
House Bill 855 now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
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