SB 677 - This act establishes guidelines for the regulation of occupations and professions not currently regulated by the Division of Professional Registration. The act specifies that the state shall not impose a substantial burden on an individual's pursuit of his or her occupation or profession unless there is a reasonable interest for the state to protect the general welfare. If such interest exists, the regulation adopted by the state shall be the least restrictive type of regulation consistent with the public interest to be protected. All bills introduced in the General Assembly to regulate an occupation or profession for the first time or to substantially increase the scope of practice of a currently regulated occupation or profession shall be reviewed according to specific criteria as set forth in the act. An applicant group wishing to have an occupation or profession regulated shall submit a written report to the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration containing certain information as specified in the act. This act is similar to SB 835 (2018), HCS/HB 1928 (2018), to provisions contained in SS#2/SCS/HCS/HB 1500 (2018), SB 447 (2017), HCS/HBs 413, 480, 272, 609 (2017), SB 429 (2017), SB 829 (2016), and HB 1466 (2016). JAMIE ANDREWS