Labor & Employment (Licensing)

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SKILLS-BASED HIRING ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40 SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SKILLS-BASED HIRING INITIATIVES TO REMOVE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT BY CUTTING RED TAPE AND ADDRESSING WORKFORCE SHORTAGES ACROSS SKILLED JOBS, AND TO INCLUDE AMONG THESE INITIATIVES AN EXPEDITED PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING PROCESS FOR PERSONS LICENSED IN OTHER STATES, APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING THROUGH QUALIFIED APPRENTICESHIPS, AND PUBLIC SECTOR REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AS A PATHWAY TO FULL-TIME PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS OR EMPLOYMENT IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 40-1-35 SO AS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CURRENT AND VALID EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATIONS APPROVED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR OCCUPATIONAL OR PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE IF ALL OTHER APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.