HB246ENROLLED Page 0 RBATYM-3 By Representatives Paschal, Hassell RFD: Boards, Agencies and Commissions First Read: 04-Apr-23 2023 Regular Session 1 2 3 4 5 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 1 Enrolled, An Act, Relating to the licensed practice of cosmetology; to provide and adopt the Cosmetology Licensure Compact to allow licensed cosmetologists to practice pursuant to a multistate license among compact states in a limited manner; to provide eligibility requirements for licensed cosmetologists to practice cosmetology pursuant to the compact; to provide for a coordinated licensure information system, joint investigations, and disciplinary actions; to establish the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission; to provide for the membership, powers, duties, and rulemaking functions of the commission; and to provide for oversight of the compact, enforcement of the compact, default procedures, dispute resolution, withdrawal of compact states, and amendments to the compact. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Purpose. (a) The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the interstate practice and regulation of cosmetology with the goal of improving public access to, and the safety of, cosmetology services and reducing unnecessary burdens related to cosmetology licensure. Through this compact, the member states seek to establish a regulatory framework which provides for a new multistate licensing program. Through this new licensing program, the member states seek to provide increased value and mobility to licensed cosmetologists in the member 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 2 states, while ensuring the provision of safe, effective, and reliable services to the public. (b) This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives, and the member states ratify the same intentions, by subscribing to all of the following: (1) Provide opportunities for interstate practice by cosmetologists who meet uniform requirements for multistate licensure. (2) Enhance the abilities of member states to protect public health and safety, and prevent fraud and unlicensed activity within the profession. (3) Ensure and encourage cooperation between member states in the licensure and regulation of the practice of cosmetology. (4) Support relocating military members and their spouses. (5) Facilitate the exchange of information between member states related to the licensure, investigation, and discipline of the practice of cosmetology. (6) Provide for the licensure and mobility of the workforce in the profession, while addressing the shortage of workers and lessening the associated burdens on the member states. Section 2. Definitions. As used in this compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall govern the terms herein: (1) ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBER. Any individual in 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 3 full-time duty status in the active unformed service Armed Forces of the United States including members of the National Guard and Reserve. (2) ADVERSE ACTION. Any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by a member state's laws which is imposed by a state licensing authority or other regulatory body against a cosmetologist, including actions against an individual's license or authorization to practice, such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation of the licensee's practice, or any other encumbrance on a license affecting an individual's ability to participate in the cosmetology industry, including the issuance of a cease and desist order. (3) ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM. A non-disciplinary monitoring or prosecutorial diversion program approved by a member state's state licensing authority. (4) AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE. A legal authorization associated with a multistate license permitting the practice of cosmetology in that remote state, which shall be subject to the enforcement jurisdiction of the state licensing authority in that remote state. (5) BACKGROUND CHECK. The submission of information for an applicant for the purpose of obtaining that applicant's criminal history record information, as further defined in 28 C.F.R. ยง 20.33, from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining state criminal or disciplinary history in the applicant's home state. (6) CHARTER MEMBER STATE. Member states that have 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 4 enacted legislation to adopt this compact where the legislation predates the effective date of this compact as defined in Section 13. (7) COMMISSION. The government agency whose membership consists of all states that have enacted this compact, which is known as the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission, as defined in Section 9, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of the member states. (8) COSMETOLOGIST. An individual licensed in his or her home state to practice cosmetology. (9) COSMETOLOGY, COSMETOLOGY SERVICES, and the PRACTICE OF COSMETOLOGY. The care and services provided by a cosmetologist as set forth in the member state's statutes and rules in the state where the services are being provided. (10) CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION: Either of the following: a. Investigative information that a state licensing authority, after an inquiry or investigation that complies with a member state's due process requirements, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate a violation of that state's laws regarding fraud or the practice of cosmetology. b. Investigative information that indicates that a licensee has engaged in fraud or represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, regardless of whether the licensee has been notified and had an opportunity to respond. (11) DATA SYSTEM. A repository of information about licensees including, but not limited to, license status, 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 5 investigative information, and adverse actions. (12) DISQUALIFYING EVENT. Any event which shall disqualify an individual from holding a multistate license under this compact, which the commission may by rule or order specify. (13) ENCUMBRANCE. A revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of cosmetology by a state licensing authority. (14) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A group of delegates elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission. (15) HOME STATE. The member state which is a licensee's primary state of residence, and where that licensee holds an active and unencumbered license to practice cosmetology. (16) INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION. Information, records, or documents received or generated by a state licensing authority pursuant to an investigation or other inquiry. (17) JURSIPRUDENCE REQUIREMENT. The assessment of an individual's knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of cosmetology in a state. (18) LICENSEE. An individual who currently holds a license from a member state to practice as a cosmetologist. (19) MEMBER STATE. Any state that has adopted this compact. (20) MULTISTATE LICENSE. A license issued by and subject to the enforcement jurisdiction of the state licensing authority in a licensee's home state, which authorizes the practice of cosmetology in member states and includes 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 6 authorizations to practice cosmetology in all remote states pursuant to this compact. (21) REMOTE STATE. Any member state, other than the licensee's home state. (22) RULE. Any rule or regulation adopted by the commission under this compact which has the force of law. (23) SINGLE-STATE LICENSE. A cosmetology license issued by a member state that authorizes practice of cosmetology only within the issuing state and does not include any authorization outside of the issuing state. (24) STATE. A state, territory, or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia. (25) STATE LICENSING AUTHORITY. A member state's regulatory body responsible for issuing cosmetology licenses or otherwise overseeing the practice of cosmetology in that state. Section 3. Member state requirements. (a) To be eligible to join this compact, and to maintain eligibility as a member state, a state must do all of the following: (1) License and regulate cosmetology. (2) Have a mechanism or entity in place to receive and investigate complaints about licensees practicing in that state. (3) Require that licensees within the state pass a cosmetology competency examination prior to being licensed to provide cosmetology services to the public in that state. (4) Require that licensees satisfy educational or 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 7 training requirements in cosmetology prior to being licensed to provide cosmetology services to the public in that state. (5) Implement procedures for considering one or more of the following categories of information from applicants for licensure: Criminal history; disciplinary history; or background check. The procedures may include the submission of information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's background check. (6) Participate in the data system, including through the use of unique identifying numbers. (7) Share information related to adverse actions with the commission and other member states, both through the data system and otherwise. (8) Notify the commission and other member states, in compliance with the terms of the compact and rules of the commission, of the existence of investigative information or current significant investigative information in the state's possession regarding a licensee practicing in that state. (9) Comply with rules adopted by the commission to administer the compact. (10) Accept licensees from other member states as established herein. (b) Member states may charge a fee for granting a license to practice cosmetology. (c) Individuals not residing in a member state shall continue to be able to apply for a member state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each member state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 8 shall not be recognized as granting a multistate license to provide services in any other member state. (d) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state for the issuance of a single-state license. (e) A multistate license issued to a licensee by a home state to a resident of that state shall be recognized by each member state as authorizing a licensee to practice cosmetology in each member state. (f) At no point shall the commission have the power to define the educational or professional requirements for a license to practice cosmetology. The member states shall retain sole jurisdiction over the provision of these requirements. Section 4. Multistate license. (a) To be eligible to apply to his or her home state's state licensing authority for an initial multistate license under this compact, a licensee must hold an active and unencumbered single-state license to practice cosmetology in his or her home state. (b) Upon the receipt of an application for a multistate license, according to the rules of the commission, a member state's state licensing authority shall ascertain whether the applicant meets the requirements for a multistate license under this compact. (c) If an applicant meets the requirements for a multistate license under this compact and any applicable rules of the commission, the state licensing authority in receipt of 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 9 the application, within a reasonable time, shall grant a multistate license to that applicant, and inform all member states of the grant of the multistate license. (d) A multistate license to practice cosmetology issued by a member state's state licensing authority shall be recognized by each member state as authorizing the practice thereof as though that licensee held a single-state license to do so in each member state, subject to the restrictions herein. (e) A multistate license granted pursuant to this compact may be effective for a definite period of time, concurrent with the licensure renewal period in the home state. (f) To maintain a multistate license under this compact, a licensee shall do all of the following: (1) Agree to abide by the rules of the state licensing authority, and the state scope of practice laws governing the practice of cosmetology, of any member state in which the licensee provides services. (2) Pay all required fees related to the application and process, and any other fees which the commission may by rule require. (3) Comply with any and all other requirements regarding multistate licenses which the commission may by rule provide. (g) A licensee practicing in a member state is subject to all scope of practice laws governing cosmetology services in that state. 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 10 (h) The practice of cosmetology under a multistate license granted pursuant to this compact shall subject the licensee to the jurisdiction of the state licensing authority, the courts, and the laws of the member state in which the cosmetology services are provided. Section 5. Reissuance of a multistate license by a new home state. (a) A licensee may hold a multistate license, issued by his or her home state, in only one member state at any given time. (b) If a licensee changes his or her home state by moving between two member states: (1) The licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance of his or her multistate license in his or her new home state. The licensee shall pay all applicable fees and notify the prior home state in accordance with the rules of the commission. (2) Upon receipt of an application to reissue a multistate license, the new home state shall verify that the multistate license is active, unencumbered, and eligible for reissuance under the terms of the compact and the rules of the commission. The multistate license issued by the prior home state shall be deactivated and all member states notified in accordance with the applicable rules adopted by the commission. (3) If required for initial licensure, the new home state may require a background check as specified in the laws of that state, or the compliance with any jurisprudence 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 11 requirements of the new home state. (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, if a licensee does not meet the requirements set forth in this compact for the reissuance of a multistate license by the new home state, then the licensee shall be subject to the new home state requirements for the issuance of a single-state license in that state. (c) If a licensee changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a member state to a non-member state, or from a non-member state to a member state, then the licensee shall be subject to the state requirements for the issuance of a single-state license in the new home state. (d) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a licensee's ability to hold a single-state license in multiple states; however, for the purposes of this compact, a licensee shall have only one home state, and only one multistate license. (e) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with the requirements established by a member state for the issuance of a single-state license. Section 6. Authority of the compact commission and member state licensing authorities. (a) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and enforce laws, regulations, or other rules related to the practice of cosmetology in that state, where those laws, regulations, or other rules are not inconsistent with this compact. 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 12 (b) Insofar as practical, a member state's state licensing authority shall cooperate with the commission and with each entity exercising independent regulatory authority over the practice of cosmetology according to this compact. (c) Discipline shall be the sole responsibility of the state in which cosmetology services are provided. Accordingly, each member state's state licensing authority shall be responsible for receiving complaints about individuals practicing cosmetology in that state, and for communicating all relevant investigative information about any adverse action to the other member states through the data system in addition to any other methods the commission may by rule require. Section 7. Adverse actions. (a) A licensee's home state shall have exclusive power to impose an adverse action against a licensee's multistate license issued by the home state. (b) A home state may take adverse action on a multistate license based on the investigative information, current significant investigative information, or adverse action of a remote state. (c) In addition to the powers conferred by state law, each remote state's state licensing authority shall have the power to do all of the following: (1) Take adverse action against a licensee's authorization to practice cosmetology through the multistate license in that member state, provided that: a. Only the licensee's home state shall have the power 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 13 to take adverse action against the multistate license issued by the home state; and b. For the purposes of taking adverse action, the home state's state licensing authority shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a remote state as it would if the conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine the appropriate action. (2) Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a licensee's authorization to practice within that member state. (3) Complete any pending investigations of a licensee who changes his or her primary state of residence during the course of an investigation. The state licensing authority shall also be empowered to report the results of an investigation to the commission through the data system as described herein. (4) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses, as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a state licensing authority in a member state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another member state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings before the court. The issuing state licensing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 14 statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located. (5) If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the affected licensee the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that licensee. (6) Take adverse action against the licensee's authorization to practice in that state based on the factual findings of another remote state. (d) A licensee's home state shall complete any pending investigation of a cosmetologist who changes his or her primary state of residence during the course of the investigation. The home state shall also have the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to the data system. (e) If an adverse action is taken by the home state against a licensee's multistate license, the licensee's authorization to practice in all other member states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the home state license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose an adverse action against a licensee's multistate license shall include a statement that the cosmetologist's authorization to practice is deactivated in all member states during the pendency of the order. (f) Nothing in this compact shall override a member state's authority to accept a licensee's participation in an alternative program in lieu of adverse action. A licensee's multistate license shall be suspended for the duration of the 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 15 licensee's participation in any alternative program. (g) Joint investigations. (1) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective scope of practice laws or other applicable state law, a member state may participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees. (2) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact. Section 8. Active duty military members and their spouses. Active dutymilitary personnel military members , or their spouses, shall designate a home state where the individual has a current license to practice cosmetology in good standing. The individual may retain his or her home state designation during any period of service when that individual or his or her spouse is on active duty assignment. Section 9. Establishment and operation of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission. (a) The compact member states hereby create and establish a joint government agency whose membership consists of all member states that have enacted the compact known as the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission. The commission is an instrumentality of the compact member states acting jointly and not an instrumentality of any one state. The commission shall come into existence on or after the effective date of the compact as set forth in Section 13. (b) Membership, voting, and meetings. 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 16 (1) Each member state shall have and be limited to one delegate selected by that member state's state licensing authority. (2) The delegate shall be an administrator of the state licensing authority of the member state or his or her designee. (3) The commission shall by rule or bylaw establish a term of office for delegates and may by rule or bylaw establish term limits. (4) The commission may recommend removal or suspension of any delegate from office. (5) A member state's state licensing authority shall fill any vacancy of its delegate occurring on the commission within 60 days of the vacancy. (6) Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all matters that are voted on by the commission. (7) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as set forth in the bylaws. The commission may meet by telecommunication, video conference or other similar electronic means. (c) The commission shall do all of the following: (1) Establish the fiscal year of the commission. (2) Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest policies. (3) Adopt rules and bylaws. (4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws. (5) Meet and take actions consistent with this compact, 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 17 the commission's rules, and the bylaws. (6) Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission; provided that the standing of any state licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected. (7) Maintain and certify records and information provided to a member state as the authenticated business records of the commission, and designate an agent to do so on the commission's behalf. (8) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds. (9) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel including, but not limited to, employees of a member state. (10) Conduct an annual financial review. (11) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the compact, and establish the commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters. (12) As set forth in the commission rules, charge a fee to a licensee for the grant of a multistate license and thereafter, as may be established by commission rule, charge the licensee a multistate license renewal fee for each renewal period. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a home state from charging a licensee a fee for a multistate license or renewals of a multistate license, or a fee for the jurisprudence requirement if the member state imposes a 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 18 requirement for the grant of a multistate license. (13) Assess and collect fees. (14) Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants of money, other sources of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest. (15) Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided interest therein. (16) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed. (17) Establish a budget and make expenditures. (18) Borrow money. (19) Appoint committees, including standing committees, composed of members, state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and other interested individuals as may be designated in this compact and the bylaws. (20) Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies. (21) Elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and other officers of the commission as provided in the commission's bylaws. (22) Establish and elect an executive committee, including a chair and a vice chair. (23) Adopt and provide to the participating member 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 19 states an annual report. (24) Determine whether a state's adopted language is materially different from the model compact language such that the state would not qualify for participation in the compact. (25) Perform other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact. (d) The executive committee. (1) The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the commission according to the terms of this compact. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the executive committee shall include all of the following: a. Overseeing the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact including compliance with the compact, the commission's rules and bylaws, and other duties as deemed necessary. b. Recommending to the commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to this compact legislation, fees charged to compact member states, fees charged to licensees, and other fees. c. Ensuring compact administration services are appropriately provided, including by contract. d. Preparing and recommending the budget. e. Maintaining financial records on behalf of the commission. f. Monitoring compact compliance of member states and providing compliance reports to the commission. g. Establishing additional committees as necessary. h. Exercising the powers and duties of the commission 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 20 during the interim between commission meetings, except for adopting or amending rules, adopting or amending bylaws, and exercising any other powers and duties expressly reserved to the commission by rule or bylaw. i. Other duties as provided in the rules or bylaws of the commission. (2) The executive committee shall be composed of up to seven voting members: a. The chair and vice chair of the commission and any other members of the commission who serve on the executive committee shall be voting members of the executive committee. b. Other than the chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer, the commission shall elect three voting members from the current membership of the commission. c. The commission may elect ex officio, nonvoting members from a recognized national cosmetology professional association as approved by the commission. The commission's bylaws shall identify qualifying organizations and the manner of appointment if the number of organizations seeking to appoint an ex officio member exceeds the number of members specified in this section. (3) The commission may remove any member of the executive committee as provided in the commission's bylaws. (4) The executive committee shall meet at least annually. a. Annual executive committee meetings, as well as any executive committee meeting at which the executive committee does not take or intend to take formal action on a matter for 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 21 which a commission vote would otherwise be required, shall be open to the public, except that the executive committee may meet in a closed, non-public session of a public meeting when dealing with any of the matters covered under subdivision (4) of subsection (f). b. The executive committee shall give five business days' advance notice of its public meetings, posted on its website and as determined to provide notice to individuals with an interest in the public matters the executive committee intends to address at those meetings. (5) The executive committee may hold an emergency meeting when acting for the commission to do any of the following: a. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare. b. Prevent a loss of commission or participating member state funds. c. Protect public health and safety. (e) The commission shall adopt and provide to the member states an annual report. (f) Meetings of the commission. (1) All meetings of the commission that are not closed pursuant to subdivision (4) shall be open to the public. Notice of public meetings shall be posted on the commission's website at least 30 days prior to the public meeting. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), the commission may convene an emergency public meeting by providing at least 24 hours' prior notice on the commission's website, and any other 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 22 means as provided in the commission's rules, for any of the reasons it may dispense with notice of proposed rulemaking under subsection (l) of Section 11. The commission's legal counsel shall certify that one of the reasons justifying an emergency public meeting has been met. (3) Notice of all commission meetings shall provide the time, date, and location of the meeting, and if the meeting is to be held or accessible via telecommunication, video conference, or other electronic means, the notice shall include the mechanism for access to the meeting. (4) The commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting for the commission to discuss any of the following: a. Non-compliance of a member state with its obligations under the compact. b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures. c. Current or threatened discipline of a licensee by the commission or by a member state's licensing authority. d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation. e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate. f. Accusing any individual of a crime or formally censuring any individual. g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential. 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 23 h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes. j. Information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact. k. Legal advice. l. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure to the public by federal or member state law. m. Other matters as adopted by the commission by rule. (5) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed and reference each relevant exempting provision, and the reference shall be recorded in the minutes. (6) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in the minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. (g) Financing of the commission. (1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 24 payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities. (2) The commission may accept any and all appropriate sources of revenue, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services. (3) The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees of member states to whom it grants a multistate license to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff, which shall be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount for member states shall be allocated based upon a formula that the commission shall adopt by rule. (4) The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any member states, except by and with the authority of the member state. (5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the financial review and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission. 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 25 (h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. (1) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the individual against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to protect any individual from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that individual. The procurement of insurance of any type by the commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder. (2) The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, and representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the commission that the individual against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that individual from retaining his or her own counsel at his 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 700 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 26 or her own expense; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that individual's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. (3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, and representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that individual arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the individual had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that individual. (4) Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any licensee for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other applicable state laws. (5) Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate a member state's state action immunity or state action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other state or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation. (6) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity by the member states or by the commission. 701 702 703 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 27 Section 10. Data system. (a) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system. (b) The commission shall assign each applicant for a multistate license a unique identifier, as determined by the rules of the commission. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission, including: (1) Identifying information. (2) Licensure data. (3) Adverse actions against a license and information related thereto. (4) Non-confidential information related to alternative program participation, the beginning and ending dates of participation, and other information related to participation. (5) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reasons for the denial, excluding the reporting of any criminal history record information where prohibited by law. (6) The existence of investigative information. (7) The existence of current significant investigative information. (8) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact or the protection of the public, as determined by the rules of the commission. 729 730 731 732 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 742 743 744 745 746 747 748 749 750 751 752 753 754 755 756 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 28 (d) The records and information provided to a member state pursuant to this compact or through the data system, when certified by the commission or an agent thereof, shall constitute the authenticated business records of the commission, and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceedings in a member state. (e) The existence of current significant investigative information and the existence of investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any member state shall only be available to other member states. (f) It is the responsibility of the member states to monitor the database to determine whether adverse action has been taken against a licensee or license applicant. Adverse action information pertaining to a licensee or license applicant in any member state shall be available to any other member state. (g) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state. (h) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed from the data system. Section 11. Rulemaking. (a) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently implement and administer 757 758 759 760 761 762 763 764 765 766 767 768 769 770 771 772 773 774 775 776 777 778 779 780 781 782 783 784 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 29 the purposes and provisions of this compact. A rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of competent jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because the commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope and purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of review. (b) The rules of the commission shall have the force of law in each member state. Where the rules of the commission conflict with the laws of the member state that establish the member state's scope of practice laws governing the practice of cosmetology as held by a court of competent jurisdiction, the rules of the commission shall be ineffective in that state to the extent of the conflict. (c) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding as of the date specified by the commission for each rule. (d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule or portion of a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four years of the date of adoption of the rule, then the rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state or to any state applying to participate in the compact. (e) Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission. (f) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the 785 786 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 807 808 809 810 811 812 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 30 commission shall hold a public hearing and allow individuals to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments. (g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed rule, the commission shall provide a notice of proposed rulemaking to all of the following: (1) On the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform. (2) To individuals who have requested notice of the commission's notices of proposed rulemaking. (3) In other ways as the commission may by rule specify. (h) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include all of the following: (1) The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the commission will hear public comments on the proposed rule and, if different, the time, date, and location of the meeting where the commission will consider and vote on the proposed rule. (2) If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other electronic means, the commission shall include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the notice of proposed rulemaking. (3) The text of the proposed rule and the reason therefor. (4) A request for comments on the proposed rule from 813 814 815 816 817 818 819 820 821 822 823 824 825 826 827 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 31 any interested individual. (5) The manner in which interested individuals may submit written comments. (i) All hearings shall be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written comments and documents received by the commission in response to the proposed rule shall be available to the public. (j) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this section. (k) The commission, by majority vote of all members, shall take final action on the proposed rule based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. (1) The commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed rule. (2) The commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed rule as well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were recommended by commenters. (3) The commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the rule. Except for an emergency as provided in subsection (l), the effective date of the rule shall be no sooner than 45 days after the commission issuing the notice that it adopted or amended the rule. (l) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with five 841 842 843 844 845 846 847 848 849 850 851 852 853 854 855 856 857 858 859 860 861 862 863 864 865 866 867 868 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 32 days' notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in this compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this subsection, an emergency rule is one that shall be adopted immediately to do any of the following: (1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare. (2) Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds. (3) Meet a deadline for the adoption of a rule that is established by federal law or rule. (4) Protect public health and safety. (m) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any individual for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision shall take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission. (n) No member state's rulemaking requirements shall 869 870 871 872 873 874 875 876 877 878 879 880 881 882 883 884 885 886 887 888 889 890 891 892 893 894 895 896 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 33 apply under this compact. Section 12. Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. (a) Oversight. (1) The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement this compact. (2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any similar matter. (3) The commission may receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the compact and shall have standing to intervene in any proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or adopted rules. (b) Default, technical assistance, and termination. (1) If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the adopted rules, the 897 898 899 900 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 908 909 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 919 920 921 922 923 924 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 34 commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state. The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that the commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default. (2) The commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other member states. (3) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the member states, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default. (4) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, the defaulting state's state licensing authority and each of the member states' state licensing authority. (5) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination. (6) Upon the termination of a state's membership from this compact, that state shall immediately provide notice to 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 952 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 35 all licensees who hold a multistate license within that state of the termination. The terminated state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of 180 days after the date of the notice of termination. (7) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state. (8) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. (c) Dispute resolution. (1) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member states. (2) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate. (d) Enforcement. (1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce this compact and the commission's rules. (2) By majority vote as provided by commission rule, 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 977 978 979 980 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 36 the commission may initiate legal action against a member state in default in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal office to enforce compliance with this compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or the defaulting member state's law. (3) A member state may initiate legal action against the commission in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal office to enforce compliance with this compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. (4) No individual or entity other than a member state may enforce this compact against the commission. Section 13. Effective date, withdrawal, and amendment. (a) The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh member state. (1) On or after the effective date of the compact, the 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 1001 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 37 commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the charter member states to determine if the statute enacted by each charter member state is materially different than the model compact statute. a. A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the model compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set forth in Section 12. b. If any member state is later found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from the compact, the commission shall remain in existence and the compact shall remain in effect even if the number of member states should be less than seven. (2) Member states enacting the compact subsequent to the charter member states shall be subject to the process set forth in subdivision (c)(24) of Section 9 to determine if their enactments are materially different from the model compact statute and whether they qualify for participation in the compact. (3) All actions taken for the benefit of the commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the compact prior to the effective date of the compact or the commission coming into existence shall be considered to be actions of the commission unless specifically repudiated by the commission. (4) Any state that joins the compact shall be subject to the commission's rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission shall have the 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 1030 1031 1032 1033 1034 1035 1036 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 38 full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state. (b) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing that state's enactment of the compact. (1) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after enactment of the repealing statute. (2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's state licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal. (3) Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from this compact, a state shall immediately provide notice of the withdrawal to all licensees within that state. Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the contrary, the withdrawing state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of 180 days after the date of notice of withdrawal. (c) Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a non-member state that does not conflict with this compact. (d) This compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states. Section 14. Construction and severability. 1037 1038 1039 1040 1041 1042 1043 1044 1045 1046 1047 1048 1049 1050 1051 1052 1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062 1063 1064 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 39 (a) This compact and the commission's rulemaking authority shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation and administration of the compact. Provisions of the compact expressly authorizing or requiring the adoption of rules shall not be construed to limit the commission's rulemaking authority solely for those purposes. (b) The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the constitution of any member state, a state seeking participation in the compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, individual, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, individual, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the commission may deny a state's participation in the compact or, in accordance with the requirements of Section 12, terminate a member state's participation in the compact, if it determines that a constitutional requirement of a member state is a material departure from the compact. Otherwise, if this compact shall be held to be contrary to the constitution of any member state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected as to all severable matters. 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 1070 1071 1072 1073 1074 1075 1076 1077 1078 1079 1080 1081 1082 1083 1084 1085 1086 1087 1088 1089 1090 1091 1092 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 40 Section 15. Consistent effect and conflict with other state laws. (a) Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with this compact. (b) Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict with this compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. (c) All permissible agreements between the commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms. Section 16. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law. 1093 1094 1095 1096 1097 1098 1099 1100 1101 1102 1103 1104 1105 1106 HB246 EnrolledHB246 Enrolled Page 41 ________________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives ________________________________________________ President and Presiding Officer of the Senate House of Representatives I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and was passed by the House 25-May-23, as amended. John Treadwell Clerk Senate 06-Jun-23 Passed 1107 1108 1109 1110 1111 1112 1113 1114 1115 1116 1117 1118 1119 1120 1121 1122 1123 1124 1125 1126 1127 1128 1129 1130 1131 1132 1133 1134 1135