Labor & Employment (Licensing)

HB 2518 ensures DACA recipients who meet all educational and professional requirements for a licensed occupation in the state can obtain a license on the same terms as U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. It prohibits oversight bodies (like licensing boards) from considering immigration status when reviewing applications, requiring evaluations to be based solely on qualifications, education, and competency. The bill directly affects DACA recipients seeking professions requiring state licenses (e.g., healthcare, law, trades) and mandates that their licenses carry identical rights, renewability, and validity periods as those issued to citizens. The law takes effect for all applications submitted on or after August 28, 2026.