Apr. 21, 2021
HARRISBURG – The state House today adopted a resolution sponsored by Rep. Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks), to direct the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) to conduct a study on regulatory waivers and suspensions issued by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The mission here is to ensure we get as many people as we can back into this long list of licensed professions,” Polinchock stated. “The study to be conducted will play a vital role in helping us figure out what waivers and suspensions issued by the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs are still needed in each profession.”
House Resolution 88 would direct JSGC to examine regulatory waivers pertaining to license renewal extensions, continuing education requirements, temporary licensure and reactivations for retired professionals. The commission would be required to report its findings and recommendations of which waivers and flexibilities should remain in place an effort to reduce barriers to employment to the state House and Senate Professional Licensure committees.
Although a number of waivers were issued to keep an adequate number of health care providers in Pennsylvania during COVID-19, additional waivers were issued to protect other licensed professionals such as barbers, cosmetologists and realtors, ensuring they were able to continue to work and meet licensure requirements.
The resolution has been adopted unanimously by the state House.
Representative Todd Polinchock
144th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepPolinchock.com /
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