Panel backs bill to add state oversight and due‑process protections for health‑licensing boards

The House Committee on Government returned HB 26 60 with a do‑pass recommendation after testimony about long administrative processes and the risk of career‑ending licensing actions absent clear oversight.

The sponsor framed the bill as a response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited antitrust immunity for boards dominated by active market participants and said the measure would preserve board enforcement authority while adding state supervision and clearer timelines. "This bill restores the presumption of innocence in non‑criminal cases," the sponsor said, urging protections for health professionals whose reputations can be damaged during protracted administrative matters.

Multiple witnesses described personal and professional impacts. Dr. Colleen Hubert, a former naturopathic physician, said her case has been tied up for five years with no finding of wrongdoing and alleged serial violations by a licensing board; she urged passage to stop self‑serving actions by competitors on boards. Committee members pressed the sponsor on stakeholder engagement and the bill adopted an amendment to route written investigative reports to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee for oversight.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation (voice and recorded votes) and supporters said the bill aims to balance public safety with due process and to avoid chilling speech or professional participation.