Missouri investigates daycare for allegedly providing medicated substances to children

A childcare facility in Missouri has been accused of giving children medicated substances, some reportedly too young to chew solid food, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) documents obtained by a local news outlet. The DESE suspended a daycare’s operating license in Linn, MO, following an investigation that determined daycare staff administered unknown medications to children to calm them at naptime including gummies and a “powder” in the milk of children unable to chew. In the daycare’s kitchen, investigators found “mounds of gummies” within reach of children. Read more at KRCG 13.

Bill axes licensure requirement for hair braiding in Idaho

Idaho’s natural hair braiders may now work in the state without fear of criminal charges or fines, courtesy of a new bill. Previously, braiding hair without a license was considered a misdemeanor and could incur heavy fines. Before this new law, Idaho was among only five states where braiders are not exempt from required cosmetology licenses. This confounded critics, who argued that traditional, all-natural African hair braiding differs greatly from Western-style cosmetology, which often uses dangerous chemicals. Further, while Idaho required a license for braiding, it exempted other cosmetic practices like microblading and tattooing. Obtaining a license in cosmetology in Idaho requires at least 1,600 hours of classes and generally costs over $16,000 – in a state that doesn’t ask cosmetology schools to teach African hair braiding and does not feature braiding skills on practical exams. Read more at Forbes.

Iowa insurance agent’s license revoked after multiple fines and suspensions

A former insurance agent is now permanently barred from selling insurance, a move that follows three previous license suspensions for the Iowa man. The state’s insurance commissioner revoked the man’s insurance producer license and ordered him to pay $30,000 in civil penalties for violating a 2019 enforcement order. His firm, Retirement Solutions Group, was once based in Iowa and had recently relocated to Tennessee and in 1982 his insurance license was suspended for one year and subsequently placed on probation for two years for reportedly converting customers’ policy premiums to his own personal use. Read more at Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Pennsylvania extends regulatory waivers one more time

Pennsylvania has extended the suspension of over 240 state regulations that affect everything from professional licensing to unemployment hearings. The bill passed the General Assembly unanimously and will keep in place waivers that govern everything from professional licensing to unemployment hearings until June 30, 2022. This marks the third time regulatory suspension has been approved in the state since voters supported an expanded disaster-response role for legislators last year. As a more permanent solution is sought, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff suggested in a statement that “if regulations can be waived or suspended for two years, it begs to ask should these suspensions be made permanent.” Read more at the Pennsylvania Capital-Star and review the individual suspended regulations here.

New telehealth bill, compact would allow out-of-state therapists to practice in New Hampshire

In response to the global pandemic shifting counseling online and creating an influx of patients, New Hampshire is considering a bill that would make virtual counseling more accessible. The bill would give state residents access to licensed counselors from across the U.S. by allowing New Hampshire to join the Counseling Compact, a group of states following unified licensing guidelines that allow mental health counselors to practice across state lines effortlessly. As it stands, those seeking virtual therapy are limited to a shrinking pool of counselors living and licensed in the state, limiting a patient’s ability to access care in a timely manner. Six other states have signed legislation to join the compact while 16 more, such as Maine and New Hampshire, have legislation pending. The Counseling Compact will take effect after 10 states join, something expected to happen later this year. Read more at The Concord Monitor.

Also noteworthy:

• Demand for digital services drives IT modernization efforts (StateTech)
• Biden licensing report is a step backward (The Hill)
• Outdated occupational licensing laws choke Ohio’s labor markets (Cincinnati.com)
• Tennessee’s occupational licensing rules reduce economic opportunity (Tennessean)
• Advancement in technology evident during COVID times for municipal governments (Toronto Star)
• Six steps to responsible AI in the federal government (Brookings)

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