Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
This bill both uplifts and offends our liberty principles. By cutting licensure fees and allowing licenses to be valid for two years rather than maintaining the current requirement for annual renewal, this bill rolls back some government regulations on this licensed profession. To the extent that there is any dispute that chiropractors are able to offer diagnosis, this legislation also clarifies that chiropractors may diagnose. This clarification is also beneficial. On the other hand, this bill increases regulation by requiring aspiring chiropractors to submit to fingerprinting and background checks. Because this bill both supports and offends our limited government principle we remain neutral.
For a fuller exposition of our views regarding occupational licensure, click here.
For further reading on this issue we recommend a couple excellent resources:
The Institute for Justice has done yeoman’s work in researching the pervasiveness of the licensing problem. Their 2012 national study, License To Work, which gives an in-depth report on the status of licensure in every state, should be required reading for policymakers working on licensure issues.
Guild-Ridden Labor Markets: The Curious Case of Occupational Licensing by Morris M. Kleiner, which describes in easily readable language the history of occupational licensing in the United States, demonstrates the clear connection between licensure and industry protection.