A plan from the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families outlines how to end short-term stays in hotels and other locations for foster children by December 2024. The plan comes after advocacy organizations sued Washington for placing youth in temporary locations, like hotels, offices and cars. According to the Columbian on August 23, Patrick Dowd, director of the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman, said that DCYF no longer places kids in offices or cars, but still uses hotels for “emergency placements.”
A 2023 state occupational licensing index from the Knee Center for Occupational Regulation ranks Massachusetts 11th nationally—with 1st the most burdensome. Massachusetts makes it illegal to work in 189 of the 331 occupations examined, amounting to 40 more than Kansas, the state with the fewest legal barriers to working nationally. Of the 189 occupations that Massachusetts establishes minimum entry requirements for, 21 of those occupations require licensure in 20 states or fewer nationally; some of these occupations include: Osteopathic Acupuncturist (1 state), Home Inspector Associate/Trainee/Intern (2 states) and Apprentice Gas Fitter (5 states).
The Kansas State Board of Education approved teacher licensure changes at their September meeting. The board approved two recommendations, according to a press release from the Kansas State Department of Education. The board removed the Principles of Learning and Teaching pedagogy exam as a requirement for licensure. In addition, the board recommended creating a process to address those educators who complete teacher preparation programs but fail to qualify for a teacher license after two attempts.
New Calif. Legislation Makes Immediate Changes to Certain Licensure Deadlines
Occupational Licensing Hurts Job Prospects for People with Criminal Records
