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SENATE BILL NO. 75
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
BY SENATOR WILSON
Introduced: 2/17/23
Referred: Labor & Commerce, Finance
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
"An Act relating to an audiology and speech-language interstate compact; relating to 1
the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language pathology; and providing 2
for an effective date." 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 4
* Section 1. AS 08.11.010 is amended to read: 5
Sec. 08.11.010. Qualifications for audiologist license. The department shall 6
issue a license to practice audiology to an individual who 7
(1) is 18 years of age or older; 8
(2) applies on a form provided by the department; 9
(3) pays the fee required under AS 08.11.050; 10
(4) furnishes evidence satisfactory to the department that the person 11
(A) has not engaged in conduct that is a ground for imposing 12
disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.11.080; 13
(B) holds a master's degree or doctorate in audiology from an 14 33-LS0139\B
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accredited educational institution approved by the department; and either has 1
(i) a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology 2
from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the 3
equivalent of the certificate; or 4
(ii) practiced audiology for two years as of January 1, 5
1986, or is in the process of completing the year of supervised clinical 6
experience required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence of the 7
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; and 8
(5) has been fingerprinted and has provided the fees required by 9
the Department of Public Safety under AS 12.62.160 for criminal justice 10
information and a national criminal history record check; the fingerprints and 11
fees shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety to obtain a report of 12
criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history 13
record check under AS 12.62.400. 14
* Sec. 2. AS 08.11.015 is amended to read: 15
Sec. 08.11.015. Qualifications for speech-language pathologist license. The 16
department shall issue a license to practice speech-language pathology to an individual 17
who 18
(1) is 18 years of age or older; 19
(2) applies on a form provided by the department; 20
(3) pays the fee required under AS 08.11.050; 21
(4) has not engaged in conduct that is a ground for imposing 22
disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.11.085; [AND] 23
(5) furnishes evidence satisfactory to the department that the person 24
holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in speech-language pathology from the 25
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or the equivalent of the certificate; 26
and 27
(6) has been fingerprinted and has provided the fees required by 28
the Department of Public Safety under AS 12.62.160 for criminal justice 29
information and a national criminal history record check; the fingerprints and 30
fees shall be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety to obtain a report of 31 33-LS0139\B
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criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history 1
record check under AS 12.62.400. 2
* Sec. 3. AS 08.11.050 is amended to read: 3
Sec. 08.11.050. Fees. The department shall set fees under AS 08.01.065 for 4
each of the following: 5
(1) application; 6
(2) credential review; 7
(3) audiologist license and speech-language pathologist license; 8
(4) temporary license; 9
(5) renewal of license; 10
(6) delinquency; 11
(7) reinstatement; 12
(8) duplicate license; 13
(9) speech-language pathologist assistant registration application and 14
renewal; 15
(10) compact privilege. 16
* Sec. 4. AS 08.11.100 is amended to read: 17
Sec. 08.11.100. Prohibited acts. (a) Unless a person is licensed or granted a 18
compact privilege as an audiologist under this chapter, the person may not 19
(1) practice audiology; 20
(2) use a title indicating or representing that the person practices as an 21
audiologist; 22
(3) advertise that the person practices audiology. 23
(b) Unless a person is licensed or granted a compact privilege as a speech-24
language pathologist under this chapter, the person may not 25
(1) practice speech-language pathology; 26
(2) use a title indicating or representing that the person practices as a 27
speech-language pathologist; 28
(3) advertise that the person practices speech-language pathology. 29
* Sec. 5. AS 08.11 is amended by adding a new section to read: 30
Article 2. Audiology and Speech-Language Interstate Compact. 31 33-LS0139\B
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Sec. 08.11.300. Audiology and speech-language interstate compact 1
enacted. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 2
shall implement the audiology and speech-language interstate compact enacted under 3
this section. 4
SECTION 1. PURPOSE 5
The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and 6
speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and 7
speech-language pathology services. The practice of audiology and speech-language 8
pathology occurs in the state where the patient/client/student is located at the time of 9
the patient/client/student encounter. The Compact preserves the regulatory authority of 10
states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. 11
This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: 12
(1) Increase public access to audiology and speech-language pathology 13
services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses; 14
(2) Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety; 15
(3) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating 16
multistate audiology and speech-language pathology practice; 17
(4) Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel; 18
(5) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative and disciplinary 19
information between member states; 20
(6) Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact 21
privilege in that state accountable to that state's practice standards; and 22
(7) Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased 23
access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. 24
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 25
As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following 26
definitions shall apply: 27
(1) "Active duty military" means full-time duty status in the active 28
uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and 29
Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1209 and 1211. 30
(2) "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, equitable or 31 33-LS0139\B
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criminal action permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or 1
other authority against an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, including 2
actions against an individual's license or privilege to practice such as revocation, 3
suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, or restriction on the licensee's 4
practice. 5
(3) "Alternative program" means a non-disciplinary monitoring 6
process approved by an audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board to 7
address impaired practitioners. 8
(4) "Audiologist" means an individual who is licensed by a state to 9
practice audiology. 10
(5) "Audiology" means the care and services provided by a licensed 11
audiologist as set forth in the member state's statutes and rules. 12
(6) "Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact 13
Commission" or "Commission" means the national administrative body whose 14
membership consists of all states that have enacted the Compact. 15
(7) "Audiology and speech-language pathology licensing board," 16
"audiology licensing board," "speech-language pathology licensing board," or 17
"licensing board" means the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and 18
regulation of audiologists and/or speech-language pathologists. 19
(8) "Compact privilege" means the authorization granted by a remote 20
state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as an audiologist or 21
speech-language pathologist in the remote state under its laws and rules. The practice 22
of audiology or speech-language pathology occurs in the member state where the 23
patient/client/student is located at the time of the patient/client/student encounter. 24
(9) "Current significant investigative information" means investigative 25
information that a licensing board, after an inquiry or investigation that includes 26
notification and an opportunity for the audiologist or speech-language pathologist to 27
respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved 28
true, would indicate more than a minor infraction. 29
(10) "Data system" means a repository of information about licensees, 30
including, but not limited to, continuing education, examination, licensure,
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investigative, compact privilege and adverse action. 1
(11) "Encumbered license" means a license in which an adverse action 2
restricts the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology by the licensee and 3
said adverse action has been reported to the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB). 4
(12) "Executive Committee" means a group of directors elected or 5
appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the 6
Commission. 7
(13) "Home state" means the member state that is the licensee's 8
primary state of residence. 9
(14) "Impaired practitioner" means individuals whose professional 10
practice is adversely affected by substance abuse, addiction, or other health-related 11
conditions. 12
(15) "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an 13
authorization from the state licensing board to practice as an audiologist or speech-14
language pathologist. 15
(16) "Member state" means a state that has enacted the Compact. 16
(17) "Privilege to practice" means a legal authorization permitting the 17
practice of audiology or speech-language pathology in a remote state. 18
(18) "Remote state" means a member state other than the home state 19
where a licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege. 20
(19) "Rule" means a regulation, principle or directive promulgated by 21
the Commission that has the force of law. 22
(20) "Single-state license" means an audiology or speech-language 23
pathology license issued by a member state that authorizes practice only within the 24
issuing state and does not include a privilege to practice in any other member state. 25
(21) "Speech-language pathologist" means an individual who is 26
licensed by a state to practice speech-language pathology. 27
(22) "Speech-language pathology" means the care and services 28
provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist as set forth in the member state's 29
statutes and rules. 30
(23) "State" means any state, commonwealth, district or territory of the 31 33-LS0139\B
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United States of America that regulates the practice of audiology and speech-language 1
pathology. 2
(24) "State practice laws" means a member state's laws, rules and 3
regulations that govern the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, define 4
the scope of audiology or speech-language pathology practice, and create the methods 5
and grounds for imposing discipline. 6
(25) "Telehealth" means the application of telecommunication 7
technology to deliver audiology or speech-language pathology services at a distance 8
for assessment, intervention and/or consultation. 9
SECTION 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 10
(a) A license issued to an audiologist or speech-language pathologist by a 11
home state to a resident in that state shall be recognized by each member state as 12
authorizing an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or 13
speech-language pathology, under a privilege to practice, in each member state. 14
(b) A state must implement or utilize procedures for considering the criminal 15
history records of applicants for initial privilege to practice. These procedures shall 16
include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by 17
applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record 18
information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for 19
retaining that state's criminal records. 20
(1) A member state must fully implement a criminal background check 21
requirement, within a time frame established by rule, by receiving the results of the 22
Federal Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background checks and use 23
the results in making licensure decisions. 24
(2) Communication between a member state, the Commission and 25
among member states regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the 26
Compact shall not include any information received from the Federal Bureau of 27
Investigation relating to a federal criminal records check performed by a member state 28
under Public Law 92-544. 29
(c) Upon application for a privilege to practice, the licensing board in the 30
issuing remote state shall ascertain, through the data system, whether the applicant has 31 33-LS0139\B
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ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any 1
encumbrances on any license or privilege to practice held by the applicant, whether 2
any adverse action has been taken against any license or privilege to practice held by 3
the applicant. 4
(d) Each member state shall require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in 5
the home state and meet the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of 6
licensure, as well as, all other applicable state laws. 7
(e) For an audiologist: 8
(1) Must meet one of the following educational requirements: 9
(A) On or before, Dec. 31, 2007, has graduated with a master's 10
degree or doctorate in audiology, or equivalent degree regardless of degree 11
name, from a program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized 12
by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the 13
United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university 14
accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the 15
board; or 16
(B) On or after, Jan. 1, 2008, has graduated with a Doctoral 17
degree in audiology, or equivalent degree, regardless of degree name, from a 18
program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council 19
for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the United States 20
Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by 21
a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board; or 22
(C) Has graduated from an audiology program that is housed in 23
an institution of higher education outside of the United States 24
(i) for which the program and institution have been 25
approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country; 26
and 27
(ii) the degree program has been verified by an 28
independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a state 29
licensing board-approved program. 30
(2) Has completed a supervised clinical practicum experience from an 31 33-LS0139\B
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accredited educational institution or its cooperating programs as required by the 1
Commission; 2
(3) Has successfully passed a national examination approved by the 3
Commission; 4
(4) Holds an active, unencumbered license; 5
(5) Has not been convicted or found guilty, and has not entered into an 6
agreed disposition, of a felony related to the practice of audiology, under applicable 7
state or federal criminal law; 8
(6) Has a valid United States Social Security or National Practitioner 9
Identification number. 10
(f) For a speech-language pathologist: 11
(1) Must meet one of the following educational requirements: 12
(A) Has graduated with a master's degree from a speech-13
language pathology program that is accredited by an organization recognized 14
by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or 15
university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization 16
recognized by the board; or 17
(B) Has graduated from a speech-language pathology program 18
that is housed in an institution of higher education outside of the United States 19
(a) for which the program and institution have been approved by the authorized 20
accrediting body in the applicable country and (b) the degree program has been 21
verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a 22
state licensing board-approved program. 23
(2) Has completed a supervised clinical practicum experience from an 24
educational institution or its cooperating programs as required by the Commission; 25
(3) Has completed a supervised postgraduate professional experience 26
as required by the Commission; 27
(4) Has successfully passed a national examination approved by the 28
Commission; 29
(5) Holds an active, unencumbered license; 30
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agreed disposition, of a felony related to the practice of speech-language pathology, 1
under applicable state or federal criminal law; 2
(7) Has a valid United States Social Security or National Practitioner 3
Identification number. 4
(g) The privilege to practice is derived from the home state license. 5
(h) An audiologist or speech-language pathologist practicing in a member 6
state must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the client is located 7
at the time service is provided. The practice of audiology and speech-language 8
pathology shall include all audiology and speech-language pathology practice as 9
defined by the state practice laws of the member state in which the client is located. 10
The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology in a member state under a 11
privilege to practice shall subject an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to the 12
jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts and the laws of the member state in 13
which the client is located at the time service is provided. 14
(i) Individuals not residing in a member state shall continue to be able to apply 15
for a member state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each member 16
state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals shall not be 17
recognized as granting the privilege to practice audiology or speech-language 18
pathology in any other member state. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the 19
requirements established by a member state for the issuance of a single-state license. 20
(j) Member states may charge a fee for granting a compact privilege. 21
(k) Member states must comply with the bylaws and rules and regulations of 22
the Commission. 23
SECTION 4. COMPACT PRIVILEGE 24
(a) To exercise the compact privilege under the terms and provisions of the 25
Compact, the audiologist or speech-language pathologist shall: 26
(1) Hold an active license in the home state; 27
(2) Have no encumbrance on any state license; 28
(3) Be eligible for a compact privilege in any member state in 29
accordance with Section 3; 30
(4) Have not had any adverse action against any license or compact 31 33-LS0139\B
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privilege within the previous 2 years from date of application; 1
(5) Notify the Commission that the licensee is seeking the compact 2
privilege within a remote state(s); 3
(6) Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the compact 4
privilege; 5
(7) Report to the Commission adverse action taken by any non-6
member state within 30 days from the date the adverse action is taken. 7
(b) For the purposes of the compact privilege, an audiologist or speech-8
language pathologist shall only hold one home state license at a time. 9
(c) Except as provided in Section 6, if an audiologist or speech-language 10
pathologist changes primary state of residence by moving between two member states, 11
the audiologist or speech-language pathologist must apply for licensure in the new 12
home state, and the license issued by the prior home state shall be deactivated in 13
accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Commission. 14
(d) The audiologist or speech-language pathologist may apply for licensure in 15
advance of a change in primary state of residence. 16
(e) A license shall not be issued by the new home state until the audiologist or 17
speech-language pathologist provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary 18
state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to 19
obtain a license from the new home state. 20
(f) If an audiologist or speech-language pathologist changes primary state of 21
residence by moving from a member state to a non-member state, the license issued by 22
the prior home state shall convert to a single-state license, valid only in the former 23
home state. 24
(g) The compact privilege is valid until the expiration date of the home state 25
license. The licensee must comply with the requirements of Section 4(a) to maintain 26
the compact privilege in the remote state. 27
(h) A licensee providing audiology or speech-language pathology services in a 28
remote state under the compact privilege shall function within the laws and regulations 29
of the remote state. 30
(i) A licensee providing audiology or speech-language pathology services in a 31 33-LS0139\B
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remote state is subject to that state's regulatory authority. A remote state may, in 1
accordance with due process and that state's laws, remove a licensee's compact 2
privilege in the remote state for a specific period of time, impose fines, and/or take any 3
other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens. 4
(j) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee shall lose the compact 5
privilege in any remote state until the following occur: 6
(1) The home state license is no longer encumbered; and 7
(2) Two years have elapsed from the date of the adverse action. 8
(k) Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, 9
the licensee must meet the requirements of Section 4(a) to obtain a compact privilege 10
in any remote state. 11
(l) Once the requirements of Section 4(j) have been met, the licensee must 12
meet the requirements in Section 4(a) to obtain a compact privilege in a remote state. 13
SECTION 5. COMPACT PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE TELEHEALTH 14
Member states shall recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language 15
pathologist, licensed by a home state in accordance with Section 3 and under rules 16
promulgated by the Commission, to practice audiology or speech-language pathology 17
in any member state via telehealth under a privilege to practice as provided in the 18
Compact and rules promulgated by the Commission. 19
SECTION 6. ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR THEIR SPOUSES 20
Active duty military personnel, or their spouse, shall designate a home state 21
where the individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain 22
the home state designation during the period the service member is on active duty. 23
Subsequent to designating a home state, the individual shall only change their home 24
state through application for licensure in the new state. 25
SECTION 7. ADVERSE ACTIONS 26
(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state shall 27
have the authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to: 28
(1) Take adverse action against an audiologist's or speech-language 29
pathologist's privilege to practice within that member state. 30
(2) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require
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the attendance and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. 1
Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a member state for the attendance and 2
testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another member state shall 3
be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the 4
practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings 5
pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, 6
mileage and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the 7
witnesses or evidence are located. 8
(3) Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action 9
against an audiologist's or speech-language pathologist's license issued by the home 10
state. 11
(b) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same 12
priority and effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the 13
conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its 14
own state laws to determine appropriate action. 15
(c) The home state shall complete any pending investigations of an audiologist 16
or speech-language pathologist who changes primary state of residence during the 17
course of the investigations. The home state shall also have the authority to take 18
appropriate action(s) and shall promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to 19
the administrator of the data system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure 20
information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any adverse actions. 21
(d) If otherwise permitted by state law, the member state may recover from the 22
affected audiologist or speech-language pathologist the costs of investigations and 23
disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that audiologist or 24
speech-language pathologist. 25
(e) The member state may take adverse action based on the factual findings of 26
the remote state, provided that the member state follows the member state's own 27
procedures for taking the adverse action. 28
(f) Joint Investigations 29
(1) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its 30
respective audiology or speech-language pathology practice act or other applicable 31 33-LS0139\B
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state law, any member state may participate with other member states in joint 1
investigations of licensees. 2
(2) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or 3
compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated 4
under the Compact. 5
(g) If adverse action is taken by the home state against an audiologist's or 6
speech-language pathologist's license, the audiologist's or speech-language 7
pathologist's privilege to practice in all other member states shall be deactivated until 8
all encumbrances have been removed from the state license. All home state 9
disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against an audiologist's or speech-10
language pathologist's license shall include a statement that the audiologist's or 11
speech-language pathologist's privilege to practice is deactivated in all member states 12
during the pendency of the order. 13
(h) If a member state takes adverse action, it shall promptly notify the 14
administrator of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly 15
notify the home state of any adverse actions by remote states. 16
(i) Nothing in this Compact shall override a member state's decision that 17
participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. 18
SECTION 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-19
LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY COMPACT COMMISSION 20
(a) The Compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public 21
agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact 22
Commission: 23
(1) The Commission is an instrumentality of the Compact states. 24
(2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the 25
Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent 26
jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission 27
may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to 28
participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. 29
(3) Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of 30
sovereign immunity. 31 33-LS0139\B
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(b) Membership, Voting and Meetings 1
(1) Each member state shall have two (2) delegates selected by that 2
member state's licensing board. The delegates shall be current members of the 3
licensing board. One shall be an audiologist and one shall be a speech-language 4
pathologist. 5
(2) An additional five (5) delegates, who are either a public member or 6
board administrator from a state licensing board, shall be chosen by the Executive 7
Committee from a pool of nominees provided by the Commission at Large. 8
(3) Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as 9
provided by the law of the state from which the delegate is appointed. 10
(4) The member state board shall fill any vacancy occurring on the 11
Commission, within 90 days. 12
(5) Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote with regard to the 13
promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity 14
to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. 15
(6) A delegate shall vote in person or by other means as provided in 16
the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates' participation in meetings by 17
telephone or other means of communication. 18
(7) The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar 19
year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws. 20
(c) The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 21
(1) Establish the fiscal year of the Commission; 22
(2) Establish bylaws; 23
(3) Establish a Code of Ethics; 24
(4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws; 25
(5) Meet and take actions as are consistent with the provisions of this 26
Compact and the bylaws; 27
(6) Promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate 28
implementation and administration of this Compact. The rules shall have the force and 29
effect of law and shall be binding in all member states; 30
(7) Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the 31 33-LS0139\B
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Commission, provided that the standing of any state audiology or speech-language 1
pathology licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected; 2
(8) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 3
(9) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but 4
not limited to, employees of a member state; 5
(10) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, 6
define duties, grant individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the 7
Compact, and to establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating 8
to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters; 9
(11) Accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, 10
equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the 11
same; provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of 12
impropriety and/or conflict of interest; 13
(12) Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or 14
otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; 15
provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety; 16
(13) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or 17
otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed; 18
(14) Establish a budget and make expenditures; 19
(15) Borrow money; 20
(16) Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of 21
members, and other interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the 22
bylaws; 23
(17) Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law 24
enforcement agencies; 25
(18) Establish and elect an Executive Committee; and 26
(19) Perform other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to 27
achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent with the state regulation of audiology 28
and speech-language pathology licensure and practice. 29
(d) The Executive Committee 30
(1) The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of 31 33-LS0139\B
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the Commission according to the terms of this Compact; 1
(2) The Executive Committee shall be composed of 10 members: 2
(A) Seven voting members who are elected by the Commission 3
from the current membership of the Commission; 4
(B) Two ex-officios, consisting of one nonvoting member from 5
a recognized national audiology professional association and one nonvoting 6
member from a recognized national speech-language pathology association; 7
and 8
(C) One ex-officio, nonvoting member from the recognized 9
membership organization of the audiology and speech-language pathology 10
licensing boards. 11
(e) The ex-officio members shall be selected by their respective organizations. 12
(1) The Commission may remove any member of the Executive 13
Committee as provided in bylaws. 14
(2) The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. 15
(3) The Executive Committee shall have the following duties and 16
responsibilities: 17
(A) Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the rules 18
or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees paid by Compact member 19
states such as annual dues, and any commission Compact fee charged to 20
licensees for the compact privilege; 21
(B) Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately 22
provided, contractual or otherwise; 23
(C) Prepare and recommend the budget; 24
(D) Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission; 25
(E) Monitor Compact compliance of member states and 26
provide compliance reports to the Commission; 27
(F) Establish additional committees as necessary; and 28
(G) Other duties as provided in rules or bylaws. 29
(4) Meetings of the Commission. All meetings shall be open to the 30
public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required 31 33-LS0139\B
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under the rulemaking provisions in Section 10. 1
(5) The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees 2
of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the Commission or 3
Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission must discuss: 4
(A) Non-compliance of a member state with its obligations 5
under the Compact; 6
(B) The employment, compensation, discipline or other 7
matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters 8
related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures; 9
(C) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation; 10
(D) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of 11
goods, services, or real estate; 12
(E) Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any 13
person; 14
(F) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial 15
information that is privileged or confidential; 16
(G) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where 17
disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; 18
(H) Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law 19
enforcement purposes; 20
(I) Disclosure of information related to any investigative 21
reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other 22
committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of 23
compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or 24
(J) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or 25
member state statute. 26
(6) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this 27
provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting 28
may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. 29
(7) The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe 30
all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of 31 33-LS0139\B
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actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views 1
expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified 2
in minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, 3
subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of 4
competent jurisdiction. 5
(8) Financing of the Commission 6
(A) The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, 7
the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing 8
activities. 9
(B) The Commission may accept any and all appropriate 10
revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, 11
materials, and services. 12
(C) The Commission may levy on and collect an annual 13
assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover 14
the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its staff, which 15
must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved 16
each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate 17
annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be 18
determined by the Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all 19
member states. 20
(9) The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to 21
securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the 22
credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member 23
state. 24
(10) The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and 25
disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to 26
the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all 27
receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited 28
yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be 29
included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission. 30
(f) Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification 31 33-LS0139\B
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(1) The members, officers, executive director, employees and 1
representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either 2
personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property 3
or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or 4
alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim 5
is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission 6
employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be 7
construed to protect any person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury, 8
or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 9
(2) The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive 10
director, employee or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to 11
impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that 12
occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or 13
that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing 14
occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; 15
provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining 16
his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or 17
omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 18
(3) The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, 19
officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the 20
amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any 21
actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission 22
employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that person had a reasonable basis for 23
believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or 24
responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result 25
from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 26
SECTION 9. DATA SYSTEM 27
(a) The Commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, and 28
utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, 29
adverse action, and investigative information on all licensed i
ndividuals in member 30
states. 31 33-LS0139\B
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member 1
state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this 2
Compact is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, including: 3
(1) Identifying information; 4
(2) Licensure data; 5
(3) Adverse actions against a license or compact privilege; 6
(4) Non-confidential information related to alternative program 7
participation; 8
(5) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for 9
denial; and 10
(6) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this 11
Compact, as determined by the rules of the Commission. 12
(c) Investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any member state shall 13
only be available to other member states. 14
(d) The Commission shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse 15
action taken against a licensee or an individual applying for a license. Adverse action 16
information pertaining to a licensee in any member state shall be available to any other 17
member state. 18
(e) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate 19
information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of 20
the contributing state. 21
(f) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required 22
to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be 23
removed from the data system. 24
SECTION 10. RULEMAKING 25
(a) The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the 26
criteria set forth in this Section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and 27
amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment. 28
(b) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by 29
enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact 30
within 4 years of the date of adoption of the rule, the rule shall have no further force 31 33-LS0139\B
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and effect in any member state. 1
(c) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special 2
meeting of the Commission. 3
(d) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the 4
Commission, and at least thirty days in advance of the meeting at which the rule shall 5
be considered and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed 6
Rulemaking: 7
(1) On the website of the Commission or other publicly accessible 8
platform; and 9
(2) On the website of each member state audiology or speech-language 10
pathology licensing board or other publicly accessible platform or the publication in 11
which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules. 12
(e) The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include: 13
(1) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the 14
rule shall be considered and voted upon; 15
(2) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the 16
proposed rule; 17
(3) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested 18
person; and 19
(4) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the 20
Commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments. 21
(f) Prior to the adoption of a proposed rule, the Commission shall allow 22
persons to submit written data, facts, opinions and arguments, which shall be made 23
available to the public. 24
(g) The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it 25
adopts a rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by: 26
(1) At least twenty-five (25) persons; 27
(2) A state or federal governmental subdivision or agency; or 28
(3) An association having at least twenty-five (25) members. 29
(h) If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the Commission 30
shall publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is 31 33-LS0139\B
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held via electronic means, the Commission shall publish the mechanism for access to 1
the electronic hearing. 2
(1) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the 3
executive director of the Commission or other designated member in writing of their 4
desire to appear and testify at the hearing not less than five (5) business days before 5
the scheduled date of the hearing. 6
(2) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person 7
who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in 8
writing. 9
(3) All hearings shall be recorded. A copy of the recording shall be 10
made available on request. 11
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate 12
hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at 13
hearings required by this section. 14
(i) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the 15
scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all 16
written and oral comments received. 17
(j) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested 18
parties is received, the Commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed 19
rule without a public hearing. 20
(k) The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action 21
on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on 22
the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. 23
(l) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may 24
consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, 25
or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact 26
and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably 27
possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For 28
the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted 29
immediately in order to: 30
(1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare; 31 33-LS0139\B
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(2) Prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds; or 1
(3) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that 2
is established by federal law or rule. 3
(m) The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may 4
direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting 5
typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. 6
Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The 7
revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days 8
after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results 9
in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to 10
the chair of the Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is 11
made, the revision shall take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, 12
the revision may not take effect without the approval of the Commission. 13
SECTION 11. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT 14
(a) Dispute Resolution 15
(1) Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall attempt to 16
resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among member states and between 17
member and non-member states. 18
(2) The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both 19
mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate. 20
(b) Enforcement 21
(1) The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall 22
enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact. 23
(2) By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the 24
United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where 25
the Commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce 26
compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. 27
The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial 28
enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of 29
litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. 30
(3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the 31 33-LS0139\B
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Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal 1
or state law. 2
SECTION 12. DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERSTATE 3
COMMISSION FOR AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE 4
PATHOLOGY PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED RULES, WITHDRAWAL, 5
AND AMENDMENT 6
(a) The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact 7
statute is enacted into law in the 10th member state. The provisions, which become 8
effective at that time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the Commission 9
relating to assembly and the promulgation of rules. Thereafter, the Commission shall 10
meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary to the implementation and 11
administration of the Compact. 12
(b) Any state that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission's initial 13
adoption of the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the 14
Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the 15
Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the Compact 16
becomes law in that state. 17
(c) Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute 18
repealing the same. 19
(1) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) 20
months after enactment of the repealing statute. 21
(2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the 22
withdrawing state's audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board to 23
comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this act 24
prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 25
(d) Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or 26
prevent any audiology or speech-language pathology licensure agreement or other 27
cooperative arrangement between a member state and a non-member state that does 28
not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. 29
(e) This Compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to 30
this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is 31 33-LS0139\B
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enacted into the laws of all member states. 1
SECTION 13. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 2
This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes 3
thereof. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, 4
sentence or provision of this Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of 5
any member state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any 6
government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the 7
remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, 8
person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this Compact shall be held 9
contrary to the constitution of any member state, the Compact shall remain in full 10
force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the 11
member state affected as to all severable matters. 12
SECTION 14. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS 13
(a) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member 14
state that is not inconsistent with the Compact. 15
(b) All laws in a member state in conflict with the Compact are superseded to 16
the extent of the conflict. 17
(c) All lawful actions of the Commission, including all rules and bylaws 18
promulgated by the Commission, are binding upon the member states. 19
(d) All agreements between the Commission and the member states are 20
binding in accordance with their terms. 21
(e) In the event any provision of the Compact exceeds the constitutional limits 22
imposed on the legislature of any member state, the provision shall be ineffective to 23
the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member 24
state. 25
* Sec. 6. AS 12.62.400(a), as amended by sec. 156, ch. 8, SLA 2022, is amended to read: 26
(a) To obtain a national criminal history record check for determining a 27
person's qualifications for a license, permit, registration, employment, or position, a 28
person shall submit the person's fingerprints to the department with the fee established 29
by AS 12.62.160. The department may submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau 30
of Investigation to obtain a national criminal history record check of the person for the 31 33-LS0139\B
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purpose of evaluating a person's qualifications for 1
(1) a license or conditional contractor's permit to manufacture, sell, 2
offer for sale, possess for sale or barter, traffic in, or barter an alcoholic beverage 3
under AS 04.09; 4
(2) licensure as a mortgage lender, a mortgage broker, or a mortgage 5
loan originator under AS 06.60; 6
(3) admission to the Alaska Bar Association under AS 08.08; 7
(4) licensure as a collection agency operator under AS 08.24; 8
(5) a certificate of fitness to handle explosives under AS 08.52; 9
(6) licensure as a massage therapist under AS 08.61; 10
(7) licensure to practice nursing or certification as a nurse aide under 11
AS 08.68; 12
(8) certification as a real estate appraiser under AS 08.87; 13
(9) a position involving supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor 14
or dependent adult for which criminal justice information may be released under 15
AS 12.62.160(b)(9); 16
(10) a teacher certificate under AS 14.20; 17
(11) a registration or license to operate a marijuana establishment 18
under AS 17.38; 19
(12) admittance to a police training program under AS 18.65.230 or for 20
certification as a police officer under AS 18.65.240 if that person's prospective 21
employer does not have access to a criminal justice information system; 22
(13) licensure as a security guard under AS 18.65.400 - 18.65.490; 23
(14) a concealed handgun permit under AS 18.65.700 - 18.65.790; 24
(15) licensure as an insurance producer, managing general agent, 25
reinsurance intermediary broker, reinsurance intermediary manager, surplus lines 26
broker, or independent adjuster under AS 21.27; 27
(16) serving and executing process issued by a court by a person 28
designated under AS 22.20.130; 29
(17) a school bus driver license under AS 28.15.046; 30
(18) licensure as an operator or an instructor for a commercial driver 31 33-LS0139\B
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training school under AS 28.17; 1
(19) registration as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser 2
representative, or investment adviser under AS 45.56.300 - 45.56.350; 3
(20) licensure, license renewal, certification, certification renewal, or 4
payment from the Department of Health of an individual and an entity subject to the 5
requirements for a criminal history check under AS 47.05.310, including 6
(A) a public home care provider described in AS 47.05.017; 7
(B) a provider of home and community-based waiver services 8
financed under AS 47.07.030(c); 9
(C) a case manager to coordinate community mental health 10
services under AS 47.30.530; 11
(D) an entity listed in AS 47.32.010(b) and (c), including an 12
owner, officer, director, member, partner, employee, volunteer, or contractor of 13
an entity; or 14
(E) an individual or entity not described in (A) - (D) of this 15
paragraph that is required by statute or regulation to be licensed or certified by 16
the Department of Health or that is eligible to receive payments, in whole or in 17
part, from the Department of Health to provide for the health, safety, and 18
welfare of persons who are served by the programs administered by the 19
Department of Health; 20
(21) employment as a village public safety officer under AS 18.65.672 21
or certification as a village public safety officer under AS 18.65.682; 22
(22) licensure, license renewal, certification, or certification renewal 23
by the Department of Family and Community Services of an individual or entity, or 24
payment from the Department of Family and Community Services to an individual or 25
entity, subject to the requirements for a criminal history check under AS 47.05.310 for 26
a foster home, child placement agency, and runaway shelter listed in AS 47.32.010(c), 27
including an owner, officer, director, member, partner, employee, volunteer, or 28
contractor of an entity; 29
(23) licensure to practice audiology or speech-language pathology 30
under AS 08.11. 31 33-LS0139\B
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* Sec. 7. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 1
read: 2
TRANSITION: EFFECT ON CURRENT LICENSEES. On and after the effective 3
date of secs. 1, 2, and 6 of this Act, a person who holds a valid license to practice audiology 4
or speech-language pathology on the effective date of secs. 1, 2, and 6 of this Act may 5
continue to engage in the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology under the 6
license until the license expires normally under AS 08.11. 7
* Sec. 8. This Act takes effect July 1, 2024. 8