Relating to matters under the purview of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing

This bill relates to matters under the purview of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing (DIAL). Under current law, licensing boards under the purview of DIAL that regulate business and commerce-related professions are authorized to adopt standards by reference to a publication that is readily accessible on the internet at no cost by including the internet site in the rule adopting the standard rather than posting the publication itself to the entity’s internet site. The bill applies this generally to DIAL and entities under DIAL’s purview. The bill authorizes DIAL to administratively close complaints that do not allege a violation of Code chapter 10A, a board’s enabling statute, or a rule of a board. The bill also specifies DIAL’s authority over fees established by rule by boards under DIAL’s purview, provided that establishment of a given fee by rule is otherwise authorized by law.88). The bill amends the responsibilities of DIAL’s director to reflect that authorization. The bill also requires DIAL’s director to coordinate investigations relating to compliance with state or federal law if an executive branch entity has entered into an agreement with DIAL to conduct an investigation. The bill grants DIAL’s investigators the powers and authority of a peace officer when conducting such investigations. The bill requires DIAL to keep private information that DIAL receives for purposes of licensure confidential unless authorized to release the information by a court, the lawful custodian, or a person authorized to release the information. The bill eliminates the fee for fire and accident inspections conducted by DIAL and requires DIAL, rather than the department of public safety, to adopt administrative rules governing how parking spaces for persons with disabilities are provided.