Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dan Hereth and Deputy Secretary Jennifer Garrett are attending the Midwest Occupational Licensing Summit in Chicago. This two-day event marks a continuation of a collaboration that began in Wisconsin two years ago.
Hereth emphasized the importance of the summit, stating, "It’s always great to talk with other licensing and regulatory leaders from across the region." He added that it provides an opportunity to share their work in serving communities and learn from others. Garrett noted, "The common challenges we all face are not bound by state borders," highlighting the need for such gatherings to facilitate learning among states.
The Midwest Occupational Licensing Collaborative was initiated by Wisconsin to bring together regional regulatory leaders. The first summit took place in Madison, with participation from states like Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan. In 2024, Michigan hosted the event in Lansing. This year, Illinois is hosting in Chicago. These summits have led to significant data-sharing agreements between Wisconsin and both Michigan and Indiana.
Participants meet virtually between annual summits to maintain momentum. Hereth expressed enthusiasm about these partnerships: "We’re excited about the partnerships that have grown out of the summit."
Key topics at this year's summit include stakeholder engagement, future healthcare licensing trends, and enhancing cooperation between state, local, and federal government agencies.
DSPS issues over 240 unique licenses and administers various boards regulating professions. It enforces building codes, runs fire prevention programs, and maintains a prescription drug monitoring program crucial for controlling opioid prescriptions. DSPS operates without general fund tax dollars through fees collected for its services.
Information from this article can be found here.
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