Proposal: Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act

[TheSecond]

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​

A MOTION​

To enact a bill to develop a system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications
Introduced into the Council of State of the Union of Democratic States on the DAY of MONTH, YEAR, by @TheSecond
As follows:
​

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RECOGNIZING the importance of facilitating the mobility of skilled professionals within the Union of Democratic States region and fostering cooperation among resident nations;

ACKNOWLEDGING the need to establish a framework for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications to enhance labor market efficiency and promote the exchange of expertise;

BE ENACTED by the Council of State

Section I: Definitions and Title
1. This Act may be referenced as the “Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act”

2. For the purposes of this Act

a. "Professional qualifications" refer to the education, training, certification, or licensure requirements necessary for individuals to practice specific occupations.​

b. "Resident nations" refer to the sovereign states that reside in the Union of Democratic States region.​

Section II: Principles
1. Resident nations shall recognize and accept professional qualifications granted by other resident nations in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

2. Recognition shall be based on the principle of substantial equivalence, ensuring that qualifications from one resident nation are comparable to those from another.

Section III: Mutual Recognition Procedure
1. Resident nations may establish competent authorities responsible for the assessment and recognition of professional qualifications. These authorities shall be responsible for evaluating applications and making determinations of equivalence.

2. The competent authorities shall establish transparent and fair procedures for the recognition process, including submitting necessary documents, evaluation criteria, and timeframes for decision-making.

Section IV: Privacy and Data Protection
1. In the exchange of personal information related to the recognition process and professional qualifications, resident nations and competent authorities shall comply with relevant international and regional data protection and privacy standards.

2. Resident nations shall establish mechanisms for individuals to consent to the exchange of their personal data and be informed about how their data will be used and protected.

3. Competent authorities shall regularly audit and review their data handling practices to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

Section V: Quality Assurance
1. Resident nations are encouraged to collaborate in establishing and maintaining quality assurance mechanisms for professional qualifications. This may include the exchange of information on education and training standards, monitoring of professional conduct, and periodic reviews of recognized qualifications.

Section VI: Disputes
1. Resident nations shall strive to resolve disputes in a timely and amicable manner.

Section VII: Appeal Process
1. Individuals who have applied to have their qualifications recognized and who dispute a recognition decision may file an appeal within a specified timeframe, not exceeding fourteen calendar days from the date of the decision.

2. An independent appeals board of the Professional Mobility Agency shall review appeals impartially.

3. The appeals board shall have the authority to overturn recognition decisions if they find them to be inconsistent with the Act or the principle of substantial equivalence.

4. Decisions of the appeals board shall be final and binding.

Section VIII: Establishment of the Professional Mobility Agency
1. The “Professional Mobility Agency” is hereby established.

2. The Professional Mobility Agency, hereinafter referred to as “PMA,” shall be an independent and impartial entity; overseeing the implementation of this Act, ensuring this Act is carried out legally, ethically, and in the public interest; and ensuring the effective functioning of mutual recognition of professional qualifications among resident nations.

3. Responsibilities:

a. The PMA shall review and approve the establishment of competent authorities by resident nations for the assessment and recognition of professional qualifications;
b. shall monitor the implementation of this Act, receive and assess reports from resident nations, and compile an annual report on the progress and challenges of mutual recognition;
c. shall facilitate cooperation among resident nations in establishing and maintaining quality assurance mechanisms for professional qualifications;
d. shall establish and maintain mutual trust and respect amongst resident nations;
e. may make recommendations to resident nations for improvements to their recognition processes based on international best practices;
f. shall promote public awareness of the mutual recognition framework and the benefits it offers to professionals and the labor market.
g. may collaborate with relevant international organizations and stakeholders to further the objectives of this Act.
h. shall operate with transparency and be subject to periodic audits to ensure accountability and adherence to the principles of this Act.​

4. Composition:

a. The PMA shall be headed by a director appointed by the president of the Union of Democratic States, along with the advice and consent of the Council of State of the Union of Democratic States.
b. The director of the PMA shall serve at the pleasure of the president; and may be dismissed by the president as they please.
c. The director of the PMA shall appoint a deputy director, who shall serve as acting director when the position for the director of the PMA is vacant or the director is incapable of executing their duties; and, for example, assists the director of the PMA, advises the director, and carry out any directives and responsibilities given to them.​

5. Appropriations:

a. The initial funding allocation for the establishment of the PMA, including the recruitment of personnel, development of infrastructure, and commencement of operations, shall be 4,000,000, to be disbursed within six months from the enactment of this Act.
b. Subsequent annual appropriations for the PMA shall be determined in due time by the Council of State based on the estimated budget requirements provided by the PMA and by investigations and reviews conducted by the Council of State.
c. The PMA shall maintain a transparent and accountable financial management system, subject to periodic audits and reporting to ensure the responsible use of allocated funds.
d. Any unspent funds allocated to the PMA in a given fiscal year shall be carried over to the subsequent fiscal year for use in fulfilling the objectives and functions of the agency.​

6. The PMA may enact policies and regulations in accordance with its duties.

Section IX: Final Provisions
1. Resident nations shall take the necessary steps to align their domestic legislation with the provisions of this Act within a reasonable timeframe, ensuring effective implementation.

Section X: Statement of Purpose
1. This law is understood to be for the purposes of roleplaying and therefore non-binding in its entirety.

Spoiler: Plain text

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[HEADING=1][CENTER][IMG width="216px"]https://theuds.org/imgs/Coat_of_Arms_UDS.png[/IMG][/CENTER][/HEADING]
[HEADING=1][CENTER][/CENTER][/HEADING]
[HEADING=1][CENTER][B]A MOTION[/B][/CENTER][/HEADING]
[CENTER]To enact a bill to develop a system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications
Introduced into the Council of State of the Union of Democratic States on the DAY of MONTH, YEAR, by @TheSecond
As follows:
[/CENTER]
[HR][/HR]

[I]RECOGNIZING the importance of facilitating the mobility of skilled professionals within the Union of Democratic States region and fostering cooperation among resident nations;

ACKNOWLEDGING the need to establish a framework for the mutual recognition of professional qualifications to enhance labor market efficiency and promote the exchange of expertise;

BE ENACTED by the Council of State[/I]

[B]Section I: Definitions and Title[/B]
1. This Act may be referenced as the “Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Act”

2. For the purposes of this Act
[INDENT]a. "Professional qualifications" refer to the education, training, certification, or licensure requirements necessary for individuals to practice specific occupations.[/INDENT]
[INDENT]b. "Resident nations" refer to the sovereign states that reside in the Union of Democratic States region.[/INDENT]

[B]Section II: Principles[/B]
1. Resident nations shall recognize and accept professional qualifications granted by other resident nations in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

2. Recognition shall be based on the principle of substantial equivalence, ensuring that qualifications from one resident nation are comparable to those from another.

[B]Section III: Mutual Recognition Procedure[/B]
1. Resident nations may establish competent authorities responsible for the assessment and recognition of professional qualifications. These authorities shall be responsible for evaluating applications and making determinations of equivalence.

2. The competent authorities shall establish transparent and fair procedures for the recognition process, including submitting necessary documents, evaluation criteria, and timeframes for decision-making.

[B]Section IV: Privacy and Data Protection[/B]
1. In the exchange of personal information related to the recognition process and professional qualifications, resident nations and competent authorities shall comply with relevant international and regional data protection and privacy standards.

2. Resident nations shall establish mechanisms for individuals to consent to the exchange of their personal data and be informed about how their data will be used and protected.

3. Competent authorities shall regularly audit and review their data handling practices to ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

[B]Section V: Quality Assurance[/B]
1. Resident nations are encouraged to collaborate in establishing and maintaining quality assurance mechanisms for professional qualifications. This may include the exchange of information on education and training standards, monitoring of professional conduct, and periodic reviews of recognized qualifications.

[B]Section VI: Disputes[/B]
1. Resident nations shall strive to resolve disputes in a timely and amicable manner.

[B]Section VII: Appeal Process[/B]
1. Individuals who have applied to have their qualifications recognized and who dispute a recognition decision may file an appeal within a specified timeframe, not exceeding fourteen calendar days from the date of the decision.

2. An independent appeals board of the Professional Mobility Agency shall review appeals impartially.

3. The appeals board shall have the authority to overturn recognition decisions if they find them to be inconsistent with the Act or the principle of substantial equivalence.

4. Decisions of the appeals board shall be final and binding.

[B]Section VIII: Establishment of the Professional Mobility Agency[/B]
1. The “Professional Mobility Agency” is hereby established.

2. The Professional Mobility Agency, hereinafter referred to as “PMA,” shall be an independent and impartial entity; overseeing the implementation of this Act, ensuring this Act is carried out legally, ethically, and in the public interest; and ensuring the effective functioning of mutual recognition of professional qualifications among resident nations.

3. Responsibilities:
[indent]a. The PMA shall review and approve the establishment of competent authorities by resident nations for the assessment and recognition of professional qualifications;
b. shall monitor the implementation of this Act, receive and assess reports from resident nations, and compile an annual report on the progress and challenges of mutual recognition;
c. shall facilitate cooperation among resident nations in establishing and maintaining quality assurance mechanisms for professional qualifications;
d. shall establish and maintain mutual trust and respect amongst resident nations;
e. may make recommendations to resident nations for improvements to their recognition processes based on international best practices;
f. shall promote public awareness of the mutual recognition framework and the benefits it offers to professionals and the labor market.
g. may collaborate with relevant international organizations and stakeholders to further the objectives of this Act.
h. shall operate with transparency and be subject to periodic audits to ensure accountability and adherence to the principles of this Act.[/indent]

4. Composition:
[indent]a. The PMA shall be headed by a director appointed by the president of the Union of Democratic States, along with the advice and consent of the Council of State of the Union of Democratic States.
b. The director of the PMA shall serve at the pleasure of the president; and may be dismissed by the president as they please.
c. The director of the PMA shall appoint a deputy director, who shall serve as acting director when the position for the director of the PMA is vacant or the director is incapable of executing their duties; and, for example, assists the director of the PMA, advises the director, and carry out any directives and responsibilities given to them.[/indent]

5. Appropriations:
[indent]a. The initial funding allocation for the establishment of the PMA, including the recruitment of personnel, development of infrastructure, and commencement of operations, shall be 4,000,000, to be disbursed within six months from the enactment of this Act.
b. Subsequent annual appropriations for the PMA shall be determined in due time by the Council of State based on the estimated budget requirements provided by the PMA and by investigations and reviews conducted by the Council of State.
c. The PMA shall maintain a transparent and accountable financial management system, subject to periodic audits and reporting to ensure the responsible use of allocated funds.
d. Any unspent funds allocated to the PMA in a given fiscal year shall be carried over to the subsequent fiscal year for use in fulfilling the objectives and functions of the agency.[/indent]

6. The PMA may enact policies and regulations in accordance with its duties.

[B]Section IX: Final Provisions[/B]
1. Resident nations shall take the necessary steps to align their domestic legislation with the provisions of this Act within a reasonable timeframe, ensuring effective implementation.

[B]Section X: Statement of Purpose[/B]
1. This law is understood to be for the purposes of roleplaying and therefore non-binding in its entirety.