Alabama 2024 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB318 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HB318INTRODUCED
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3	3	HB318
4	4	ZN3JRRW-1
5	5	By Representatives Hassell, Oliver, Paschal
6	6	RFD: Boards, Agencies and Commissions
7	7	First Read: 19-Mar-24
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12	12	5 ZN3JRRW-1 02/26/2024 MAP (L)ma 2023-3797
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14	14	First Read: 19-Mar-24
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	This bill would allow the Alabama Board of
17	17	Social Work Examiners to enter into the Social Work
18	18	Licensure Compact by adopting Article 4 of Chapter 30
19	19	of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, as a means of
20	20	providing uniformity in licensing requirements and
21	21	interstate practice throughout party states.
22	22	A BILL
23	23	TO BE ENTITLED
24	24	AN ACT
25	25	Relating to the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners;
26	26	to enter into the Social Work Licensure Compact by adopting
27	27	Article 4 of Chapter 30 of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975, to
28	28	read as follows:
29	29	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
30	30	Section 1. Article 4, commencing with Section
31	31	34-30-100, is added to Chapter 30 of Title 34, Code of Alabama
32	32	1975, to read as follows:
33	33	ARTICLE 4. SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT
34	34	§34-30-100. Purpose.
35	35	(a) The purpose of this compact is to facilitate
36	36	interstate practice of regulated social workers by improving
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66	66	interstate practice of regulated social workers by improving
67	67	public access to competent social work services. This compact
68	68	preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public
69	69	health and safety through the current system of state
70	70	licensing.
71	71	(b) This compact is designed to achieve all of the
72	72	following objectives:
73	73	(1) Increase public access to social work services.
74	74	(2) Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative
75	75	requirements associated with holding multiple licenses.
76	76	(3) Enhance the member states' ability to protect the
77	77	public's health and safety.
78	78	(4) Encourage the cooperation of member states in
79	79	regulating multistate practice.
80	80	(5) Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by
81	81	eliminating the necessity for licenses in multiple states by
82	82	providing for the mutual recognition of other member states'
83	83	licenses.
84	84	(6) Support military families.
85	85	(7) Facilitate the exchange of licensing and
86	86	disciplinary information among member states.
87	87	(8) Authorize all member states to hold a regulated
88	88	social worker accountable for abiding by a member state's
89	89	laws, rules, and applicable professional standards in the
90	90	member state in which the client is located at the time care
91	91	is rendered.
92	92	(9) Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate
93	93	increased access to regulated social work services.
94	94	§34-30-101. Definitions.
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124	124	§34-30-101. Definitions.
125	125	As used in this compact, the following terms have the
126	126	following meanings:
127	127	(1) ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBER. Any individual with
128	128	full-time duty status in the active Armed Forces of the United
129	129	States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
130	130	(2) ADVERSE ACTION. Any administrative, civil,
131	131	equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state's laws
132	132	which is imposed by a licensing authority or other authority
133	133	against a regulated social worker, including actions against
134	134	an individual's license or multistate authorization to
135	135	practice, such as revocation, suspension, probation,
136	136	monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's
137	137	practice, or any other encumbrance on licensing affecting a
138	138	regulated social worker's authorization to practice, including
139	139	issuance of a cease and desist action.
140	140	(3) ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM. A nondisciplinary monitoring
141	141	or practice remediation process approved by a licensing
142	142	authority to address practitioners with an impairment.
143	143	(4) CHARTER MEMBER STATE. Member states which have
144	144	enacted legislation to adopt this compact where such
145	145	legislation predates the effective date of this compact as
146	146	described in Section 34-30-113.
147	147	(5) COMPACT COMMISSION or COMMISSION. The governmental
148	148	agency whose membership consists of all states that have
149	149	enacted this compact, which is known as the Social Work
150	150	Licensure Compact Commission, as described in Section
151	151	34-30-109, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of
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181	181	34-30-109, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of
182	182	the member states.
183	183	(6) CURRENT SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION.
184	184	a. Investigative information that a licensing
185	185	authority, after a preliminary inquiry that includes
186	186	notification and an opportunity for the regulated social
187	187	worker to respond, has reason to believe is not groundless
188	188	and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor
189	189	infraction as may be defined by the commission.
190	190	b. Investigative information that indicates that the
191	191	regulated social worker represents an immediate threat to
192	192	public health and safety, as may be defined by the commission,
193	193	regardless of whether he or she has been notified and has had
194	194	an opportunity to respond.
195	195	(7) DATA SYSTEM. A repository of information about
196	196	licensees, including continuing education, examination,
197	197	licensing, current significant investigative information,
198	198	disqualifying events, multistate licenses, and adverse action
199	199	information or other information as required by the
200	200	commission.
201	201	(8) DISQUALIFYING EVENT. Any adverse action or incident
202	202	which results in an encumbrance that disqualifies or makes the
203	203	licensee ineligible to either obtain, retain, or renew a
204	204	multistate license.
205	205	(9) DOMICILE. The jurisdiction in which the licensee
206	206	resides and intends to remain indefinitely.
207	207	(10) ENCUMBRANCE. A revocation or suspension of, or any
208	208	limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of social
209	209	work licensed and regulated by a licensing authority.
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239	239	work licensed and regulated by a licensing authority.
240	240	(11) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A group of delegates elected
241	241	or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers
242	242	granted to them by, this compact and the commission.
243	243	(12) HOME STATE. The member state that is the
244	244	licensee's primary domicile.
245	245	(13) IMPAIRMENT. A condition or conditions that may
246	246	impair a practitioner's ability to engage in full and
247	247	unrestricted practice as a regulated social worker without
248	248	some type of intervention and may include alcohol and drug
249	249	dependence, mental health impairment, and neurological or
250	250	physical impairments.
251	251	(14) LICENSEE. An individual who currently holds a
252	252	license from a state to practice as a regulated social worker.
253	253	(15) LICENSING AUTHORITY. The board or agency of a
254	254	member state, or equivalent, that is responsible for the
255	255	licensing and regulation of regulated social workers.
256	256	(16) MEMBER STATE. A state, commonwealth, district, or
257	257	territory of the United States of America that has enacted
258	258	this compact.
259	259	(17) MULTISTATE AUTHORIZATION TO PRACTICE. A legally
260	260	authorized privilege to practice, which is equivalent to a
261	261	license, associated with a multistate license permitting the
262	262	practice of social work in a remote state.
263	263	(18) MULTISTATE LICENSE. A license to practice as a
264	264	regulated social worker issued by a home state licensing
265	265	authority that authorizes the regulated social worker to
266	266	practice in all member states under a multistate authorization
267	267	to practice.
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297	297	to practice.
298	298	(19) QUALIFYING NATIONAL EXAM. A national licensing
299	299	examination approved by the commission.
300	300	(20) REGULATED SOCIAL WORKER. Any clinical, master's,
301	301	or bachelor's social worker licensed by a member state
302	302	regardless of the title used by that member state.
303	303	(21) REMOTE STATE. A member state other than the
304	304	licensee's home state.
305	305	(22) RULE or RULE OF THE COMMISSION. A rule or rules
306	306	adopted by this commission, as authorized by this compact,
307	307	that has the force of law.
308	308	(23) SINGLE-STATE LICENSE. A social work license issued
309	309	by any state that authorizes practice only within the issuing
310	310	state and does not include multistate authorization to
311	311	practice in any member state.
312	312	(24) SOCIAL WORK or SOCIAL WORK SERVICES. The
313	313	application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics,
314	314	and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social,
315	315	psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals,
316	316	couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities
317	317	through the care and services provided by a regulated social
318	318	worker as set forth in the member state's statutes and rules
319	319	in the state where the services are being provided.
320	320	(25) STATE. Any state, commonwealth, district, or
321	321	territory of the United States of America that regulates the
322	322	practice of social work.
323	323	(26) UNENCUMBERED LICENSE. A license that authorizes a
324	324	regulated social worker to engage in the full and unrestricted
325	325	practice of social work.
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355	355	practice of social work.
356	356	§34-30-102. State Participation in this Compact.
357	357	(a) To be eligible to participate in this compact, a
358	358	potential member state must currently meet all of the
359	359	following criteria:
360	360	(1) License and regulate the practice of social work at
361	361	either the clinical, master's, or bachelor's category.
362	362	(2) Require applicants for licensing to graduate from a
363	363	program that is:
364	364	a. Operated by a college or university recognized by
365	365	the licensing authority.
366	366	b. Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution that
367	367	subsequently becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency
368	368	recognized by either the Council for Higher Education
369	369	Accreditation, or its successor, or the United States
370	370	Department of Education, and corresponds to the licensing
371	371	sought as outlined in Section 34-30-103.
372	372	(3) Require applicants for clinical licensing to
373	373	complete a period of supervised practice.
374	374	(4) Have a mechanism in place for receiving,
375	375	investigating, and adjudicating complaints about licensees.
376	376	(b) To maintain membership in this compact, a member
377	377	state shall do all of the following:
378	378	(1) Require that applicants for a multistate license
379	379	pass a qualifying national exam for the corresponding category
380	380	of multistate license sought as outlined in Section 34-30-103.
381	381	(2) Participate fully in this compact commission's data
382	382	system, including using the commission's unique identifier as
383	383	defined in rules.
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413	413	defined in rules.
414	414	(3) Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms
415	415	of this compact and rules, of any adverse action or the
416	416	availability of current significant investigative information
417	417	regarding a licensee.
418	418	(4) Implement procedures for considering the criminal
419	419	history records of applicants for a mulistate license. These
420	420	procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or
421	421	other biometric-based information by applicants for the
422	422	purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record
423	423	information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
424	424	agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal
425	425	records.
426	426	(5) Comply with the rules of the commission.
427	427	(6) Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license
428	428	in the home state and meet the home state's qualifications for
429	429	licensing or renewal of licensing, as well as all other
430	430	applicable home state laws.
431	431	(7) Authorize a licensee holding a multistate license
432	432	in any member state to practice in accordance with the terms
433	433	of this compact and rules of the commission.
434	434	(8) Designate a delegate to participate in commission
435	435	meetings.
436	436	(c) A member state meeting the requirements of
437	437	subsections (a) and (b) shall designate the categories of
438	438	social work licensing that are eligible for issuance of a
439	439	multistate license for applicants in member states. To the
440	440	extent that any member state does not meet the requirements
441	441	for participation in this compact in any particular category
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471	471	for participation in this compact in any particular category
472	472	of social work licensing, the member state may choose, but is
473	473	not obligated, to issue a multistate license to applicants who
474	474	otherwise meet the requirements of Section 34-30-103 for
475	475	issuance of a multistate license in those categories of
476	476	licensing.
477	477	(d) Member states may charge a fee for granting a
478	478	multistate license.
479	479	§34-30-103. Social Worker Participation in this
480	480	compact.
481	481	(a) To be eligible for a multistate license under the
482	482	terms and provisions of this compact, an applicant, regardless
483	483	of category must do all of the following:
484	484	(1) Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered
485	485	license in the home state.
486	486	(2) Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee,
487	487	for the multistate license.
488	488	(3) Submit, in connection with an application for a
489	489	multistate license, fingerprints or other biometric data for
490	490	the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information
491	491	from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency
492	492	responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
493	493	(4) Notify the home state of any adverse action,
494	494	encumbrance, or restriction on any professional license taken
495	495	by any member state or non-member state within 30 days from
496	496	the date the action is taken.
497	497	(5) Meet any continuing competence requirements
498	498	established by the home state.
499	499	(6) Abide by the laws, rules, and applicable standards
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529	529	(6) Abide by the laws, rules, and applicable standards
530	530	in the member state where the client is located at the time
531	531	care is rendered.
532	532	(b) An applicant for a clinical-category multistate
533	533	license must meet all of the following requirements:
534	534	(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
535	535	satisfied by one of the following:
536	536	a. Passage of a clinical-category qualifying national
537	537	exam.
538	538	b. Licensing of the applicant in his or her home state
539	539	in the clinical category, beginning prior to the time a
540	540	qualifying national exam was required by the home state and
541	541	accompanied by a period of continuous social work licensing
542	542	thereafter, all of which may be further governed by the rules
543	543	of the commission.
544	544	c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
545	545	competency requirements which the commission may determine by
546	546	rule.
547	547	(2) Attain at least a master's degree in social work
548	548	from a program that is both of the following:
549	549	a. Operated by a college or university recognized by
550	550	the licensing authority.
551	551	b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
552	552	becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by
553	553	either:
554	554	(i) the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
555	555	its successor; or
556	556	(ii) the United States Department of Education.
557	557	(3) Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be
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587	587	(3) Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be
588	588	satisfied by demonstrating completion of one of the following:
589	589	a. A period of postgraduate supervised clinical
590	590	practice equal to a minimum of 3,000 hours.
591	591	b. A minimum of two years of full-time postgraduate
592	592	supervised clinical practice.
593	593	c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
594	594	practice requirements which the commission may determine by
595	595	rule.
596	596	(c) An applicant for a master's-category multistate
597	597	license must meet all of the following requirements:
598	598	(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
599	599	satisfied by one of the following:
600	600	a. Passage of a master's-category qualifying national
601	601	exam.
602	602	b. licensing of the applicant in his or her home state
603	603	in the master's category, beginning prior to the time a
604	604	qualifying national exam was required by the home state in the
605	605	master's category and accompanied by a continuous period of
606	606	social work licensing, all of which may be further governed by
607	607	the rules of the commission.
608	608	c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
609	609	competency requirements which the commission may determine by
610	610	rule.
611	611	(2) Attain at least a master's degree in social work
612	612	from a program that is both of the following:
613	613	a. Operated by a college or university recognized by
614	614	the licensing authority.
615	615	b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
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645	645	b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
646	646	becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by
647	647	either:
648	648	(i) the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
649	649	its successor, or
650	650	(ii) the United States Department of Education.
651	651	(d) An applicant for a bachelor's-category multistate
652	652	license must meet all of the following requirements:
653	653	(1) Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be
654	654	satisfied by one of the following:
655	655	a. Passage of a bachelor's-category qualifying national
656	656	exam.
657	657	b. Licensing of the applicant in his or her home state
658	658	in the bachelor's category, beginning prior to the time a
659	659	qualifying national exam was required by the home state and
660	660	accompanied by a period of continuous social work licensing,
661	661	all of which may be further governed by the rules of the
662	662	commission.
663	663	c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing
664	664	competency requirements which the commission may determine by
665	665	rule.
666	666	(2) Attain at least a bachelor's degree in social work
667	667	from a program that is both of the following:
668	668	a. Operated by a college or university recognized by
669	669	the licensing authority.
670	670	b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently
671	671	becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by
672	672	either:
673	673	(i) the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
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703	703	(i) the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
704	704	its successor; or
705	705	(ii) the United States Department of Education.
706	706	(e) The multistate license for a regulated social
707	707	worker is subject to the renewal requirements of the home
708	708	state. The regulated social worker must maintain compliance
709	709	with the requirements of subsection (a) to be eligible to
710	710	renew a multistate license.
711	711	(f) The regulated social worker's services in a remote
712	712	state are subject to that member state's regulatory authority.
713	713	A remote state, in accordance with due process and that member
714	714	state's laws, may remove a regulated social worker's
715	715	multistate authorization to practice in the remote state for a
716	716	specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other
717	717	necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its
718	718	residents.
719	719	(g) If a multistate license is encumbered, the
720	720	regulated social worker's multistate authorization to practice
721	721	shall be deactivated in all remote states until the multistate
722	722	license is no longer encumbered.
723	723	(h) If a multistate authorization to practice is
724	724	encumbered in a remote state, the regulated social worker's
725	725	multistate authorization to practice may be deactivated in
726	726	that state until the multistate authorization to practice is
727	727	no longer encumbered.
728	728	§34-30-104. Issuance of a Multistate License.
729	729	(a) Upon receipt of an application for a multistate
730	730	license, the home state licensing authority shall determine
731	731	the applicant's eligibility for a multistate license in
732	732	337
733	733	338
734	734	339
735	735	340
736	736	341
737	737	342
738	738	343
739	739	344
740	740	345
741	741	346
742	742	347
743	743	348
744	744	349
745	745	350
746	746	351
747	747	352
748	748	353
749	749	354
750	750	355
751	751	356
752	752	357
753	753	358
754	754	359
755	755	360
756	756	361
757	757	362
758	758	363
759	759	364 HB318 INTRODUCED
760	760	Page 14
761	761	the applicant's eligibility for a multistate license in
762	762	accordance with Section 34-30-103.
763	763	(b) If the applicant is eligible pursuant to Section
764	764	34-30-103, the home state licensing authority shall issue a
765	765	multistate license that authorizes the applicant or regulated
766	766	social worker to practice in all member states under a
767	767	multistate authorization to practice.
768	768	(c) Upon issuance of a multistate license, the home
769	769	state licensing authority shall designate whether the
770	770	regulated social worker holds a multistate license in the
771	771	bachelor's, master's, or clinical category of social work.
772	772	(d) A multistate license issued by a home state to a
773	773	resident in that state shall be recognized by all compact
774	774	member states as authorizing social work practice under a
775	775	multistate authorization to practice corresponding to each
776	776	category of licensing regulated in each member state.
777	777	§34-30-105. Authority of the Commission and Member
778	778	State Licensing Authorities.
779	779	(a) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the
780	780	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
781	781	way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and enforce
782	782	laws or rules related to the practice of social work in that
783	783	state, where those laws or rules are not inconsistent with
784	784	this compact.
785	785	(b) Nothing in this compact shall affect the
786	786	requirements established by a member state for the issuance of
787	787	a single state license.
788	788	(c) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the
789	789	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
790	790	365
791	791	366
792	792	367
793	793	368
794	794	369
795	795	370
796	796	371
797	797	372
798	798	373
799	799	374
800	800	375
801	801	376
802	802	377
803	803	378
804	804	379
805	805	380
806	806	381
807	807	382
808	808	383
809	809	384
810	810	385
811	811	386
812	812	387
813	813	388
814	814	389
815	815	390
816	816	391
817	817	392 HB318 INTRODUCED
818	818	Page 15
819	819	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
820	820	way reduce the ability of a member state to take adverse
821	821	action against a licensee's single state license to practice
822	822	social work in that state.
823	823	(d) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the
824	824	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
825	825	way reduce the ability of a remote state to take adverse
826	826	action against a licensee's multistate authorization to
827	827	practice in that state.
828	828	(e) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the
829	829	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
830	830	way reduce the ability of a licensee's home state to take
831	831	adverse action against a licensee's multistate license based
832	832	upon information provided by a remote state.
833	833	§34-30-106. Reissuance of a Multistate License By a New
834	834	Home State.
835	835	(a) A licensee may hold a home state license, issued by
836	836	his or her home state, in only one member state at a time.
837	837	(b) If a licensee changes his or her home state by
838	838	moving between two member states:
839	839	(1) The licensee shall immediately apply for the
840	840	reissuance of his or her multistate license in his or her new
841	841	home state. The licensee shall pay all applicable fees and
842	842	notify the prior home state in accordance with the rules of
843	843	the commission.
844	844	(2) Upon receipt of an application to reissue a
845	845	multistate license, the new home state shall verify that the
846	846	multistate license is active, unencumbered, and eligible for
847	847	reissuance under the terms of this compact and the rules of
848	848	393
849	849	394
850	850	395
851	851	396
852	852	397
853	853	398
854	854	399
855	855	400
856	856	401
857	857	402
858	858	403
859	859	404
860	860	405
861	861	406
862	862	407
863	863	408
864	864	409
865	865	410
866	866	411
867	867	412
868	868	413
869	869	414
870	870	415
871	871	416
872	872	417
873	873	418
874	874	419
875	875	420 HB318 INTRODUCED
876	876	Page 16
877	877	reissuance under the terms of this compact and the rules of
878	878	the commission. The multistate license issued by the prior
879	879	home state shall be deactivated and all member states notified
880	880	in accordance with the applicable rules adopted by the
881	881	commission.
882	882	(3) Prior to the reissuance of the multistate license,
883	883	the new home state shall conduct procedures for considering
884	884	the criminal history records of the licensee. The procedures
885	885	shall include the submission of fingerprints or other
886	886	biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of
887	887	obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information
888	888	from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency
889	889	responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
890	890	(4) If required for initial licensing, the new home
891	891	state may require completion of jurisprudence requirements in
892	892	the new home state.
893	893	(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
894	894	compact, if a licensee does not meet the requirements set
895	895	forth in this compact for the reissuance of a multistate
896	896	license by the new home state, then the licensee shall be
897	897	subject to the new home state requirements for the issuance of
898	898	a single-state license in that state.
899	899	(c) If a licensee changes his or her primary state of
900	900	residence by moving from a member state to a non-member state,
901	901	or from a non-member state to a member state, then the
902	902	licensee shall be subject to the state requirements for the
903	903	issuance of a single-state license in the new home state.
904	904	(d) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a
905	905	licensee's ability to hold a single-state license in multiple
906	906	421
907	907	422
908	908	423
909	909	424
910	910	425
911	911	426
912	912	427
913	913	428
914	914	429
915	915	430
916	916	431
917	917	432
918	918	433
919	919	434
920	920	435
921	921	436
922	922	437
923	923	438
924	924	439
925	925	440
926	926	441
927	927	442
928	928	443
929	929	444
930	930	445
931	931	446
932	932	447
933	933	448 HB318 INTRODUCED
934	934	Page 17
935	935	licensee's ability to hold a single-state license in multiple
936	936	states; however, for the purposes of this compact, a licensee
937	937	shall have only one home state and only one multistate
938	938	license.
939	939	(e) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with the
940	940	requirements established by a member state for the issuance of
941	941	a single-state license.
942	942	§34-30-107. Military Families.
943	943	An active military member or his or her spouse shall
944	944	designate a home state where the individual has a multistate
945	945	license. The individual may retain his or her home state
946	946	designation during the period the service member is on active
947	947	duty.
948	948	§34-30-108. Adverse Actions.
949	949	(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state
950	950	law, a remote state, in accordance with existing state due
951	951	process law, may:
952	952	(1) Take adverse action against a regulated social
953	953	worker's multistate authorization to practice only within that
954	954	member state, and issue subpoenas for both hearings and
955	955	investigations that require the attendance and testimony of
956	956	witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas
957	957	issued by a licensing authority in a member state for the
958	958	attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of
959	959	evidence from another member state shall be enforced in the
960	960	latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according
961	961	to the practice and procedure applicable to subpoenas issued
962	962	in proceedings pending before that court. The issuing
963	963	licensing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel
964	964	449
965	965	450
966	966	451
967	967	452
968	968	453
969	969	454
970	970	455
971	971	456
972	972	457
973	973	458
974	974	459
975	975	460
976	976	461
977	977	462
978	978	463
979	979	464
980	980	465
981	981	466
982	982	467
983	983	468
984	984	469
985	985	470
986	986	471
987	987	472
988	988	473
989	989	474
990	990	475
991	991	476 HB318 INTRODUCED
992	992	Page 18
993	993	licensing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel
994	994	expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service
995	995	statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are
996	996	located.
997	997	(2) Only the home state shall have the power to take
998	998	adverse action against a regulated social worker's multistate
999	999	license.
1000	1000	(b) For the purposes of taking adverse action, the home
1001	1001	state shall give the same priority and effect to reported
1002	1002	conduct received from a member state as it would if the
1003	1003	conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the
1004	1004	home state shall apply its own state laws to determine
1005	1005	appropriate action.
1006	1006	(c) The home state shall complete any pending
1007	1007	investigations of a regulated social worker who changes home
1008	1008	states during the course of the investigations. The home state
1009	1009	may also take appropriate action and shall promptly report the
1010	1010	conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the
1011	1011	data system. The administrator of the data system shall
1012	1012	promptly notify the new home state of any adverse actions.
1013	1013	(d) A member state, if otherwise permitted by state
1014	1014	law, may recover from the affected regulated social worker the
1015	1015	cost of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting
1016	1016	from any adverse action taken against him or her.
1017	1017	(e) A member state may take adverse action based on the
1018	1018	factual findings of another member state, provided that the
1019	1019	member state follows its own procedures for taking the adverse
1020	1020	action.
1021	1021	(f) Joint investigations:
1022	1022	477
1023	1023	478
1024	1024	479
1025	1025	480
1026	1026	481
1027	1027	482
1028	1028	483
1029	1029	484
1030	1030	485
1031	1031	486
1032	1032	487
1033	1033	488
1034	1034	489
1035	1035	490
1036	1036	491
1037	1037	492
1038	1038	493
1039	1039	494
1040	1040	495
1041	1041	496
1042	1042	497
1043	1043	498
1044	1044	499
1045	1045	500
1046	1046	501
1047	1047	502
1048	1048	503
1049	1049	504 HB318 INTRODUCED
1050	1050	Page 19
1051	1051	(f) Joint investigations:
1052	1052	(1) In addition to the authority granted to a member
1053	1053	state by its respective social worker practice act or other
1054	1054	applicable state law, any member state may participate with
1055	1055	other member states in joint investigations of licensees.
1056	1056	(2) Member states shall share any investigative,
1057	1057	litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any
1058	1058	joint investigation initiated under this compact.
1059	1059	(g) If adverse action is taken by the home state
1060	1060	against the multistate license of a regulated social worker,
1061	1061	the regulated social worker's multistate authorization to
1062	1062	practice in all other member states shall be deactivated until
1063	1063	all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate
1064	1064	license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose
1065	1065	adverse action against the license of a regulated social
1066	1066	worker shall include a statement that the regulated social
1067	1067	worker's multistate authorization to practice is deactivated
1068	1068	in all member states until all conditions of the decison,
1069	1069	order, or agreement are satisfied.
1070	1070	(h) If a member state takes adverse action, it shall
1071	1071	promptly notify the administrator of the data system. The
1072	1072	administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the
1073	1073	home state and all other member states of any adverse actions
1074	1074	by remote states.
1075	1075	(i) Nothing in this compact shall override a member
1076	1076	state's decision to impose participation in an alternative
1077	1077	program in lieu of adverse action.
1078	1078	(j) Nothing in this compact shall authorize a member
1079	1079	state to demand the issuance of subpoenas for attendance and
1080	1080	505
1081	1081	506
1082	1082	507
1083	1083	508
1084	1084	509
1085	1085	510
1086	1086	511
1087	1087	512
1088	1088	513
1089	1089	514
1090	1090	515
1091	1091	516
1092	1092	517
1093	1093	518
1094	1094	519
1095	1095	520
1096	1096	521
1097	1097	522
1098	1098	523
1099	1099	524
1100	1100	525
1101	1101	526
1102	1102	527
1103	1103	528
1104	1104	529
1105	1105	530
1106	1106	531
1107	1107	532 HB318 INTRODUCED
1108	1108	Page 20
1109	1109	state to demand the issuance of subpoenas for attendance and
1110	1110	testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from
1111	1111	another member state for lawful actions within that member
1112	1112	state.
1113	1113	(k) Nothing in this compact shall authorize a member
1114	1114	state to impose discipline against a regulated social worker
1115	1115	who holds a multistate authorization to practice for lawful
1116	1116	actions within another member state.
1117	1117	§34-30-109. Establishment of Social Work Licensure
1118	1118	Compact Commission.
1119	1119	(a) The compact member states hereby create and
1120	1120	establish a joint governmental agency whose membership
1121	1121	consists of all member states that have enacted this compact
1122	1122	known as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. The
1123	1123	commission is an instrumentality of this compact states acting
1124	1124	jointly and not an instrumentality of any one state. The
1125	1125	compact commission shall come into existence on or after the
1126	1126	effective date of this compact as set forth in Section
1127	1127	34-30-113.
1128	1128	(b) Membership, voting, and meetings.
1129	1129	(1) Each member state shall have and be limited to one
1130	1130	delegate selected by that member state's licensing authority.
1131	1131	(2) The delegate shall be a current member of the
1132	1132	licensing authority at the time of appointment, who is a
1133	1133	regulated social worker, public member of the licensing
1134	1134	authority, or an administrator of the licensing authority, or
1135	1135	his or her designee.
1136	1136	(3) The commission shall by rule or bylaw establish a
1137	1137	term of office for delegates and may by rule or bylaw
1138	1138	533
1139	1139	534
1140	1140	535
1141	1141	536
1142	1142	537
1143	1143	538
1144	1144	539
1145	1145	540
1146	1146	541
1147	1147	542
1148	1148	543
1149	1149	544
1150	1150	545
1151	1151	546
1152	1152	547
1153	1153	548
1154	1154	549
1155	1155	550
1156	1156	551
1157	1157	552
1158	1158	553
1159	1159	554
1160	1160	555
1161	1161	556
1162	1162	557
1163	1163	558
1164	1164	559
1165	1165	560 HB318 INTRODUCED
1166	1166	Page 21
1167	1167	term of office for delegates and may by rule or bylaw
1168	1168	establish term limits.
1169	1169	(4) The commission may recommend removal or suspension
1170	1170	of any delegate from office.
1171	1171	(5) A member state's licensing authority shall fill any
1172	1172	vacancy of its delegate occurring on the commission within 60
1173	1173	days of the vacancy.
1174	1174	(6) Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all
1175	1175	matters before the commission requiring a vote by commission
1176	1176	delegates.
1177	1177	(7) A delegate shall vote in person or by other means
1178	1178	as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for
1179	1179	delegates to meet and vote by telecommunication, video
1180	1180	conference, or other means of communication.
1181	1181	(8) The compact commission shall meet at least once
1182	1182	during each calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as
1183	1183	set forth in the bylaws. The compact commission may meet by
1184	1184	telecommunication, video conference, or other similar
1185	1185	electronic means.
1186	1186	(c) The commission shall have the following powers to:
1187	1187	(1) Establish the fiscal year of the commission.
1188	1188	(2) Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest
1189	1189	policies.
1190	1190	(3) Establish and amend rules and bylaws.
1191	1191	(4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with
1192	1192	the bylaws.
1193	1193	(5) Meet and take action consistent with this compact,
1194	1194	the commission's rules, and the bylaws.
1195	1195	(6) Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions
1196	1196	561
1197	1197	562
1198	1198	563
1199	1199	564
1200	1200	565
1201	1201	566
1202	1202	567
1203	1203	568
1204	1204	569
1205	1205	570
1206	1206	571
1207	1207	572
1208	1208	573
1209	1209	574
1210	1210	575
1211	1211	576
1212	1212	577
1213	1213	578
1214	1214	579
1215	1215	580
1216	1216	581
1217	1217	582
1218	1218	583
1219	1219	584
1220	1220	585
1221	1221	586
1222	1222	587
1223	1223	588 HB318 INTRODUCED
1224	1224	Page 22
1225	1225	(6) Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions
1226	1226	in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of
1227	1227	any licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law
1228	1228	shall not be affected.
1229	1229	(7) Maintain and certify records and information
1230	1230	provided to a member state as the authenticated business
1231	1231	records of the commission, and designate an agent to do so on
1232	1232	behalf of the commission.
1233	1233	(8) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
1234	1234	(9) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of
1235	1235	personnel including, but not limited to, employees of a member
1236	1236	state.
1237	1237	(10) Conduct an annual financial review.
1238	1238	(11) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix
1239	1239	compensation, define duties, grant those individuals
1240	1240	appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this
1241	1241	compact, and establish the commission's personnel policies and
1242	1242	programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of
1243	1243	personnel, and other related personnel matters.
1244	1244	(12) Assess and collect fees.
1245	1245	(13) Accept any and all appropriate donations, grants
1246	1246	of money, other sources of revenue, equipment, supplies,
1247	1247	materials, services, and gifts, and receive, utilize, and
1248	1248	dispose of the same; provided, that at all times the
1249	1249	commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or
1250	1250	conflict of interest.
1251	1251	(14) Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or
1252	1252	use any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided
1253	1253	interest in property.
1254	1254	589
1255	1255	590
1256	1256	591
1257	1257	592
1258	1258	593
1259	1259	594
1260	1260	595
1261	1261	596
1262	1262	597
1263	1263	598
1264	1264	599
1265	1265	600
1266	1266	601
1267	1267	602
1268	1268	603
1269	1269	604
1270	1270	605
1271	1271	606
1272	1272	607
1273	1273	608
1274	1274	609
1275	1275	610
1276	1276	611
1277	1277	612
1278	1278	613
1279	1279	614
1280	1280	615
1281	1281	616 HB318 INTRODUCED
1282	1282	Page 23
1283	1283	interest in property.
1284	1284	(15) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
1285	1285	abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal,
1286	1286	or mixed.
1287	1287	(16) Establish a budget and make expenditures.
1288	1288	(17) Borrow money.
1289	1289	(18) Appoint committees, including standing committees,
1290	1290	composed of members, state regulators, state legislators or
1291	1291	their designees, consumer representatives, and other
1292	1292	interested individuals as may be designated in this compact
1293	1293	and the rules.
1294	1294	(19) Provide and receive information from, and
1295	1295	cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.
1296	1296	(20) Establish and elect an executive committee,
1297	1297	including a chair and a vice chair.
1298	1298	(21) Determine whether a state's adopted language is
1299	1299	materially different from the model compact language such that
1300	1300	the state does not qualify for participation in this compact.
1301	1301	(22) Perform other functions as may be necessary or
1302	1302	appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact.
1303	1303	(d) The executive committee.
1304	1304	(1) The executive committee shall have the power to act
1305	1305	on behalf of the commission according to the terms of this
1306	1306	compact. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
1307	1307	executive committee shall include all of the following:
1308	1308	a. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the
1309	1309	administration of this compact, including enforcement and
1310	1310	compliance with this compact, its rules and bylaws, and other
1311	1311	duties as deemed necessary.
1312	1312	617
1313	1313	618
1314	1314	619
1315	1315	620
1316	1316	621
1317	1317	622
1318	1318	623
1319	1319	624
1320	1320	625
1321	1321	626
1322	1322	627
1323	1323	628
1324	1324	629
1325	1325	630
1326	1326	631
1327	1327	632
1328	1328	633
1329	1329	634
1330	1330	635
1331	1331	636
1332	1332	637
1333	1333	638
1334	1334	639
1335	1335	640
1336	1336	641
1337	1337	642
1338	1338	643
1339	1339	644 HB318 INTRODUCED
1340	1340	Page 24
1341	1341	duties as deemed necessary.
1342	1342	b. Recommend to the commission changes to the rules or
1343	1343	bylaws, changes to this compact legislation, fees charged to
1344	1344	compact member states, fees charged to licensees, and other
1345	1345	fees.
1346	1346	c. Ensure compact administration services are
1347	1347	appropriately provided, including by contract.
1348	1348	d. Prepare and recommend the budget.
1349	1349	e. Maintain financial records on behalf of the
1350	1350	commission.
1351	1351	f. Monitor compact compliance of member states and
1352	1352	provide compliance reports to the commission.
1353	1353	g. Establish additional committees as necessary.
1354	1354	h. Exercise the powers and duties of the commission
1355	1355	during the interim between commission meetings, except for
1356	1356	adopting or amending rules, adopting or amending bylaws, and
1357	1357	exercising any other powers and duties expressly reserved to
1358	1358	the commission by rule or bylaw.
1359	1359	i. Other duties as provided in the rules or bylaws of
1360	1360	the commission.
1361	1361	(2) The executive committee shall be composed of up to
1362	1362	11 members:
1363	1363	a. The chair and vice chair of the commission shall be
1364	1364	voting members of the executive committee.
1365	1365	b. The commission shall elect five voting members from
1366	1366	the then current membership of the commission.
1367	1367	c. Up to four ex officio, nonvoting members from four
1368	1368	recognized national social work organizations as selected by
1369	1369	their respective organizations.
1370	1370	645
1371	1371	646
1372	1372	647
1373	1373	648
1374	1374	649
1375	1375	650
1376	1376	651
1377	1377	652
1378	1378	653
1379	1379	654
1380	1380	655
1381	1381	656
1382	1382	657
1383	1383	658
1384	1384	659
1385	1385	660
1386	1386	661
1387	1387	662
1388	1388	663
1389	1389	664
1390	1390	665
1391	1391	666
1392	1392	667
1393	1393	668
1394	1394	669
1395	1395	670
1396	1396	671
1397	1397	672 HB318 INTRODUCED
1398	1398	Page 25
1399	1399	their respective organizations.
1400	1400	(3) The commission may remove any member of the
1401	1401	executive committee as provided in the commission's bylaws.
1402	1402	(4) The executive committee shall meet at least
1403	1403	annually.
1404	1404	a. Executive committee meetings shall be open to the
1405	1405	public, except that the executive committee may meet in a
1406	1406	closed, nonpublic meeting pursuant to subdivision (f)(2).
1407	1407	b. The executive committee shall give seven days'
1408	1408	notice of its meetings, posted on its website and as
1409	1409	determined to provide notice to individuals with an interest
1410	1410	in the business of the commission.
1411	1411	c. The executive committee may hold a special meeting
1412	1412	in accordance with paragraph (f)(1)b.
1413	1413	(e) The commission shall adopt and provide to the
1414	1414	member states an annual report.
1415	1415	(f) Meetings of the compact commission.
1416	1416	(1) All meetings of the commission shall be open to the
1417	1417	public, except that the commission may meet in a closed,
1418	1418	nonpublic meeting as provided in subdivision (2).
1419	1419	a. Public notice for all meetings of the full
1420	1420	commission shall be given in the same manner as required for a
1421	1421	public hearing under the rulemaking provisions in Section
1422	1422	34-30-111, except that the commission may hold a special
1423	1423	meeting as provided in paragraph b.
1424	1424	b. The commission or executive committee may hold a
1425	1425	special meeting when the commission or executive committee
1426	1426	must meet to conduct emergency business by giving 48 hours'
1427	1427	notice to all commissioners, on the commission's website, and
1428	1428	673
1429	1429	674
1430	1430	675
1431	1431	676
1432	1432	677
1433	1433	678
1434	1434	679
1435	1435	680
1436	1436	681
1437	1437	682
1438	1438	683
1439	1439	684
1440	1440	685
1441	1441	686
1442	1442	687
1443	1443	688
1444	1444	689
1445	1445	690
1446	1446	691
1447	1447	692
1448	1448	693
1449	1449	694
1450	1450	695
1451	1451	696
1452	1452	697
1453	1453	698
1454	1454	699
1455	1455	700 HB318 INTRODUCED
1456	1456	Page 26
1457	1457	notice to all commissioners, on the commission's website, and
1458	1458	by other means as provided in the commission's rules. The
1459	1459	commission's legal counsel shall certify that the commission's
1460	1460	need to meet qualifies as an emergency.
1461	1461	(2) The commission, the executive committee, or other
1462	1462	committees of the commission may convene in a closed,
1463	1463	nonpublic meeting for the commission, executive committee, or
1464	1464	other committees of the commission to receive legal advice or
1465	1465	to discuss any of the following:
1466	1466	a. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations
1467	1467	under this compact.
1468	1468	b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other
1469	1469	matters, practices, or procedures related to specific
1470	1470	employees.
1471	1471	c. Current or threatened discipline of a licensee by
1472	1472	the commission or by a member state's licensing authority.
1473	1473	d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated
1474	1474	litigation.
1475	1475	e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or
1476	1476	sale of goods, services, or real estate.
1477	1477	f. Accusing any individual of a crime or formally
1478	1478	censuring any individual.
1479	1479	g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information
1480	1480	that is privileged or confidential.
1481	1481	h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure
1482	1482	would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal
1483	1483	privacy.
1484	1484	i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement
1485	1485	purposes.
1486	1486	701
1487	1487	702
1488	1488	703
1489	1489	704
1490	1490	705
1491	1491	706
1492	1492	707
1493	1493	708
1494	1494	709
1495	1495	710
1496	1496	711
1497	1497	712
1498	1498	713
1499	1499	714
1500	1500	715
1501	1501	716
1502	1502	717
1503	1503	718
1504	1504	719
1505	1505	720
1506	1506	721
1507	1507	722
1508	1508	723
1509	1509	724
1510	1510	725
1511	1511	726
1512	1512	727
1513	1513	728 HB318 INTRODUCED
1514	1514	Page 27
1515	1515	purposes.
1516	1516	j. Information related to any investigative reports
1517	1517	prepared by or on behalf of or for the use of the commission
1518	1518	or other committee charged with the responsibility of
1519	1519	investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant
1520	1520	to this compact.
1521	1521	k. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by
1522	1522	federal or member state law.
1523	1523	l. Other matters as adopted by rule by the commission.
1524	1524	(3) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed,
1525	1525	the presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be
1526	1526	closed and reference each relevant exempting provision, and
1527	1527	those references shall be recorded in the minutes.
1528	1528	(4) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and
1529	1529	clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
1530	1530	provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the
1531	1531	reasons therefore, including a description of the views
1532	1532	expressed. All documents considered in connection with an
1533	1533	action shall be identified in the minutes. All minutes and
1534	1534	documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject
1535	1535	to release only by a majority vote of the commission or order
1536	1536	of a court of competent jurisdiction.
1537	1537	(g) Financing of the commission.
1538	1538	(1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the
1539	1539	payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment,
1540	1540	organization, and ongoing activities.
1541	1541	(2) The commission may accept any and all appropriate
1542	1542	revenue sources as provided in subdivision (c)(13).
1543	1543	(3) The commission may levy and collect an annual
1544	1544	729
1545	1545	730
1546	1546	731
1547	1547	732
1548	1548	733
1549	1549	734
1550	1550	735
1551	1551	736
1552	1552	737
1553	1553	738
1554	1554	739
1555	1555	740
1556	1556	741
1557	1557	742
1558	1558	743
1559	1559	744
1560	1560	745
1561	1561	746
1562	1562	747
1563	1563	748
1564	1564	749
1565	1565	750
1566	1566	751
1567	1567	752
1568	1568	753
1569	1569	754
1570	1570	755
1571	1571	756 HB318 INTRODUCED
1572	1572	Page 28
1573	1573	(3) The commission may levy and collect an annual
1574	1574	assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees
1575	1575	of member states to whom the commission grants a multistate
1576	1576	license to cover the cost of the operations and activities of
1577	1577	the commission and commission staff, which must be in a total
1578	1578	amount sufficient to cover the annual budget of the
1579	1579	commission as approved each year for which revenue is not
1580	1580	provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment
1581	1581	amount for member states shall be allocated based upon a
1582	1582	formula that the commission shall adopt by rule.
1583	1583	(4) The commission shall not incur obligations of any
1584	1584	kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet those
1585	1585	obligations; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any
1586	1586	of the member states, except by and with the authority of the
1587	1587	member state.
1588	1588	(5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
1589	1589	receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of
1590	1590	the commission shall be subject to the financial review and
1591	1591	accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However,
1592	1592	all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
1593	1593	commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a
1594	1594	certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the
1595	1595	financial review shall be included in and become part of the
1596	1596	annual report of the commission.
1597	1597	(h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.
1598	1598	(1) The members, officers, executive director,
1599	1599	employees, and representatives of the commission shall be
1600	1600	immune from suit and liability, both personally and in their
1601	1601	official capacities, for any claim for damage to or loss of
1602	1602	757
1603	1603	758
1604	1604	759
1605	1605	760
1606	1606	761
1607	1607	762
1608	1608	763
1609	1609	764
1610	1610	765
1611	1611	766
1612	1612	767
1613	1613	768
1614	1614	769
1615	1615	770
1616	1616	771
1617	1617	772
1618	1618	773
1619	1619	774
1620	1620	775
1621	1621	776
1622	1622	777
1623	1623	778
1624	1624	779
1625	1625	780
1626	1626	781
1627	1627	782
1628	1628	783
1629	1629	784 HB318 INTRODUCED
1630	1630	Page 29
1631	1631	official capacities, for any claim for damage to or loss of
1632	1632	property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by
1633	1633	or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or
1634	1634	omission that occurred, or that the individual against whom
1635	1635	the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing
1636	1636	occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or
1637	1637	responsibilities; provided, that nothing in this subdivision
1638	1638	shall be construed to protect any individual from suit or
1639	1639	liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by
1640	1640	the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that
1641	1641	individual. The procurement of insurance of any type by the
1642	1642	commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the
1643	1643	immunity granted hereunder.
1644	1644	(2) The commission shall defend any member, officer,
1645	1645	executive director, employee, and representative of the
1646	1646	commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability
1647	1647	arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
1648	1648	that occurred within the scope of commission employment,
1649	1649	duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the
1650	1650	commission that the individual against whom the claim is made
1651	1651	had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope
1652	1652	of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;
1653	1653	provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
1654	1654	that individual from retaining his or her own counsel at his
1655	1655	or her own expense; and provided further, that the actual or
1656	1656	alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that
1657	1657	individual's intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct.
1658	1658	(3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless
1659	1659	any member, officer, executive director, employee, and
1660	1660	785
1661	1661	786
1662	1662	787
1663	1663	788
1664	1664	789
1665	1665	790
1666	1666	791
1667	1667	792
1668	1668	793
1669	1669	794
1670	1670	795
1671	1671	796
1672	1672	797
1673	1673	798
1674	1674	799
1675	1675	800
1676	1676	801
1677	1677	802
1678	1678	803
1679	1679	804
1680	1680	805
1681	1681	806
1682	1682	807
1683	1683	808
1684	1684	809
1685	1685	810
1686	1686	811
1687	1687	812 HB318 INTRODUCED
1688	1688	Page 30
1689	1689	any member, officer, executive director, employee, and
1690	1690	representative of the commission for the amount of any
1691	1691	settlement or judgment obtained against that individual
1692	1692	arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
1693	1693	that occurred within the scope of commission employment,
1694	1694	duties, or responsibilities, or that the individual had a
1695	1695	reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of
1696	1696	commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided,
1697	1697	that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not
1698	1698	result from the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of
1699	1699	that individual.
1700	1700	(4) Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation
1701	1701	on the liability of any licensee for professional malpractice
1702	1702	or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other
1703	1703	applicable state law.
1704	1704	(5) Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to
1705	1705	waive or otherwise abrogate a member state's state action
1706	1706	immunity or state action affirmative defense with respect to
1707	1707	antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any
1708	1708	other state or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or
1709	1709	rule.
1710	1710	(6) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a
1711	1711	waiver of sovereign immunity by the member states or by the
1712	1712	commission.
1713	1713	§34-30-110. Data System.
1714	1714	(a) The commission shall provide for the development,
1715	1715	maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated data
1716	1716	system.
1717	1717	(b) The commission shall assign each applicant for a
1718	1718	813
1719	1719	814
1720	1720	815
1721	1721	816
1722	1722	817
1723	1723	818
1724	1724	819
1725	1725	820
1726	1726	821
1727	1727	822
1728	1728	823
1729	1729	824
1730	1730	825
1731	1731	826
1732	1732	827
1733	1733	828
1734	1734	829
1735	1735	830
1736	1736	831
1737	1737	832
1738	1738	833
1739	1739	834
1740	1740	835
1741	1741	836
1742	1742	837
1743	1743	838
1744	1744	839
1745	1745	840 HB318 INTRODUCED
1746	1746	Page 31
1747	1747	(b) The commission shall assign each applicant for a
1748	1748	multistate license a unique identifier, as determined by the
1749	1749	rules of the commission.
1750	1750	(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to
1751	1751	the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set
1752	1752	to the data system on all individuals to whom this compact is
1753	1753	applicable as required by the rules of the commission,
1754	1754	including all of the following:
1755	1755	(1) Identifying information.
1756	1756	(2) Licensure data.
1757	1757	(3) Adverse actions against a license and information
1758	1758	related to that adverse action.
1759	1759	(4) Nonconfidential information related to alternative
1760	1760	program participation, the beginning and ending dates of
1761	1761	participation, and other information related to participation
1762	1762	not made confidential under the member state's law.
1763	1763	(5) Any denial of an application for licensing, and the
1764	1764	reason or reasons for the denial.
1765	1765	(6) The presence of current significant investigative
1766	1766	information.
1767	1767	(7) Other information that may facilitate the
1768	1768	administration of this compact or the protection of the
1769	1769	public, as determined by the rules of the commission.
1770	1770	(d) The records and information provided to a member
1771	1771	state pursuant to this compact or through the data system,
1772	1772	when certified by the commission or its agent, shall
1773	1773	constitute the authenticated business records of the
1774	1774	commission, and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay
1775	1775	exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial, or
1776	1776	841
1777	1777	842
1778	1778	843
1779	1779	844
1780	1780	845
1781	1781	846
1782	1782	847
1783	1783	848
1784	1784	849
1785	1785	850
1786	1786	851
1787	1787	852
1788	1788	853
1789	1789	854
1790	1790	855
1791	1791	856
1792	1792	857
1793	1793	858
1794	1794	859
1795	1795	860
1796	1796	861
1797	1797	862
1798	1798	863
1799	1799	864
1800	1800	865
1801	1801	866
1802	1802	867
1803	1803	868 HB318 INTRODUCED
1804	1804	Page 32
1805	1805	exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial, or
1806	1806	administrative proceeding in a member state.
1807	1807	(e) Current significant investigative information
1808	1808	pertaining to a licensee in any member state shall only be
1809	1809	available to other member states.
1810	1810	(f) It is the responsibility of the member states to
1811	1811	report any adverse action against a licensee and to monitor
1812	1812	the data system to determine whether any adverse action has
1813	1813	been taken against a licensee. Adverse action information
1814	1814	pertaining to a licensee in any member state shall be
1815	1815	available to any other member state.
1816	1816	(g) Member states contributing information to the data
1817	1817	system may designate information that may not be shared with
1818	1818	the public without the express permission of the contributing
1819	1819	member state.
1820	1820	(h) Any information submitted to the data system that
1821	1821	is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws
1822	1822	of the member state contributing the information shall be
1823	1823	removed from the data system.
1824	1824	§34-30-111. Rulemaking.
1825	1825	(a) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules in
1826	1826	order to effectively and efficiently implement and administer
1827	1827	the purposes and provisions of this compact. A rule shall be
1828	1828	invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of
1829	1829	competent jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because
1830	1830	the commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner
1831	1831	that was beyond the scope and purposes of this compact, or the
1832	1832	powers granted under this compact, or based upon another
1833	1833	applicable standard of review.
1834	1834	869
1835	1835	870
1836	1836	871
1837	1837	872
1838	1838	873
1839	1839	874
1840	1840	875
1841	1841	876
1842	1842	877
1843	1843	878
1844	1844	879
1845	1845	880
1846	1846	881
1847	1847	882
1848	1848	883
1849	1849	884
1850	1850	885
1851	1851	886
1852	1852	887
1853	1853	888
1854	1854	889
1855	1855	890
1856	1856	891
1857	1857	892
1858	1858	893
1859	1859	894
1860	1860	895
1861	1861	896 HB318 INTRODUCED
1862	1862	Page 33
1863	1863	applicable standard of review.
1864	1864	(b) The rules of the commission shall have the force of
1865	1865	law in each member state; provided, however, that where the
1866	1866	rules of the commission conflict with the laws or rules of a
1867	1867	member state that establish the member state's laws, rules,
1868	1868	and applicable standards that govern the practice of social
1869	1869	work, as held by a court of competent jurisdiction, the rules
1870	1870	of the commission shall be ineffective in that state to the
1871	1871	extent of the conflict.
1872	1872	(c) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers
1873	1873	pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the
1874	1874	rules adopted under this section. Rules shall become binding
1875	1875	on the day following adoption or as of the date specified in
1876	1876	the rule or amendment, whichever is later.
1877	1877	(d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member
1878	1878	states rejects a rule or portion of a rule, by enactment of a
1879	1879	statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt this
1880	1880	compact within four years after the date of adoption of the
1881	1881	rule, then the rule shall have no further force and effect in
1882	1882	any member state.
1883	1883	(e) Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special
1884	1884	meeting of the commission.
1885	1885	(f) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the
1886	1886	commission shall hold a public hearing and allow individuals
1887	1887	to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions,
1888	1888	and arguments.
1889	1889	(g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the
1890	1890	commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at
1891	1891	which the commission shall hold a public hearing on the
1892	1892	897
1893	1893	898
1894	1894	899
1895	1895	900
1896	1896	901
1897	1897	902
1898	1898	903
1899	1899	904
1900	1900	905
1901	1901	906
1902	1902	907
1903	1903	908
1904	1904	909
1905	1905	910
1906	1906	911
1907	1907	912
1908	1908	913
1909	1909	914
1910	1910	915
1911	1911	916
1912	1912	917
1913	1913	918
1914	1914	919
1915	1915	920
1916	1916	921
1917	1917	922
1918	1918	923
1919	1919	924 HB318 INTRODUCED
1920	1920	Page 34
1921	1921	which the commission shall hold a public hearing on the
1922	1922	proposed rule, the commission shall provide a notice of
1923	1923	proposed rulemaking:
1924	1924	(1) On the website of the commission or other publicly
1925	1925	accessible platform.
1926	1926	(2) To individuals who have requested notice of the
1927	1927	commission's notices of proposed rulemaking.
1928	1928	(3) In such other ways as the compact commission may
1929	1929	specify by rule.
1930	1930	(h) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include all
1931	1931	of the following:
1932	1932	(1) The time, date, and location of the public hearing
1933	1933	at which the commission will hear public comments on the
1934	1934	proposed rule and, if different, the time, date, and location
1935	1935	of the meeting where the compact commission will consider and
1936	1936	vote on the proposed rule.
1937	1937	(2) If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video
1938	1938	conference, or other means of communication, the commission
1939	1939	shall include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the
1940	1940	notice of proposed rulemaking.
1941	1941	(3) The text of the proposed rule and the reason
1942	1942	supporting the rule.
1943	1943	(4) A request for comments on the proposed rule from
1944	1944	any interested individual.
1945	1945	(5) The manner in which interested individuals may
1946	1946	submit written comments.
1947	1947	(i) All hearings shall be recorded. A copy of the
1948	1948	recording and all written comments and documents received by
1949	1949	the commission in response to the proposed rule shall be
1950	1950	925
1951	1951	926
1952	1952	927
1953	1953	928
1954	1954	929
1955	1955	930
1956	1956	931
1957	1957	932
1958	1958	933
1959	1959	934
1960	1960	935
1961	1961	936
1962	1962	937
1963	1963	938
1964	1964	939
1965	1965	940
1966	1966	941
1967	1967	942
1968	1968	943
1969	1969	944
1970	1970	945
1971	1971	946
1972	1972	947
1973	1973	948
1974	1974	949
1975	1975	950
1976	1976	951
1977	1977	952 HB318 INTRODUCED
1978	1978	Page 35
1979	1979	the commission in response to the proposed rule shall be
1980	1980	available to the public.
1981	1981	(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
1982	1982	requiring a separate hearing on each proposed rule. Rules may
1983	1983	be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings
1984	1984	required by this section.
1985	1985	(k) The commission, by majority vote of all members,
1986	1986	shall take final action on the proposed rule based on the
1987	1987	rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
1988	1988	(1) The commission may adopt changes to the proposed
1989	1989	rule provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose
1990	1990	of the proposed rule.
1991	1991	(2) The commission shall provide an explanation of the
1992	1992	reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed rule, as
1993	1993	well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were
1994	1994	recommended by commenters.
1995	1995	(3) The commission shall determine a reasonable
1996	1996	effective date for the rule. Except for an emergency as
1997	1997	provided in subsection (l), the effective date of the rule
1998	1998	shall be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that
1999	1999	the commission adopted or amended the rule.
2000	2000	(l) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
2001	2001	compact commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule
2002	2002	with 24-hours' notice, with opportunity to comment; provided,
2003	2003	that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in this compact
2004	2004	and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule
2005	2005	as soon as reasonably possible, and in no event later than 90
2006	2006	days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of
2007	2007	this subsection, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted
2008	2008	953
2009	2009	954
2010	2010	955
2011	2011	956
2012	2012	957
2013	2013	958
2014	2014	959
2015	2015	960
2016	2016	961
2017	2017	962
2018	2018	963
2019	2019	964
2020	2020	965
2021	2021	966
2022	2022	967
2023	2023	968
2024	2024	969
2025	2025	970
2026	2026	971
2027	2027	972
2028	2028	973
2029	2029	974
2030	2030	975
2031	2031	976
2032	2032	977
2033	2033	978
2034	2034	979
2035	2035	980 HB318 INTRODUCED
2036	2036	Page 36
2037	2037	this subsection, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted
2038	2038	immediately in order to:
2039	2039	(1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety,
2040	2040	or welfare.
2041	2041	(2) Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds.
2042	2042	(3) Meet a deadline for the adoption of a rule that is
2043	2043	established by federal law or rule.
2044	2044	(4) Protect public health and safety.
2045	2045	(m) The commission or an authorized committee of the
2046	2046	commission may direct revision to a previously adopted rule
2047	2047	for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in
2048	2048	format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public
2049	2049	notice of any revision shall be posted on the website of the
2050	2050	commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any
2051	2051	individual for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision
2052	2052	shall be challenged only on grounds that the revision results
2053	2053	in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in
2054	2054	writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of
2055	2055	the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision shall
2056	2056	take effect without further action. If the revision is
2057	2057	challenged, the revision may not take effect without the
2058	2058	approval of the commission.
2059	2059	(n) No member state's rulemaking requirements shall
2060	2060	apply under this compact.
2061	2061	§34-30-112. Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and
2062	2062	Enforcement.
2063	2063	(a) Oversight.
2064	2064	(1) The executive and judicial branches of state
2065	2065	government in each member state shall enforce this compact and
2066	2066	981
2067	2067	982
2068	2068	983
2069	2069	984
2070	2070	985
2071	2071	986
2072	2072	987
2073	2073	988
2074	2074	989
2075	2075	990
2076	2076	991
2077	2077	992
2078	2078	993
2079	2079	994
2080	2080	995
2081	2081	996
2082	2082	997
2083	2083	998
2084	2084	999
2085	2085	1000
2086	2086	1001
2087	2087	1002
2088	2088	1003
2089	2089	1004
2090	2090	1005
2091	2091	1006
2092	2092	1007
2093	2093	1008 HB318 INTRODUCED
2094	2094	Page 37
2095	2095	government in each member state shall enforce this compact and
2096	2096	take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement this
2097	2097	compact.
2098	2098	(2) Except as otherwise provided in this compact, venue
2099	2099	is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the
2100	2100	commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court
2101	2101	of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the
2102	2102	compact commission is located. The commission may waive venue
2103	2103	and jurisdictional defenses to the extent the commission
2104	2104	adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute
2105	2105	resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit
2106	2106	the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a
2107	2107	licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or any
2108	2108	similar matter.
2109	2109	(3) The compact commission shall be entitled to receive
2110	2110	service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement
2111	2111	or interpretation of this compact and shall have standing to
2112	2112	intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to
2113	2113	provide the commission service of process shall render a
2114	2114	judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or
2115	2115	adopted rules.
2116	2116	(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination.
2117	2117	(1) If the commission determines that a member state
2118	2118	has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or
2119	2119	responsibilities under this compact or the adopted rules, the
2120	2120	commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting
2121	2121	member state. The notice of default shall describe the
2122	2122	default, the proposed means of curing the default, any other
2123	2123	action that the commission may take, and shall offer training
2124	2124	1009
2125	2125	1010
2126	2126	1011
2127	2127	1012
2128	2128	1013
2129	2129	1014
2130	2130	1015
2131	2131	1016
2132	2132	1017
2133	2133	1018
2134	2134	1019
2135	2135	1020
2136	2136	1021
2137	2137	1022
2138	2138	1023
2139	2139	1024
2140	2140	1025
2141	2141	1026
2142	2142	1027
2143	2143	1028
2144	2144	1029
2145	2145	1030
2146	2146	1031
2147	2147	1032
2148	2148	1033
2149	2149	1034
2150	2150	1035
2151	2151	1036 HB318 INTRODUCED
2152	2152	Page 38
2153	2153	action that the commission may take, and shall offer training
2154	2154	and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
2155	2155	(2) The commission shall provide a copy of the notice
2156	2156	of default to the other member states.
2157	2157	(c) If a state in default fails to cure the default,
2158	2158	the defaulting state may be terminated from this compact upon
2159	2159	an affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the
2160	2160	member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits
2161	2161	conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on
2162	2162	the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does
2163	2163	not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities
2164	2164	incurred during the period of default.
2165	2165	(d) Termination of membership in this compact shall be
2166	2166	imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have
2167	2167	been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall
2168	2168	be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and
2169	2169	minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, the
2170	2170	defaulting state's licensing authority, and the licensing
2171	2171	authority of each member state.
2172	2172	(e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for
2173	2173	all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through
2174	2174	the effective date of termination, including obligations that
2175	2175	extend beyond the effective date of termination.
2176	2176	(f) Upon the termination of a state's membership from
2177	2177	this compact, that state shall immediately provide notice to
2178	2178	all licensees within that state of the termination. The
2179	2179	terminated state shall continue to recognize all licenses
2180	2180	granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of six months
2181	2181	after the date of the notice of termination.
2182	2182	1037
2183	2183	1038
2184	2184	1039
2185	2185	1040
2186	2186	1041
2187	2187	1042
2188	2188	1043
2189	2189	1044
2190	2190	1045
2191	2191	1046
2192	2192	1047
2193	2193	1048
2194	2194	1049
2195	2195	1050
2196	2196	1051
2197	2197	1052
2198	2198	1053
2199	2199	1054
2200	2200	1055
2201	2201	1056
2202	2202	1057
2203	2203	1058
2204	2204	1059
2205	2205	1060
2206	2206	1061
2207	2207	1062
2208	2208	1063
2209	2209	1064 HB318 INTRODUCED
2210	2210	Page 39
2211	2211	after the date of the notice of termination.
2212	2212	(g) The commission shall not bear any costs related to
2213	2213	a state that is found to be in default or that has been
2214	2214	terminated from this compact, unless agreed upon in writing
2215	2215	between the commission and the defaulting state.
2216	2216	(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the
2217	2217	commission by petitioning the United States District Court for
2218	2218	the District of Columbia or the federal district where the
2219	2219	commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party
2220	2220	shall be awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable
2221	2221	attorney fees.
2222	2222	(i) Dispute resolution.
2223	2223	(1) Upon request by a member state, the commission
2224	2224	shall attempt to resolve disputes related to this compact that
2225	2225	arise among member states and between member and non-member
2226	2226	states.
2227	2227	(2) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for
2228	2228	both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as
2229	2229	appropriate.
2230	2230	(j) Enforcement.
2231	2231	(1) By majority vote as provided by rule, the
2232	2232	commission may initiate legal action against a member state in
2233	2233	default in the United States District Court for the District
2234	2234	of Columbia, or the federal district where the commission has
2235	2235	its principal offices, to enforce compliance with this compact
2236	2236	and its adopted rules. The relief sought may include both
2237	2237	injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial
2238	2238	enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be
2239	2239	awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney
2240	2240	1065
2241	2241	1066
2242	2242	1067
2243	2243	1068
2244	2244	1069
2245	2245	1070
2246	2246	1071
2247	2247	1072
2248	2248	1073
2249	2249	1074
2250	2250	1075
2251	2251	1076
2252	2252	1077
2253	2253	1078
2254	2254	1079
2255	2255	1080
2256	2256	1081
2257	2257	1082
2258	2258	1083
2259	2259	1084
2260	2260	1085
2261	2261	1086
2262	2262	1087
2263	2263	1088
2264	2264	1089
2265	2265	1090
2266	2266	1091
2267	2267	1092 HB318 INTRODUCED
2268	2268	Page 40
2269	2269	awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney
2270	2270	fees. The remedies shall not be the exclusive remedies of the
2271	2271	commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies
2272	2272	available under federal or the defaulting member state's law.
2273	2273	(2) A member state may initiate legal action against
2274	2274	the commission in the United States District Court for the
2275	2275	District of Columbia, or the federal district where the
2276	2276	commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance
2277	2277	with this compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may
2278	2278	include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event
2279	2279	judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall
2280	2280	be awarded all costs of the litigation, including reasonable
2281	2281	attorney fees.
2282	2282	(3) No party other than a member state shall enforce
2283	2283	this compact against the commission.
2284	2284	§34-30-113. Effective date, withdrawal, and amendment.
2285	2285	(a) The compact shall come into effect on the date on
2286	2286	which this compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh
2287	2287	member state.
2288	2288	(1) On or after the effective date of this compact, the
2289	2289	commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of
2290	2290	the first seven member states referred to as "charter member
2291	2291	states," to determine if the statute enacted by each charter
2292	2292	member state is materially different than the model compact
2293	2293	statute.
2294	2294	a. A charter member state whose enactment is found to
2295	2295	be materially different from this model compact statute shall
2296	2296	be entitled to the default process set forth in Section
2297	2297	34-30-112.
2298	2298	1093
2299	2299	1094
2300	2300	1095
2301	2301	1096
2302	2302	1097
2303	2303	1098
2304	2304	1099
2305	2305	1100
2306	2306	1101
2307	2307	1102
2308	2308	1103
2309	2309	1104
2310	2310	1105
2311	2311	1106
2312	2312	1107
2313	2313	1108
2314	2314	1109
2315	2315	1110
2316	2316	1111
2317	2317	1112
2318	2318	1113
2319	2319	1114
2320	2320	1115
2321	2321	1116
2322	2322	1117
2323	2323	1118
2324	2324	1119
2325	2325	1120 HB318 INTRODUCED
2326	2326	Page 41
2327	2327	34-30-112.
2328	2328	b. If any member state is later found to be in default,
2329	2329	or is terminated or withdraws from this compact, the
2330	2330	commission shall remain in existence and this compact shall
2331	2331	remain in effect even if the number of member states should be
2332	2332	less than seven.
2333	2333	(2) Member states enacting this compact subsequent to
2334	2334	the seven initial charter member states shall be subject to
2335	2335	the process set forth in Section 34-30-109(c)(21) to determine
2336	2336	if their enactments are materially different from the model
2337	2337	compact statute and whether they qualify for participation in
2338	2338	this compact.
2339	2339	(3) All actions taken for the benefit of the commission
2340	2340	or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of
2341	2341	this compact prior to the effective date of this compact or
2342	2342	the commission coming into existence shall be considered to be
2343	2343	actions of the commission unless specifically repudiated by
2344	2344	the commission.
2345	2345	(4) Any state that joins this compact subsequent to the
2346	2346	commission's initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be
2347	2347	subject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on
2348	2348	which this compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that
2349	2349	has been previously adopted by the commission shall have the
2350	2350	full force and effect of law on the day this compact becomes
2351	2351	law in that state.
2352	2352	(b) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by
2353	2353	enacting a statute to repeal this compact.
2354	2354	(1) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect
2355	2355	until 180 days after enactment of the repealing statute.
2356	2356	1121
2357	2357	1122
2358	2358	1123
2359	2359	1124
2360	2360	1125
2361	2361	1126
2362	2362	1127
2363	2363	1128
2364	2364	1129
2365	2365	1130
2366	2366	1131
2367	2367	1132
2368	2368	1133
2369	2369	1134
2370	2370	1135
2371	2371	1136
2372	2372	1137
2373	2373	1138
2374	2374	1139
2375	2375	1140
2376	2376	1141
2377	2377	1142
2378	2378	1143
2379	2379	1144
2380	2380	1145
2381	2381	1146
2382	2382	1147
2383	2383	1148 HB318 INTRODUCED
2384	2384	Page 42
2385	2385	until 180 days after enactment of the repealing statute.
2386	2386	(2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing
2387	2387	requirement of the withdrawing state's licensing authority to
2388	2388	comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting
2389	2389	requirements of this compact prior to the effective date of
2390	2390	withdrawal.
2391	2391	(3) Upon the enactment of a state withdrawing from this
2392	2392	compact, a state shall immediately provide notice of the
2393	2393	withdrawal to all licensees within that state. Notwithstanding
2394	2394	any subsequent statutory enactment to the contrary, the
2395	2395	withdrawing state shall continue to recognize all licenses
2396	2396	granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of 180 days
2397	2397	after the date of the notice of withdrawal.
2398	2398	(c) Nothing contained in this compact shall be
2399	2399	construed to invalidate or prevent any licensing agreement or
2400	2400	other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a
2401	2401	non-member state that does not conflict with this compact.
2402	2402	(d) This compact may be amended by the member states.
2403	2403	No amendment to this compact shall become effective and
2404	2404	binding upon any member state until the amendment is enacted
2405	2405	into the laws of all member states.
2406	2406	§34-30-114. Construction and severability.
2407	2407	(a) This compact and the commission's rulemaking
2408	2408	authority shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the
2409	2409	purposes, implementation, and administration of this compact.
2410	2410	Provisions of this compact expressly authorizing or requiring
2411	2411	the adoption of rules shall not be construed to limit the
2412	2412	commission's rulemaking authority solely for those purposes.
2413	2413	(b) The provisions of this compact shall be severable
2414	2414	1149
2415	2415	1150
2416	2416	1151
2417	2417	1152
2418	2418	1153
2419	2419	1154
2420	2420	1155
2421	2421	1156
2422	2422	1157
2423	2423	1158
2424	2424	1159
2425	2425	1160
2426	2426	1161
2427	2427	1162
2428	2428	1163
2429	2429	1164
2430	2430	1165
2431	2431	1166
2432	2432	1167
2433	2433	1168
2434	2434	1169
2435	2435	1170
2436	2436	1171
2437	2437	1172
2438	2438	1173
2439	2439	1174
2440	2440	1175
2441	2441	1176 HB318 INTRODUCED
2442	2442	Page 43
2443	2443	(b) The provisions of this compact shall be severable
2444	2444	and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this
2445	2445	compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
2446	2446	contrary to the constitution of any member state, a state
2447	2447	seeking participation in this compact, the United States, or
2448	2448	the applicability to any government, agency, individual, or
2449	2449	circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a court of
2450	2450	competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this
2451	2451	compact and the applicability to any other government, agency,
2452	2452	individual, or circumstance shall not be affected.
2453	2453	(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the commission may
2454	2454	deny a state's participation in this compact or, in accordance
2455	2455	with the requirements of Section 34-30-112(b), terminate a
2456	2456	member state's participation in this compact, if the
2457	2457	commission determines that a constitutional requirement of a
2458	2458	member state is a material departure from this compact.
2459	2459	Otherwise, if this compact shall be held to be contrary to the
2460	2460	constitution of any member state, this compact shall remain in
2461	2461	full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in
2462	2462	full force and effect as to the member state affected as to
2463	2463	all severable matters.
2464	2464	§34-30-115. Consistent effect and conflict with other
2465	2465	state laws.
2466	2466	(a) A licensee providing services in a remote state
2467	2467	under a multistate authorization to practice shall adhere to
2468	2468	the laws and rules, including laws, rules, and applicable
2469	2469	standards of the remote state where the client is located at
2470	2470	the time care is rendered.
2471	2471	(b) Nothing in this compact shall prevent or inhibit
2472	2472	1177
2473	2473	1178
2474	2474	1179
2475	2475	1180
2476	2476	1181
2477	2477	1182
2478	2478	1183
2479	2479	1184
2480	2480	1185
2481	2481	1186
2482	2482	1187
2483	2483	1188
2484	2484	1189
2485	2485	1190
2486	2486	1191
2487	2487	1192
2488	2488	1193
2489	2489	1194
2490	2490	1195
2491	2491	1196
2492	2492	1197
2493	2493	1198
2494	2494	1199
2495	2495	1200
2496	2496	1201
2497	2497	1202
2498	2498	1203
2499	2499	1204 HB318 INTRODUCED
2500	2500	Page 44
2501	2501	(b) Nothing in this compact shall prevent or inhibit
2502	2502	the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not
2503	2503	inconsistent with this compact.
2504	2504	(c) Any laws, statutes, rules, or other legal
2505	2505	requirements in a member state in conflict with this compact
2506	2506	are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
2507	2507	(d) All permissible agreements between the commission
2508	2508	and the member states are binding in accordance with their
2509	2509	terms.
2510	2510	§34-30-116. Judicial Proceedings by Individuals.
2511	2511	Except as to judicial proceedings for the enforcement
2512	2512	of this compact among member states, individuals may pursue
2513	2513	judicial proceedings related to this compact in any Alabama
2514	2514	state or federal court that would otherwise have competent
2515	2515	jurisdiction.
2516	2516	Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
2517	2517	1, 2024.
2518	2518	1205
2519	2519	1206
2520	2520	1207
2521	2521	1208
2522	2522	1209
2523	2523	1210
2524	2524	1211
2525	2525	1212
2526	2526	1213
2527	2527	1214
2528	2528	1215
2529	2529	1216
2530	2530	1217
2531	2531	1218
2532	2532	1219
2533	2533	1220