Summary — HB 7020: "An Act Concerning Certified Public Accountants" (Public Act 25‑36)
Status and key dates
- Introduced: February 20, 2025 (ref. Joint Committee on General Law)
- Public hearing: February 26, 2025
- Passed House (with amendments): April 28, 2025
- Passed Senate (in concurrence with House amendments): May 28, 2025
- Transmitted to Governor: June 9, 2025
- Signed by Governor / Enacted: June 10, 2025 (enacted as Public Act 25‑36)
Purpose and overall intent
- The bill modernizes and consolidates statutory provisions governing certified public accountants (CPAs) and the State Board of Accountancy. Its principal aim is to clarify certification requirements and to strengthen the Board’s authority to investigate complaints, assess fees, and enforce professional standards for public accountants and accounting firms.
Key provisions (high‑level)
Note: The official bill text and enacted Public Act should be consulted for precise statutory language. Based on the bill title and subject headings, the act addresses the following areas:
Certification and licensure
- Revises requirements and procedures for issuing CPA certificates and professional licenses (application, renewal, reciprocity/endorsement processes may be affected).
- Clarifies eligibility and documentation standards for individual licensees and possibly firm registrations.
Regulatory authority and Board powers
- Expands or clarifies the State Board of Accountancy’s powers to investigate complaints, conduct disciplinary proceedings, and impose sanctions for violations of accountancy law or rules.
- Establishes or updates procedures for complaints intake, investigation timelines, and evidentiary processes.
Enforcement, violations, and discipline
- Enhances enforcement mechanisms—e.g., civil penalties, suspension/revocation of licenses, cease‑and‑desist authority, or other disciplinary measures—intended to protect the public and ensure professional competence and ethical conduct.
Fees and fiscal provisions
- Authorizes the Board to set, adjust, or collect fees related to certification, licensure, renewals, or disciplinary processes; may include fee schedules or delegation to board rulemaking.
Investigations, records, and transparency
- Addresses investigative powers (subpoena, records access), confidentiality of complaints, and public disclosure of disciplinary outcomes or board actions.
Who is affected
- Licensed CPAs and public accounting firms operating in the state (current and prospective licensees)
- The State Board of Accountancy (administrative and enforcement responsibilities)
- Employers, clients, and consumers who rely on CPA services (consumer protections, disclosure of disciplinary actions)
- Legal and compliance professionals who represent or advise accounting entities
Procedural/implementation notes
- The act completed the legislative process in spring 2025 and was signed into law in June 2025. Any effective‑date provisions or required implementing regulations (rulemaking by the Board) are contained in the full text of Public Act 25‑36 and related administrative rulemaking notices.
Where to find the full details
- For exact statutory changes, effective dates, and full language, consult:
- The enacted Public Act 25‑36 (official state statutes update or Secretary of the State’s website)
- Office of Legislative Research (OLR) and Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) reports prepared for HB 7020
If you’d like, I can retrieve and summarize the specific statutory changes in the enacted Public Act 25‑36 (section‑by‑section) once you provide the text or permit me to access the enacted bill language.
