​Subject: Governor Wolf Proposes Job Licensing Reform to Cut Red Tape, Strengthen Workforce
 
               
WHAT: Governor Wolf Outlines Occupational Licensing Reforms
WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 2018; 2:30 PM
WHERE: Wilkes Barre Career & Technical Center, 350 Jumper Rd., Plains Township
LIVE STREAM: www.governor.pa.gov/live
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2018
View Online
 
Governor Wolf Proposes Job Licensing Reform to Cut Red Tape,
and Strengthen Workforce
Plains Township, PA – Building on his commitment to make state government more responsive to Pennsylvania’s growing economy, Governor Tom Wolf is calling for reforms to several job licensing boards and the licensing requirements to remove barriers to employment so skilled workers can enter the careers of their choice, strengthen the workforce, and grow our economy.

“Pennsylvania must be a place where people can put their skills, experience and education to work,” said Governor Wolf. “Requiring a government license to work in certain jobs helps to keep all of us safe, but those requirements should be fair.

“We must cut the red tape, reduce the bureaucracy and ensure overly burdensome rules and fees do not block hardworking people – especially our military spouses – from getting a good job, supporting their families and growing our economy.”

Nationwide, the share of workers needing a license has grown five-fold since the early 1950s, with most of the increase occurring as states require more professions to be licensed. Today, one in five Pennsylvania workers needs a government license to do their job, representing more than one million workers.

Over-licensing makes it harder for skilled workers to get into a profession, reducing their career opportunities and lowering their pay, while increasing costs to consumers. After decades of expanding licensing, there is a national awareness of the need to modernize job licensing to reduce restrictions while protecting consumers and benefiting workers.

Last year, Governor Wolf signed an Executive Order directing the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs within the Department of State to conduct a review of job licensing to compare Pennsylvania with our regional states. The governor’s proposals are the result of the final report.

Eliminate 13 Job Licenses
The governor called on the General Assembly to repeal 13 job licenses and replace them with less restrictive requirements that protect the public for the following:

• Auctioneers, only require registration and bonding.
• Barbers, only require certification from a licensed barber school, passage of examination, minimum hours of training, and registration with the State Board of Barber Examiners.
• Cemetery Broker/Cemetery Salesperson, only require passage of relevant examination, 60 hours of instruction and registration.
• Campground Membership Salesperson, only require registration with the State Real Estate Commission.
• Natural Hair Braiding License, eliminate this license.
• Orthotic fitter/Orthotist/Pedorthist/Prosthetist, only require credentialing, passage of an education program, training, and minimum hours of training.
• Practitioner of Oriental Medicine, maintain existing, but separate acupuncturist licensing requirement to protect public health and safety.
• Rental Listing Referral Agent, only require registration with the State Real Estate Commission.
• Vehicle Factory Representative, only require registration with the State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers, and Salespersons.

Ease Relocation for Military Spouses
Licensing requirements can make it harder for workers to move across state lines, particularly for military spouses who have burdens transferring their license to Pennsylvania. The governor will work with the General Assembly to streamline the process for military spouses and pass legislation allowing licensing boards to seek reciprocity agreements with other states and grant licensure through endorsement.

“Military spouses serve our country with their selfless support of their loved ones in uniform, and they face numerous challenges along the way,” said Col. Edwards S. Little, Jr., representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “In Pennsylvania, one of those challenges is license portability, making it difficult for many military spouses to find employment. That is why the governor’s initiative to break down employment barriers by supporting the Military Spouse License Portability Act in our commonwealth is so important.”

Balance Education and Training Requirements
While continuing education has benefits to workers and consumers, over-regulating through unnecessary training can create undue burdens and costs. The governor is directing each licensing board to amend its continuing education regulations to levels established in state law. Additionally, the governor will work to enact legislation reducing training requirements for cosmetologists from 1,250 to 1,000 as recommended by the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition, the national organization representing students, licensed stylists, salon owners, manufacturers, distributors, and cosmetology schools.

Provide Second Chance Reform
To level the playing field compared to our regional states, the governor is calling for a repeal of the automatic 10-year ban on licensing for anyone convicted of a drug felony. Instead, the 13 boards with the statutory ban could consider criminal history, but it would not be conclusive of a person’s fitness for a job. Removing this barrier encourages people to work, which reduces crime and recidivism, making our communities safer.
​
Speed Up Occupational License Process
The Governor’s Office of Performance Through Excellence will review the licensing applications process to reduce reviews to no more than 10 days, absent extenuating circumstances.
 
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10 Signs You Have Been Exposed To Toxic Mold!

In every household mold is a huge issue and as it grows everywhere and leads to numerous health complications. Mold often grows under the sink, in the basement, at the shower curtain, in the corners, in drywall, in leaking walls, etc.
Even Christmas trees can breed mold, giving off millions of spores into the room and leading to winter allergies and asthma attacks. After two weeks, the indoor air quality dropped six-fold due to the Christmas tree decoration.

Mold can be of 1,000 types,
and experts classify them according to the effects they have on people:

• Toxigenic Molds:

These molds produce mycotoxins which lead to severe health effects, like immunosuppression and cancer. The toxic chemicals in these mold types are absorbed as soon as they are inhaled, touched, or ingested.

• Allergenic Molds:

These molds are the least dangerous ones, and children are more prone to these allergies. They aggravate the asthma symptoms and lead to problems in people with a predisposed allergy to the specific mold.

• Pathogenic Molds:

Pathogenic molds lead to infections and are extremely dangerous in the case of a weak immune system. People exposed to these mold types develop an acute response similar to bacterial pneumonia.

5 most common indoor molds:

• Aspergillus: This mold is an occupant of house dust, and is often found in warm, extremely damp climates. It produces mycotoxins and results in lung infections.
• Stachybotrys: This is an extremely toxic “black mold” that produces mycotoxins which lead to various health issues, such as serious breathing difficulties and bleeding of the lungs. It is commonly found on paper and wood, and not on tiles, linoleum, or concrete.
• Alternaria: This mold type is often found in the mouth, nose, and upper respiratory tract, and results in allergic responses.
• Penicillium: It can often be found on the carpet, wallpapers, decaying fabrics, and fiberglass duct insulation, and leads to asthma and allergies. Some species, like the antibiotic penicillin, produce mycotoxins
• Cladosporium: This common outdoor fungus grows on wood, textiles, and other damp, porous materials, and causes asthma-like symptoms and fever.

Mold illness is a set of various health issues which are caused by the exposure to mold.

 “Although a mold allergy is the most common problem caused by exposure to mold, mold can cause illness without an allergic reaction. Mold can also cause infections or irritant and toxic reactions. Infections caused by mold can lead to a variety of problems from flu-like symptoms to skin infections and even pneumonia. “

Mold toxicity is considered a Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and represents another serious health issue. According to Leading Authorities,  Surviving Mold is a Dangerous Journey, CIRS is:

“an acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and Mycobacterium as well as inflammagens…”

Most common symptoms of mold illness:

• Eye Problems like Red Eyes or Light Sensitivity
• Headaches, Brain Fog, Memory Problems, Trouble Focusing
• Tingling sensation and numbness
• Unexplained Muscle Cramps and pain, joint pain, Persistent Nerve Pain
• Asthma and Sinus issues such as coughs or Shortness of Breath
• Digestive Issues such as diarrhea, nausea, appetite loss, Abdominal Pain
• Vertigo and tremors
• Temperature Regulation or Night Sweats
• Weakness and fatigue
• Excessive Thirst and Increased Urination

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To: To: Pennsylvania State Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure CommitteeVOTE NO ON PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL 834 (NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR PRACTICE ACT).

Why is this important?
Legislation May Affect Choices in Pennsylvania's Naturopathic Care
We are urging citizens to contact their state representatives to vote “no” on proposed senate bill 834, introduced this past July. The bill would repeal Act 128, which Governor Tom Wolf signed into law November 2016. 

The law requires registration of practitioners in the naturopathic field. Act 128 is an amendment to HB 516, which would regulate naturopathic doctors, set education and training requirements and allows only those that meet those qualifications to present themselves as “naturopathic doctors” or a “doctor of naturopathic medicine”. Bill 834 includes much of the licensing requirements and penalties originally presented in HB 516.

“Basically, there’s a select group that qualifies themselves as ‘naturopathic physicians’ claiming that they are medically trained, and they want exclusivity with the title ‘naturopathic doctor,’” 
This law could adversely affect consumer choice and access to natural products and could also put 250 practicing Traditional Naturopaths out of business.
​
The issue is a group trying to claim that these natural products and natural foods and herbs are medicine, and it will make it more difficult for consumers to access preventative care. Prevention is what traditional naturopathy is—an educational model teaching clients about health and laws of nature, rather than diagnosing and prescribing.

An article from Pa's Natural Awakenings Magazine, Dec 2017

http://philly.cityvoter.com/edwards-holistic-health-and-wellness/biz/707847