Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB336 Compare Versions

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

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1	1	HB336INTRODUCED
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3	3	HB336
4	4	3F7LZEE-1
5	5	By Representative Hassell
6	6	RFD: Health
7	7	First Read: 25-Feb-25
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12	12	5 3F7LZEE-1 02/19/2025 OW (L)cr 2025-621
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14	14	First Read: 25-Feb-25
15	15	SYNOPSIS:
16	16	This bill would adopt the Respiratory Care
17	17	Interstate Compact, as a means of providing uniformity
18	18	in licensing requirements and interstate practice
19	19	throughout member states.
20	20	This bill would establish requirements and
21	21	obligations for participation in this compact.
22	22	This bill would provide for disciplinary actions
23	23	and joint investigation procedures.
24	24	This bill would establish and provide for the
25	25	operation of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact
26	26	Commission.
27	27	This bill would also provide for the management,
28	28	implementation, and enforcement of the compact among
29	29	member states.
30	30	A BILL
31	31	TO BE ENTITLED
32	32	AN ACT
33	33	Relating to the practice of respiratory therapy; to
34	34	adopt the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact as Article 2 of
35	35	Chapter 27B of Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975; to allow
36	36	licensed respiratory therapists to practice among compact
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66	66	licensed respiratory therapists to practice among compact
67	67	states; to establish requirements and obligations for
68	68	participation in the compact; to provide for disciplinary
69	69	actions and joint investigation procedures; to establish and
70	70	provide for the operation of the Respiratory Care Interstate
71	71	Compact Commission; and to provide for the management,
72	72	implementation, and enforcement of the compact among member
73	73	states.
74	74	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
75	75	Section 1. Sections 34-27B-1 through 34-27B-14, Code of
76	76	Alabama 1975, are designated as Article 1 of Chapter 27B of
77	77	Title 34, Code of Alabama 1975.
78	78	Section 2. Article 2, commencing with Section
79	79	34-27B-50, is added to Chapter 27B of Title 34, Code of
80	80	Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
81	81	Article 2. RESPIRATORY CARE INTERSTATE COMPACT
82	82	§34-27B-50. Purpose.
83	83	(a) The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the
84	84	interstate practice of respiratory therapy with the goal of
85	85	improving public access to respiratory therapy services by
86	86	providing respiratory therapists licensed in a member state
87	87	the ability to practice in other member states. The compact
88	88	preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public
89	89	health and safety through the current system of state
90	90	licensure.
91	91	(b) This compact is designed to achieve the following
92	92	objectives:
93	93	(1) Increase public access to respiratory therapy
94	94	services by creating a responsible, streamlined pathway for
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124	124	services by creating a responsible, streamlined pathway for
125	125	licensees to practice in member states with the goal of
126	126	improving outcomes for patients.
127	127	(2) Enhance states' ability to protect the public's
128	128	health and safety.
129	129	(3) Promote the cooperation of member states in
130	130	regulating the practice of respiratory therapy within those
131	131	member states.
132	132	(4) Ease administrative burdens on states by
133	133	encouraging the cooperation of member states in regulating
134	134	multi-state respiratory therapy practice.
135	135	(5) Support relocating active military members and
136	136	their spouses.
137	137	(6) Promote mobility and address workforce shortages.
138	138	§34-27B-51. Definitions.
139	139	As used in this compact, the following terms have the
140	140	following meanings:
141	141	(1) ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBER. Any person with a full-time
142	142	duty status in the Armed Forces of the United States,
143	143	including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
144	144	(2) ADVERSE ACTION. Any administrative, civil,
145	145	equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state's laws
146	146	which is imposed by any state authority with regulatory
147	147	authority over respiratory therapists, such as license denial,
148	148	censure, revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the
149	149	licensee, or restriction on the licensee's practice, not
150	150	including participation in an alternative program.
151	151	(3) ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM. A nondisciplinary monitoring
152	152	or practice remediation process applicable to a respiratory
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182	182	or practice remediation process applicable to a respiratory
183	183	therapist approved by any state authority with regulatory
184	184	authority over respiratory therapists. This includes, but is
185	185	not limited to, programs to which licensees with substance
186	186	abuse or addiction issues are referred in lieu of adverse
187	187	action.
188	188	(4) CHARTER MEMBER STATES. Those member states who were
189	189	the first seven states to enact the compact into the laws of
190	190	their state.
191	191	(5) COMMISSION or RESPIRATORY CARE INTERSTATE COMPACT
192	192	COMMISSION. The government instrumentality and body politic
193	193	whose membership consists of all member states that have
194	194	enacted the compact.
195	195	(6) COMMISSIONER. The individual appointed by a member
196	196	state to serve as the member of the commission for that member
197	197	state.
198	198	(7) COMPACT. The Respiratory Care Interstate Compact.
199	199	(8) COMPACT PRIVILEGE. The authorization granted by a
200	200	remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to
201	201	practice as a respiratory therapist in the remote state under
202	202	the remote state's laws and rules. The practice of respiratory
203	203	therapy occurs in the member state where the patient is
204	204	located at the time of the patient encounter.
205	205	(9) CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. The submission by the
206	206	member state of fingerprints or other biometric-based
207	207	information on license applicants at the time of initial
208	208	licensing for the purpose of obtaining that applicant's
209	209	criminal history record information, as defined in 28 C.F.R. §
210	210	20.3(d) or successor provision, from the Federal Bureau of
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240	240	20.3(d) or successor provision, from the Federal Bureau of
241	241	Investigation and the state's criminal history record
242	242	repository, as defined in 28 C.F.R. § 20.3(f) or successor
243	243	provision.
244	244	(10) DATA SYSTEM. The commission's repository of
245	245	information about licensees as further set forth in Section
246	246	34-27B-57.
247	247	(11) DOMICILE. The jurisdiction which is the licensee's
248	248	principal home for legal purposes.
249	249	(12) ENCUMBERED LICENSE. A license that a state's
250	250	respiratory therapy licensing authority has limited in any
251	251	way.
252	252	(13) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A group of directors elected
253	253	or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers
254	254	granted to them, by the commission.
255	255	(14) HOME STATE. Except as set forth in Section
256	256	34-27B-54, the member state that is the licensee's primary
257	257	domicile.
258	258	(15) HOME STATE LICENSE. An active license to practice
259	259	respiratory therapy in a home state that is not an encumbered
260	260	license.
261	261	(16) JURISPRUDENCE REQUIREMENT. An assessment of an
262	262	individual's knowledge of the state rules governing the
263	263	practice of respiratory therapy in such state.
264	264	(17) LICENSEE. An individual who currently holds an
265	265	authorization from the state to practice as a respiratory
266	266	therapist.
267	267	(18) MEMBER STATE. A state that has enacted the compact
268	268	and been admitted to the commission in accordance with the
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298	298	and been admitted to the commission in accordance with the
299	299	provisions herein and commission rules.
300	300	(19) MODEL COMPACT. The model for the Respiratory Care
301	301	Interstate Compact on file with The Council of State
302	302	Governments or other entity as designated by the commission.
303	303	(20) REMOTE STATE. A member state where a licensee is
304	304	exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege.
305	305	(21) RESPIRATORY THERAPIST or RESPIRATORY CARE
306	306	PRACTITIONER. An individual who holds a credential issued by
307	307	the National Board for Respiratory Care, or its successor, and
308	308	who holds a license to practice respiratory therapy, and who
309	309	meets all of the requirements outlined in Section 34-27B-3.
310	310	For purposes of this compact, any other title or status
311	311	adopted by a state to replace the term "respiratory therapist"
312	312	or "respiratory care practitioner" shall be deemed synonymous
313	313	with "respiratory therapist" and shall confer the same rights
314	314	and responsibilities to the licensee under the provisions of
315	315	this compact at the time of its enactment.
316	316	(22) RESPIRATORY THERAPY, RESPIRATORY THERAPY PRACTICE,
317	317	RESPIRATORY CARE, THE PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY CARE, or THE
318	318	PRACTICE OF RESPIRATORY THERAPY. The care and services
319	319	provided by or under the direction and supervision of a
320	320	respiratory therapist or respiratory care practitioner as set
321	321	forth in the member state's statutes and rules in the state
322	322	where the services are being provided.
323	323	(23) RESPIRATORY THERAPY LICENSING AUTHORITY. The
324	324	agency, board, or other body of a state that is responsible
325	325	for licensing and regulation of respiratory therapists.
326	326	(24) RULE. A regulation adopted by an entity that has
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356	356	(24) RULE. A regulation adopted by an entity that has
357	357	the force and effect of law.
358	358	(25) SCOPE OF PRACTICE. The procedures, actions, and
359	359	processes a respiratory therapist licensed in a state or
360	360	practicing under a compact privilege in a state is permitted
361	361	to undertake in that state and the circumstances under which
362	362	the respiratory therapist is permitted to undertake those
363	363	procedures, actions, and processes. Such procedures, actions,
364	364	and processes, and the circumstances under which they may be
365	365	undertaken may be established through means, including, but
366	366	not limited to, statute, rules, case law, and other processes
367	367	available to the state respiratory therapy licensing authority
368	368	or other government agency.
369	369	(26) SIGNIFICANT INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION.
370	370	Information, records, and documents received or generated by a
371	371	state respiratory therapy licensing authority pursuant to an
372	372	investigation for which a determination has been made that
373	373	there is probable cause to believe that the licensee has
374	374	violated a statute or rule that is considered more than a
375	375	minor infraction for which the state respiratory therapy
376	376	licensing authority could pursue adverse action against the
377	377	licensee.
378	378	(27) STATE. Any state, commonwealth, district, or
379	379	territory of the United States.
380	380	§34-27B-52. State Participation in the Compact.
381	381	(a) In order to participate in this compact and
382	382	thereafter continue as a member state, a member state shall do
383	383	all of the following:
384	384	(1) Enact a compact that is not materially different
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414	414	(1) Enact a compact that is not materially different
415	415	from the model compact.
416	416	(2) License respiratory therapists.
417	417	(3) Participate in the commission's data system.
418	418	(4) Have a mechanism in place for receiving and
419	419	investigating complaints against licensees and compact
420	420	privilege holders.
421	421	(5) Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms
422	422	of this compact and commission rules, of any adverse action
423	423	against a licensee, a compact privilege holder, or a license
424	424	applicant.
425	425	(6) Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms
426	426	of this compact and commission rules, of the existence of
427	427	significant investigative information.
428	428	(7) Comply with the rules of the commission.
429	429	(8) Grant the compact privilege to a holder of an
430	430	active home state license and otherwise meet the applicable
431	431	requirements of Section 34-27B-53 in a member state.
432	432	(9) Complete a criminal background check for each new
433	433	licensee at the time of initial licensure. Where expressly
434	434	authorized or permitted by federal law, whether such federal
435	435	law is in effect prior to, at, or after the time of a member
436	436	state's enactment of this compact, a member state's enactment
437	437	of this compact shall hereby authorize the member state's
438	438	respiratory therapy licensing authority to perform criminal
439	439	background checks as defined herein. The absence of such a
440	440	federal law as described in this subsection shall not prevent
441	441	or preclude such authorization where it may be derived or
442	442	granted through means other than the enactment of this
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472	472	granted through means other than the enactment of this
473	473	compact.
474	474	(b) Nothing in this compact prohibits a member state
475	475	from charging a fee for granting and renewing the compact
476	476	privilege.
477	477	§34-27B-53. Compact Privilege.
478	478	(a) To exercise the compact privilege under the terms
479	479	and provisions of the compact, the licensee shall do all of
480	480	the following:
481	481	(1) Hold and maintain an active home state license as a
482	482	respiratory therapist.
483	483	(2) Hold and maintain an active credential from the
484	484	National Board for Respiratory Care, or its successor, that
485	485	would qualify them for licensure in the remote state in which
486	486	they are seeking the privilege.
487	487	(3) Have not had any adverse action against a license
488	488	within the previous two years.
489	489	(4) Notify the commission that the licensee is seeking
490	490	the compact privilege within a remote state or states.
491	491	(5) Pay any applicable fees, including any state and
492	492	commission fees and renewal fees, for the compact privilege.
493	493	(6) Meet any jurisprudence requirements established by
494	494	the remote state in which the licensee is seeking a compact
495	495	privilege.
496	496	(7) Report to the commission any adverse action taken
497	497	by any non-member state within 30 days from the date the
498	498	adverse action is taken.
499	499	(8) Report to the commission, when applying for a
500	500	compact privilege, the address of the licensee's domicile and
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530	530	compact privilege, the address of the licensee's domicile and
531	531	thereafter promptly report to the commission any change in the
532	532	address of the licensee's domicile within 30 days of the
533	533	effective date of the change in address.
534	534	(9) Consent to accept service of process by U.S. mail
535	535	at the licensee's domicile on record with the commission with
536	536	respect to any action brought against the licensee by the
537	537	commission or a member state, and consent to accept service of
538	538	a subpoena by U.S. mail at the licensee's domicile on record
539	539	with the commission with respect to any action brought or
540	540	investigation conducted by the commission or a member state.
541	541	(b) The compact privilege is valid until the expiration
542	542	date or revocation of the home state license unless terminated
543	543	pursuant to adverse action. The licensee must comply with all
544	544	of the requirements of subsection (a) to maintain the compact
545	545	privilege in a remote state. If those requirements are met, no
546	546	adverse actions are taken, and the licensee has paid any
547	547	applicable compact privilege renewal fees, then the licensee
548	548	will maintain the licensee's compact privilege.
549	549	(c) A licensee providing respiratory therapy in a
550	550	remote state under the compact privilege shall function within
551	551	the scope of practice authorized by the remote state for the
552	552	type of respiratory therapist license the licensee holds. Such
553	553	procedures, actions, processes, and the circumstances under
554	554	which they may be undertaken may be established through means,
555	555	including, but not limited to, statute, rules, case law, and
556	556	other processes available to the state respiratory therapy
557	557	licensing authority or other government agency.
558	558	(d) If a licensee's compact privilege in a remote state
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588	588	(d) If a licensee's compact privilege in a remote state
589	589	is removed by the remote state, the individual shall lose or
590	590	be ineligible for the compact privilege in that remote state
591	591	until the compact privilege is no longer limited or restricted
592	592	by that state.
593	593	(e) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee
594	594	shall lose the compact privilege in all remote states until
595	595	both of the following occur:
596	596	(1) The home state license is no longer encumbered.
597	597	(2) Two years have elapsed from the date on which the
598	598	license is no longer encumbered due to the adverse action.
599	599	(f) Once a licensee with a restricted or limited
600	600	license meets the requirements of subsection (e), the licensee
601	601	must also meet the requirements of subsection (a) to obtain a
602	602	compact privilege in a remote state.
603	603	§34-27B-54. Active Military Member or Their Spouse.
604	604	(a) An active military member or their spouse shall
605	605	designate a home state where the individual has a current
606	606	license in good standing. The individual may retain the home
607	607	state designation during the period the service member is on
608	608	active duty.
609	609	(b) An active military member and their spouse shall
610	610	not be required to pay to the commission for a compact
611	611	privilege any fee that may otherwise be charged by the
612	612	commission. If a remote state chooses to charge a fee for a
613	613	compact privilege, it may choose to charge a reduced fee or no
614	614	fee to an active military member and their spouse for a
615	615	compact privilege.
616	616	§34-27B-55. Adverse Actions.
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646	646	§34-27B-55. Adverse Actions.
647	647	(a) A member state in which a licensee is licensed
648	648	shall have authority to impose adverse action against the
649	649	license issued by that member state.
650	650	(b) A member state may take adverse action based on
651	651	significant investigative information of a remote state or the
652	652	home state, so long as the member state follows its own
653	653	procedures for imposing adverse action.
654	654	(c) Nothing in this compact shall override a member
655	655	state's decision that participation in an alternative program
656	656	may be used in lieu of adverse action and that such
657	657	participation shall remain nonpublic if required by the member
658	658	state's laws.
659	659	(d) A remote state shall have the authority to:
660	660	(1) Take adverse actions as set forth herein against a
661	661	licensee's compact privilege in that state.
662	662	(2) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and
663	663	investigations that require the attendance and testimony of
664	664	witnesses, and the production of evidence.
665	665	a. Subpoenas may be issued by a respiratory therapy
666	666	licensing authority in a member state for the attendance and
667	667	testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence.
668	668	b. Subpoenas issued by a respiratory therapy licensing
669	669	authority in a member state for the attendance and testimony
670	670	of witnesses shall be enforced in the latter state by any
671	671	court of competent jurisdiction in the latter state, according
672	672	to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to
673	673	subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it.
674	674	c. Subpoenas issued by a respiratory therapy licensing
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677	677	311
678	678	312
679	679	313
680	680	314
681	681	315
682	682	316
683	683	317
684	684	318
685	685	319
686	686	320
687	687	321
688	688	322
689	689	323
690	690	324
691	691	325
692	692	326
693	693	327
694	694	328
695	695	329
696	696	330
697	697	331
698	698	332
699	699	333
700	700	334
701	701	335
702	702	336 HB336 INTRODUCED
703	703	Page 13
704	704	c. Subpoenas issued by a respiratory therapy licensing
705	705	authority in a member state for production of evidence from
706	706	another member state shall be enforced in the latter state,
707	707	according to the practice and procedure of that court
708	708	applicable to subpoenas issued in the proceedings pending
709	709	before it.
710	710	d. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees,
711	711	travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the
712	712	service statutes of the state where the witnesses or evidence
713	713	are located.
714	714	(3) Unless otherwise prohibited by state law, recover
715	715	from the licensee the costs of investigations and disposition
716	716	of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that
717	717	licensee.
718	718	(4) Notwithstanding subdivision (d)(2), a member state
719	719	may not issue a subpoena to gather evidence of conduct in
720	720	another member state that is lawful in such other member state
721	721	for the purpose of taking adverse action against a licensee's
722	722	compact privilege or application for a compact privilege in
723	723	that member state.
724	724	(5) Nothing in this compact authorizes a member state
725	725	to impose discipline against a respiratory therapist's compact
726	726	privilege in that member state for the individual's otherwise
727	727	lawful practice in another state.
728	728	(e) Joint investigations.
729	729	(1) In addition to the authority granted to a member
730	730	state by its respective Respiratory Therapy Practice Act or
731	731	other applicable state law, a member state may participate
732	732	with other member states in joint investigations of licensees,
733	733	337
734	734	338
735	735	339
736	736	340
737	737	341
738	738	342
739	739	343
740	740	344
741	741	345
742	742	346
743	743	347
744	744	348
745	745	349
746	746	350
747	747	351
748	748	352
749	749	353
750	750	354
751	751	355
752	752	356
753	753	357
754	754	358
755	755	359
756	756	360
757	757	361
758	758	362
759	759	363
760	760	364 HB336 INTRODUCED
761	761	Page 14
762	762	with other member states in joint investigations of licensees,
763	763	provided, however, that a member state receiving such a
764	764	request has no obligation to respond to any subpoena issued
765	765	regarding an investigation of conduct or practice that was
766	766	lawful in a member state at the time it was undertaken.
767	767	(2) Member states shall share any significant
768	768	investigative information, litigation, or compliance materials
769	769	in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation
770	770	initiated under the compact. In sharing such information
771	771	between member state respiratory therapy licensing
772	772	authorities, all information obtained shall be kept
773	773	confidential, except as otherwise mutually agreed upon by the
774	774	sharing and receiving member state or states.
775	775	(f) Nothing in this compact permits a member state to
776	776	take any adverse action against a licensee or holder of a
777	777	compact privilege for conduct or practice that was legal in
778	778	the member state at the time it was undertaken.
779	779	(g) Nothing in this compact permits a member state to
780	780	take disciplinary action against a licensee or holder of a
781	781	compact privilege for conduct or practice that was legal in
782	782	the member state at the time it was undertaken.
783	783	§34-27B-56. Establishment of the Respiratory Care
784	784	Interstate Compact Commission.
785	785	(a) The compact member states hereby create and
786	786	establish a joint government agency whose membership consists
787	787	of all member states that have enacted the compact known as
788	788	the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission. The
789	789	commission is an instrumentality of the compact member states
790	790	acting jointly and not an instrumentality of any one state.
791	791	365
792	792	366
793	793	367
794	794	368
795	795	369
796	796	370
797	797	371
798	798	372
799	799	373
800	800	374
801	801	375
802	802	376
803	803	377
804	804	378
805	805	379
806	806	380
807	807	381
808	808	382
809	809	383
810	810	384
811	811	385
812	812	386
813	813	387
814	814	388
815	815	389
816	816	390
817	817	391
818	818	392 HB336 INTRODUCED
819	819	Page 15
820	820	acting jointly and not an instrumentality of any one state.
821	821	The commission shall come into existence on or after the
822	822	effective date of the compact, as set forth in Section
823	823	34-27B-60.
824	824	(b) Membership, voting, and meetings.
825	825	(1) Each member state shall have and be limited to one
826	826	commissioner selected by that member state's respiratory
827	827	therapy licensing authority.
828	828	(2) The commissioner shall be an administrator or their
829	829	designated staff member of the member state's respiratory
830	830	therapy licensing authority.
831	831	(3) The commission, by rule or bylaw, shall establish a
832	832	term of office for commissioners and, by rule or bylaw, may
833	833	establish term limits.
834	834	(4) The commission may recommend to a member state the
835	835	removal or suspension of any commissioner from office.
836	836	(5) A member state's respiratory therapy licensing
837	837	authority shall fill any vacancy of its commissioner occurring
838	838	on the commission within 60 days of the vacancy.
839	839	(6) Each commissioner shall be entitled to one vote on
840	840	all matters before the commission requiring a vote by
841	841	commissioners.
842	842	(7) A commissioner shall vote in person or by such
843	843	other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide
844	844	for commissioners to meet by telecommunication, video
845	845	conference, or other means of communication.
846	846	(8) The commission shall meet at least once during each
847	847	calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as set forth in
848	848	the bylaws.
849	849	393
850	850	394
851	851	395
852	852	396
853	853	397
854	854	398
855	855	399
856	856	400
857	857	401
858	858	402
859	859	403
860	860	404
861	861	405
862	862	406
863	863	407
864	864	408
865	865	409
866	866	410
867	867	411
868	868	412
869	869	413
870	870	414
871	871	415
872	872	416
873	873	417
874	874	418
875	875	419
876	876	420 HB336 INTRODUCED
877	877	Page 16
878	878	the bylaws.
879	879	(c) The commission shall have all of the following
880	880	powers:
881	881	(1) Establish and amend the fiscal year of the
882	882	commission.
883	883	(2) Establish and amend bylaws and policies, including,
884	884	but not limited to, a code of conduct and conflict of
885	885	interest.
886	886	(3) Establish and amend rules, which shall be binding
887	887	in all member states.
888	888	(4) Maintain its financial records in accordance with
889	889	the bylaws.
890	890	(5) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with
891	891	the provisions of this compact, the commission's rules, and
892	892	the bylaws.
893	893	(6) Initiate and conduct legal proceedings or actions
894	894	in the name of the commission; provided, that the standing of
895	895	any respiratory therapy licensing authority to sue or be sued
896	896	under applicable law shall not be affected.
897	897	(7) Maintain and certify records and information
898	898	provided to a member state as the authenticated business
899	899	records of the commission, and designate an agent to do so on
900	900	the commission's behalf.
901	901	(8) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
902	902	(9) Accept or contract for services of personnel,
903	903	including, but not limited to, employees of a member state.
904	904	(10) Conduct an annual financial review.
905	905	(11) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix
906	906	compensation, define duties, grant such individuals
907	907	421
908	908	422
909	909	423
910	910	424
911	911	425
912	912	426
913	913	427
914	914	428
915	915	429
916	916	430
917	917	431
918	918	432
919	919	433
920	920	434
921	921	435
922	922	436
923	923	437
924	924	438
925	925	439
926	926	440
927	927	441
928	928	442
929	929	443
930	930	444
931	931	445
932	932	446
933	933	447
934	934	448 HB336 INTRODUCED
935	935	Page 17
936	936	compensation, define duties, grant such individuals
937	937	appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the
938	938	compact, and establish the commission's personnel policies and
939	939	programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of
940	940	personnel, and other related personnel matters.
941	941	(12) Assess and collect fees.
942	942	(13) Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations,
943	943	grants of money, other sources of revenue, equipment,
944	944	supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and
945	945	dispose of the same, provided that at all times:
946	946	a. The commission shall avoid any appearance of
947	947	impropriety.
948	948	b. The commission shall avoid any appearance of
949	949	conflict of interest.
950	950	(14) Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or
951	951	use any property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided
952	952	interest therein.
953	953	(15) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
954	954	abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal,
955	955	or mixed.
956	956	(16) Establish a budget and make expenditures.
957	957	(17) Borrow money in a fiscally responsible manner.
958	958	(18) Appoint committees, including standing committees,
959	959	composed of commissioners, state regulators, state legislators
960	960	or their representatives, consumer representatives, and such
961	961	other interested persons as may be designated in this compact
962	962	and the bylaws.
963	963	(19) Provide and receive information from, and
964	964	cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.
965	965	449
966	966	450
967	967	451
968	968	452
969	969	453
970	970	454
971	971	455
972	972	456
973	973	457
974	974	458
975	975	459
976	976	460
977	977	461
978	978	462
979	979	463
980	980	464
981	981	465
982	982	466
983	983	467
984	984	468
985	985	469
986	986	470
987	987	471
988	988	472
989	989	473
990	990	474
991	991	475
992	992	476 HB336 INTRODUCED
993	993	Page 18
994	994	cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.
995	995	(20) Establish and elect an executive committee,
996	996	including a chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, and such
997	997	other offices as the commission shall establish by rule or
998	998	bylaw.
999	999	(21) Enter into contracts or arrangements for the
1000	1000	management of the affairs of the commission.
1001	1001	(22) Determine whether a state's adopted language is
1002	1002	materially different from the model compact language such that
1003	1003	the state would not qualify for participation in the compact.
1004	1004	(23) Perform such other functions as may be necessary
1005	1005	or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact.
1006	1006	(d) The Executive Committee.
1007	1007	(1) The executive committee shall have the power to act
1008	1008	on behalf of the commission according to the terms of this
1009	1009	compact. The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the
1010	1010	executive committee shall include all of the following:
1011	1011	a. Overseeing the day-to-day activities of the
1012	1012	administration of the compact, including enforcement and
1013	1013	compliance with the provisions of the compact, its rules and
1014	1014	bylaws, and other such duties as deemed necessary.
1015	1015	b. Recommending to the commission changes to the rules
1016	1016	or bylaws, changes to this compact legislation, fees charged
1017	1017	to compact member states, fees charged to licensees, and other
1018	1018	fees.
1019	1019	c. Ensuring compact administration services are
1020	1020	appropriately provided, including by contract.
1021	1021	d. Preparing and recommending the budget.
1022	1022	e. Maintaining financial records on behalf of the
1023	1023	477
1024	1024	478
1025	1025	479
1026	1026	480
1027	1027	481
1028	1028	482
1029	1029	483
1030	1030	484
1031	1031	485
1032	1032	486
1033	1033	487
1034	1034	488
1035	1035	489
1036	1036	490
1037	1037	491
1038	1038	492
1039	1039	493
1040	1040	494
1041	1041	495
1042	1042	496
1043	1043	497
1044	1044	498
1045	1045	499
1046	1046	500
1047	1047	501
1048	1048	502
1049	1049	503
1050	1050	504 HB336 INTRODUCED
1051	1051	Page 19
1052	1052	e. Maintaining financial records on behalf of the
1053	1053	commission.
1054	1054	f. Monitoring compact compliance of member states and
1055	1055	providing compliance reports to the commission.
1056	1056	g. Establishing additional committees as necessary.
1057	1057	h. Exercising the powers and duties of the commission
1058	1058	during the interim between commission meetings, except for
1059	1059	adopting or amending rules, adopting or amending bylaws, and
1060	1060	exercising any other powers and duties expressly reserved to
1061	1061	the commission by rule or bylaw.
1062	1062	i. Performing other duties as provided in the rules or
1063	1063	bylaws of the commission.
1064	1064	(2) The executive committee shall be composed of up to
1065	1065	nine members, as further set forth in the bylaws of the
1066	1066	commission:
1067	1067	a. Seven voting members who are elected by the
1068	1068	commission from the current membership of the commission; and
1069	1069	b. Two ex officio, nonvoting members.
1070	1070	(3) The commission may remove any member of the
1071	1071	executive committee as provided in the commission's bylaws.
1072	1072	(4) The executive committee shall meet at least
1073	1073	annually.
1074	1074	a. Executive committee meetings shall be open to the
1075	1075	public, except that the executive committee may meet in a
1076	1076	closed, nonpublic meeting as provided in subdivision (f)(4).
1077	1077	b. The executive committee shall give advance notice of
1078	1078	its meetings, posted on its website and as determined to
1079	1079	provide notice to persons with an interest in the business of
1080	1080	the commission.
1081	1081	505
1082	1082	506
1083	1083	507
1084	1084	508
1085	1085	509
1086	1086	510
1087	1087	511
1088	1088	512
1089	1089	513
1090	1090	514
1091	1091	515
1092	1092	516
1093	1093	517
1094	1094	518
1095	1095	519
1096	1096	520
1097	1097	521
1098	1098	522
1099	1099	523
1100	1100	524
1101	1101	525
1102	1102	526
1103	1103	527
1104	1104	528
1105	1105	529
1106	1106	530
1107	1107	531
1108	1108	532 HB336 INTRODUCED
1109	1109	Page 20
1110	1110	the commission.
1111	1111	c. The executive committee may hold a special meeting
1112	1112	in accordance with subdivision (f)(2).
1113	1113	(e) The commission shall adopt and provide to the
1114	1114	member states an annual report.
1115	1115	(f) Meetings of the commission.
1116	1116	(1) All meetings of the commission that are not closed
1117	1117	pursuant to subdivision (4) shall be open to the public.
1118	1118	Notice of public meetings shall be posted on the commission's
1119	1119	website at least 30 days prior to the public meeting.
1120	1120	(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1), the commission may
1121	1121	convene an emergency public meeting by providing at least
1122	1122	24-hours' prior notice on the commission's website, and any
1123	1123	other means as provided in the commission's rules, for any of
1124	1124	the reasons it may dispense with notice of proposed rulemaking
1125	1125	under Section 34-27B-58(g). The commission's legal counsel
1126	1126	shall certify that one of the reasons justifying an emergency
1127	1127	public meeting has been met.
1128	1128	(3) Notice of all commission meetings shall provide the
1129	1129	time, date, and location of the meeting, and if the meeting is
1130	1130	to be held or accessible via telecommunication, video
1131	1131	conference, or other electronic means, the notice shall
1132	1132	include the mechanism for access to the meeting.
1133	1133	(4) The commission or the executive committee may
1134	1134	convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting for the commission or
1135	1135	executive committee to receive or solicit legal advice or to
1136	1136	discuss any of the following:
1137	1137	a. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations
1138	1138	under the compact.
1139	1139	533
1140	1140	534
1141	1141	535
1142	1142	536
1143	1143	537
1144	1144	538
1145	1145	539
1146	1146	540
1147	1147	541
1148	1148	542
1149	1149	543
1150	1150	544
1151	1151	545
1152	1152	546
1153	1153	547
1154	1154	548
1155	1155	549
1156	1156	550
1157	1157	551
1158	1158	552
1159	1159	553
1160	1160	554
1161	1161	555
1162	1162	556
1163	1163	557
1164	1164	558
1165	1165	559
1166	1166	560 HB336 INTRODUCED
1167	1167	Page 21
1168	1168	under the compact.
1169	1169	b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other
1170	1170	matters, practices, or procedures related to specific
1171	1171	employees.
1172	1172	c. Current or threatened discipline of a licensee or
1173	1173	compact privilege holder by the commission or by a member
1174	1174	state's respiratory therapy licensing authority.
1175	1175	d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated
1176	1176	litigation.
1177	1177	e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or
1178	1178	sale of goods, services, or real estate.
1179	1179	f. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring
1180	1180	any person.
1181	1181	g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information
1182	1182	that is privileged or confidential.
1183	1183	h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure
1184	1184	would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal
1185	1185	privacy.
1186	1186	i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement
1187	1187	purposes.
1188	1188	j. Information related to any investigative reports
1189	1189	prepared by, or on behalf of or for use of, the commission or
1190	1190	other committee charged with responsibility of investigation
1191	1191	or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact.
1192	1192	k. Legal advice.
1193	1193	l. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by
1194	1194	federal or member state law.
1195	1195	m. Other matters as adopted by the commission by rule.
1196	1196	(5) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed,
1197	1197	561
1198	1198	562
1199	1199	563
1200	1200	564
1201	1201	565
1202	1202	566
1203	1203	567
1204	1204	568
1205	1205	569
1206	1206	570
1207	1207	571
1208	1208	572
1209	1209	573
1210	1210	574
1211	1211	575
1212	1212	576
1213	1213	577
1214	1214	578
1215	1215	579
1216	1216	580
1217	1217	581
1218	1218	582
1219	1219	583
1220	1220	584
1221	1221	585
1222	1222	586
1223	1223	587
1224	1224	588 HB336 INTRODUCED
1225	1225	Page 22
1226	1226	(5) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed,
1227	1227	the presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be
1228	1228	closed and reference each relevant exempting provision, and
1229	1229	such reference shall be recorded in the minutes.
1230	1230	(6) The commission shall keep minutes in accordance
1231	1231	with commission rules and bylaws. All documents considered in
1232	1232	connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes.
1233	1233	All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain
1234	1234	under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the
1235	1235	commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
1236	1236	(g) Financing of the commission.
1237	1237	(1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the
1238	1238	payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment,
1239	1239	organization, and ongoing activities.
1240	1240	(2) The commission may accept any and all appropriate
1241	1241	revenue sources as provided herein.
1242	1242	(3) The commission may levy on and collect an annual
1243	1243	assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees
1244	1244	of member states to whom it grants a compact privilege to
1245	1245	cover the cost of the operations and activities of the
1246	1246	commission and its staff. The aggregate annual assessment
1247	1247	amount for member states, if any, shall be allocated based
1248	1248	upon a formula that the commission shall adopt by rule.
1249	1249	(4) The commission shall not incur obligations of any
1250	1250	kind prior to securing the funds or a loan adequate to meet
1251	1251	the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of
1252	1252	the member states, except by and with the authority of the
1253	1253	member state.
1254	1254	(5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
1255	1255	589
1256	1256	590
1257	1257	591
1258	1258	592
1259	1259	593
1260	1260	594
1261	1261	595
1262	1262	596
1263	1263	597
1264	1264	598
1265	1265	599
1266	1266	600
1267	1267	601
1268	1268	602
1269	1269	603
1270	1270	604
1271	1271	605
1272	1272	606
1273	1273	607
1274	1274	608
1275	1275	609
1276	1276	610
1277	1277	611
1278	1278	612
1279	1279	613
1280	1280	614
1281	1281	615
1282	1282	616 HB336 INTRODUCED
1283	1283	Page 23
1284	1284	(5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
1285	1285	receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of
1286	1286	the commission shall be subject to the financial review and
1287	1287	accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However,
1288	1288	all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
1289	1289	commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a
1290	1290	certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the
1291	1291	financial review shall be included in and become part of the
1292	1292	annual report of the commission.
1293	1293	(h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.
1294	1294	(1) Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation
1295	1295	on the liability of any licensee for professional malpractice
1296	1296	or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other
1297	1297	applicable state laws.
1298	1298	(2) The member states, commissioners, officers,
1299	1299	executive directors, employees, and agents of the commission
1300	1300	shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and
1301	1301	in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or
1302	1302	loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability
1303	1303	caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error,
1304	1304	or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the
1305	1305	claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred
1306	1306	within the scope of commission employment, duties, or
1307	1307	responsibilities; provided, that nothing in this subsection
1308	1308	shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or
1309	1309	liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by
1310	1310	the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
1311	1311	The procurement of insurance of any type by the commission
1312	1312	shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted
1313	1313	617
1314	1314	618
1315	1315	619
1316	1316	620
1317	1317	621
1318	1318	622
1319	1319	623
1320	1320	624
1321	1321	625
1322	1322	626
1323	1323	627
1324	1324	628
1325	1325	629
1326	1326	630
1327	1327	631
1328	1328	632
1329	1329	633
1330	1330	634
1331	1331	635
1332	1332	636
1333	1333	637
1334	1334	638
1335	1335	639
1336	1336	640
1337	1337	641
1338	1338	642
1339	1339	643
1340	1340	644 HB336 INTRODUCED
1341	1341	Page 24
1342	1342	shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted
1343	1343	hereunder.
1344	1344	(3) The commission shall defend any commissioner,
1345	1345	officer, executive director, employee, and agent of the
1346	1346	commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability
1347	1347	arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission
1348	1348	that occurred within the scope of commission employment,
1349	1349	duties, or responsibilities, or as determined by the
1350	1350	commission that the person against whom the claim is made had
1351	1351	a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of
1352	1352	commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided,
1353	1353	that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person
1354	1354	from retaining their own counsel at their own expense; and
1355	1355	provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or
1356	1356	omission did not result from that person's intentional,
1357	1357	willful, or wanton misconduct.
1358	1358	(4) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless
1359	1359	any commissioner, member, officer, executive director,
1360	1360	employee, and agent of the commission for the amount of any
1361	1361	settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising
1362	1362	out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
1363	1363	occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or
1364	1364	responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis
1365	1365	for believing occurred within the scope of commission
1366	1366	employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided, that the
1367	1367	actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from
1368	1368	the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of that person.
1369	1369	(5) Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to
1370	1370	waive or otherwise abrogate a member state's state action
1371	1371	645
1372	1372	646
1373	1373	647
1374	1374	648
1375	1375	649
1376	1376	650
1377	1377	651
1378	1378	652
1379	1379	653
1380	1380	654
1381	1381	655
1382	1382	656
1383	1383	657
1384	1384	658
1385	1385	659
1386	1386	660
1387	1387	661
1388	1388	662
1389	1389	663
1390	1390	664
1391	1391	665
1392	1392	666
1393	1393	667
1394	1394	668
1395	1395	669
1396	1396	670
1397	1397	671
1398	1398	672 HB336 INTRODUCED
1399	1399	Page 25
1400	1400	waive or otherwise abrogate a member state's state action
1401	1401	immunity or state action affirmative defense with respect to
1402	1402	antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any
1403	1403	other state or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or
1404	1404	rule.
1405	1405	(6) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a
1406	1406	waiver of sovereign immunity by the member states or by the
1407	1407	commission.
1408	1408	§34-27B-57. Data System.
1409	1409	(a) The commission shall provide for the development,
1410	1410	maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated
1411	1411	database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse
1412	1412	action, and the presence of significant investigative
1413	1413	information.
1414	1414	(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to
1415	1415	the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set
1416	1416	to the data system as required by the rules of the commission,
1417	1417	including, but not limited to, all of the following:
1418	1418	(1) Identifying information.
1419	1419	(2) Licensure data.
1420	1420	(3) Adverse actions against a licensee, license
1421	1421	applicant, or compact privilege holder and information related
1422	1422	thereto.
1423	1423	(4) Nonconfidential information related to alternative
1424	1424	program participation, the beginning and ending dates of such
1425	1425	participation, and other information related to such
1426	1426	participation not made confidential under member state law.
1427	1427	(5) Any denial of application for licensure, and the
1428	1428	reason or reasons for such denial.
1429	1429	673
1430	1430	674
1431	1431	675
1432	1432	676
1433	1433	677
1434	1434	678
1435	1435	679
1436	1436	680
1437	1437	681
1438	1438	682
1439	1439	683
1440	1440	684
1441	1441	685
1442	1442	686
1443	1443	687
1444	1444	688
1445	1445	689
1446	1446	690
1447	1447	691
1448	1448	692
1449	1449	693
1450	1450	694
1451	1451	695
1452	1452	696
1453	1453	697
1454	1454	698
1455	1455	699
1456	1456	700 HB336 INTRODUCED
1457	1457	Page 26
1458	1458	reason or reasons for such denial.
1459	1459	(6) The presence of current significant investigative
1460	1460	information.
1461	1461	(7) Other information that may facilitate the
1462	1462	administration of this compact or the protection of the
1463	1463	public, as determined by the rules of the commission.
1464	1464	(c) No member state shall submit any information which
1465	1465	constitutes criminal history record information, as defined by
1466	1466	applicable federal law, to the data system established
1467	1467	hereunder.
1468	1468	(d) The records and information provided to a member
1469	1469	state pursuant to this compact or through the data system,
1470	1470	when certified by the commission or an agent thereof, shall
1471	1471	constitute the authenticated business records of the
1472	1472	commission, and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay
1473	1473	exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-judicial, or
1474	1474	administrative proceedings in a member state.
1475	1475	(e) Significant investigative information pertaining to
1476	1476	a licensee in any member state will only be available to other
1477	1477	member states.
1478	1478	(f) It is the responsibility of the member states to
1479	1479	report any adverse action against a licensee and to monitor
1480	1480	the database to determine whether adverse action has been
1481	1481	taken against a licensee. Adverse action information
1482	1482	pertaining to a licensee in any member state will be available
1483	1483	to any other member state.
1484	1484	(g) Member states contributing information to the data
1485	1485	system may designate information that may not be shared with
1486	1486	the public without the express permission of the contributing
1487	1487	701
1488	1488	702
1489	1489	703
1490	1490	704
1491	1491	705
1492	1492	706
1493	1493	707
1494	1494	708
1495	1495	709
1496	1496	710
1497	1497	711
1498	1498	712
1499	1499	713
1500	1500	714
1501	1501	715
1502	1502	716
1503	1503	717
1504	1504	718
1505	1505	719
1506	1506	720
1507	1507	721
1508	1508	722
1509	1509	723
1510	1510	724
1511	1511	725
1512	1512	726
1513	1513	727
1514	1514	728 HB336 INTRODUCED
1515	1515	Page 27
1516	1516	the public without the express permission of the contributing
1517	1517	state.
1518	1518	(h) Any information submitted to the data system that
1519	1519	is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws
1520	1520	of the member state contributing the information shall be
1521	1521	removed from the data system.
1522	1522	§34-27B-58. Rulemaking.
1523	1523	(a) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules in
1524	1524	order to effectively and efficiently implement and administer
1525	1525	the purposes and provisions of the compact. A rule shall be
1526	1526	invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of
1527	1527	competent jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because
1528	1528	the commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner
1529	1529	that is beyond the scope and purposes of the compact, or the
1530	1530	powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable
1531	1531	standard of review.
1532	1532	(b) For purposes of the compact, the rules of the
1533	1533	commission shall have the force of law in each member state.
1534	1534	(c) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers
1535	1535	pursuant to the criteria set forth in this section and the
1536	1536	rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding as of the
1537	1537	date specified in each rule.
1538	1538	(d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member
1539	1539	states rejects a rule or portion of a rule, by enactment of a
1540	1540	statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the
1541	1541	compact within four years of the date of adoption of the rule,
1542	1542	then the rule shall have no further force and effect in any
1543	1543	member state.
1544	1544	(e) Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special
1545	1545	729
1546	1546	730
1547	1547	731
1548	1548	732
1549	1549	733
1550	1550	734
1551	1551	735
1552	1552	736
1553	1553	737
1554	1554	738
1555	1555	739
1556	1556	740
1557	1557	741
1558	1558	742
1559	1559	743
1560	1560	744
1561	1561	745
1562	1562	746
1563	1563	747
1564	1564	748
1565	1565	749
1566	1566	750
1567	1567	751
1568	1568	752
1569	1569	753
1570	1570	754
1571	1571	755
1572	1572	756 HB336 INTRODUCED
1573	1573	Page 28
1574	1574	(e) Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special
1575	1575	meeting of the commission.
1576	1576	(f) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the
1577	1577	commission shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to
1578	1578	provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and
1579	1579	arguments.
1580	1580	(g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the
1581	1581	commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at
1582	1582	which the commission will hold a public hearing on the
1583	1583	proposed rule, the commission shall provide a notice of
1584	1584	proposed rulemaking:
1585	1585	(1) On the website of the commission or other publicly
1586	1586	accessible platform;
1587	1587	(2) To persons who have requested notice of the
1588	1588	commission's notices of proposed rulemaking; and
1589	1589	(3) In such other way or ways as the commission may by
1590	1590	rule specify.
1591	1591	(h) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include all
1592	1592	of the following:
1593	1593	(1) The time, date, and location of the public hearing
1594	1594	at which the commission will hear public comments on the
1595	1595	proposed rule and, if different, the time, date, and location
1596	1596	of the meeting where the commission will consider and vote on
1597	1597	the proposed rule.
1598	1598	(2) If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video
1599	1599	conference, or other electronic means, the commission shall
1600	1600	include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the notice
1601	1601	of proposed rulemaking.
1602	1602	(3) The text of the proposed rule and the reason
1603	1603	757
1604	1604	758
1605	1605	759
1606	1606	760
1607	1607	761
1608	1608	762
1609	1609	763
1610	1610	764
1611	1611	765
1612	1612	766
1613	1613	767
1614	1614	768
1615	1615	769
1616	1616	770
1617	1617	771
1618	1618	772
1619	1619	773
1620	1620	774
1621	1621	775
1622	1622	776
1623	1623	777
1624	1624	778
1625	1625	779
1626	1626	780
1627	1627	781
1628	1628	782
1629	1629	783
1630	1630	784 HB336 INTRODUCED
1631	1631	Page 29
1632	1632	(3) The text of the proposed rule and the reason
1633	1633	therefore.
1634	1634	(4) A request for comments on the proposed rule from
1635	1635	any interested person.
1636	1636	(5) The manner in which interested persons may submit
1637	1637	written comments.
1638	1638	(i) All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the
1639	1639	recording and all written comments and documents received by
1640	1640	the commission in response to the proposed rule shall be
1641	1641	available to the public.
1642	1642	(j) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
1643	1643	requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be
1644	1644	grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings
1645	1645	required by this section.
1646	1646	(k) The commission shall, by majority vote of all
1647	1647	commissioners, take final action on the proposed rule based on
1648	1648	the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
1649	1649	(1) The commission may adopt changes to the proposed
1650	1650	rule provided the changes are consistent with the original
1651	1651	purpose of the proposed rule.
1652	1652	(2) The commission shall provide an explanation of the
1653	1653	reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed rule as
1654	1654	well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were
1655	1655	recommended by commenters.
1656	1656	(3) The commission shall determine a reasonable
1657	1657	effective date for the rule. Except for an emergency as
1658	1658	provided in subsection (l), the effective date of the rule
1659	1659	shall be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that
1660	1660	it adopted or amended the rule.
1661	1661	785
1662	1662	786
1663	1663	787
1664	1664	788
1665	1665	789
1666	1666	790
1667	1667	791
1668	1668	792
1669	1669	793
1670	1670	794
1671	1671	795
1672	1672	796
1673	1673	797
1674	1674	798
1675	1675	799
1676	1676	800
1677	1677	801
1678	1678	802
1679	1679	803
1680	1680	804
1681	1681	805
1682	1682	806
1683	1683	807
1684	1684	808
1685	1685	809
1686	1686	810
1687	1687	811
1688	1688	812 HB336 INTRODUCED
1689	1689	Page 30
1690	1690	it adopted or amended the rule.
1691	1691	(l) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
1692	1692	commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with 24
1693	1693	hours' notice, and with opportunity to comment; provided, that
1694	1694	the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact and in
1695	1695	this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as
1696	1696	soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days
1697	1697	after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this
1698	1698	provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted
1699	1699	immediately in order to:
1700	1700	(1) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety,
1701	1701	or welfare;
1702	1702	(2) Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds;
1703	1703	(3) Meet a deadline for the adoption of a rule that is
1704	1704	established by federal law or rule; or
1705	1705	(4) Protect public health and safety.
1706	1706	(m) The commission or an authorized committee of the
1707	1707	commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule
1708	1708	for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in
1709	1709	format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public
1710	1710	notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the
1711	1711	commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any
1712	1712	person for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may
1713	1713	be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a
1714	1714	material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in
1715	1715	writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of
1716	1716	the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will
1717	1717	take effect without further action. If the revision is
1718	1718	challenged, the revision may not take effect without the
1719	1719	813
1720	1720	814
1721	1721	815
1722	1722	816
1723	1723	817
1724	1724	818
1725	1725	819
1726	1726	820
1727	1727	821
1728	1728	822
1729	1729	823
1730	1730	824
1731	1731	825
1732	1732	826
1733	1733	827
1734	1734	828
1735	1735	829
1736	1736	830
1737	1737	831
1738	1738	832
1739	1739	833
1740	1740	834
1741	1741	835
1742	1742	836
1743	1743	837
1744	1744	838
1745	1745	839
1746	1746	840 HB336 INTRODUCED
1747	1747	Page 31
1748	1748	challenged, the revision may not take effect without the
1749	1749	approval of the commission.
1750	1750	(n)(1) No member state's rulemaking process or
1751	1751	procedural requirements shall apply to the commission.
1752	1752	(2) The commission shall have no authority over any
1753	1753	member state's rulemaking process or procedural requirements
1754	1754	that do not pertain to the compact.
1755	1755	(o) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the
1756	1756	commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any
1757	1757	way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and enforce
1758	1758	laws or other rules related to the practice of respiratory
1759	1759	therapy in that state, where those laws, regulations, or other
1760	1760	rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this
1761	1761	compact.
1762	1762	§34-27B-59. Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and
1763	1763	Enforcement.
1764	1764	(a) Oversight.
1765	1765	(1) The executive and judicial branches of state
1766	1766	government in each member state shall enforce this compact and
1767	1767	take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement the
1768	1768	compact.
1769	1769	(2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or
1770	1770	against the commission shall be brought solely and exclusively
1771	1771	in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal
1772	1772	office of the commission is located. The commission may waive
1773	1773	venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or
1774	1774	consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution
1775	1775	proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the
1776	1776	selection or propriety of venue in any action against a
1777	1777	841
1778	1778	842
1779	1779	843
1780	1780	844
1781	1781	845
1782	1782	846
1783	1783	847
1784	1784	848
1785	1785	849
1786	1786	850
1787	1787	851
1788	1788	852
1789	1789	853
1790	1790	854
1791	1791	855
1792	1792	856
1793	1793	857
1794	1794	858
1795	1795	859
1796	1796	860
1797	1797	861
1798	1798	862
1799	1799	863
1800	1800	864
1801	1801	865
1802	1802	866
1803	1803	867
1804	1804	868 HB336 INTRODUCED
1805	1805	Page 32
1806	1806	selection or propriety of venue in any action against a
1807	1807	licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct, or any such
1808	1808	similar matter.
1809	1809	(3) The commission shall be entitled to receive service
1810	1810	of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or
1811	1811	interpretation of the compact and shall have standing to
1812	1812	intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to
1813	1813	provide the commission service of process shall render a
1814	1814	judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or
1815	1815	adopted rules.
1816	1816	(b) Default, technical assistance, and termination.
1817	1817	(1) If the commission determines that a member state
1818	1818	has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or
1819	1819	responsibilities under this compact or the adopted rules, the
1820	1820	commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting
1821	1821	state. The notice of default shall describe the default, the
1822	1822	proposed means of curing the default, and any other action
1823	1823	that the commission may take, and shall offer training and
1824	1824	specific technical assistance regarding the default.
1825	1825	(2) The commission shall provide a copy of the notice
1826	1826	of default to the other member states.
1827	1827	(c) If a state in default fails to cure the default,
1828	1828	the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon
1829	1829	an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the
1830	1830	member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits
1831	1831	conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on
1832	1832	the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does
1833	1833	not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities
1834	1834	incurred during the period of default.
1835	1835	869
1836	1836	870
1837	1837	871
1838	1838	872
1839	1839	873
1840	1840	874
1841	1841	875
1842	1842	876
1843	1843	877
1844	1844	878
1845	1845	879
1846	1846	880
1847	1847	881
1848	1848	882
1849	1849	883
1850	1850	884
1851	1851	885
1852	1852	886
1853	1853	887
1854	1854	888
1855	1855	889
1856	1856	890
1857	1857	891
1858	1858	892
1859	1859	893
1860	1860	894
1861	1861	895
1862	1862	896 HB336 INTRODUCED
1863	1863	Page 33
1864	1864	incurred during the period of default.
1865	1865	(d) Termination of membership in the compact shall be
1866	1866	imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have
1867	1867	been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall
1868	1868	be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and
1869	1869	minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, the
1870	1870	defaulting state's respiratory therapy licensing authority,
1871	1871	and each of the member states' respiratory therapy licensing
1872	1872	authorities.
1873	1873	(e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for
1874	1874	all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through
1875	1875	the effective date of termination, including obligations that
1876	1876	extend beyond the effective date of termination, if necessary.
1877	1877	(f) Upon the termination of a state's membership from
1878	1878	this compact, that state shall immediately provide notice to
1879	1879	all licensees and compact privilege holders, of which the
1880	1880	commission has a record, within that state of such
1881	1881	termination. The terminated state shall continue to recognize
1882	1882	all licenses granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of
1883	1883	180 days after the date of the notice of termination.
1884	1884	(g) The commission shall not bear any costs related to
1885	1885	a state that is found to be in default or that has been
1886	1886	terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing
1887	1887	between the commission and the defaulting state.
1888	1888	(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the
1889	1889	commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the
1890	1890	District of Columbia or the federal district where the
1891	1891	commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party
1892	1892	shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including
1893	1893	897
1894	1894	898
1895	1895	899
1896	1896	900
1897	1897	901
1898	1898	902
1899	1899	903
1900	1900	904
1901	1901	905
1902	1902	906
1903	1903	907
1904	1904	908
1905	1905	909
1906	1906	910
1907	1907	911
1908	1908	912
1909	1909	913
1910	1910	914
1911	1911	915
1912	1912	916
1913	1913	917
1914	1914	918
1915	1915	919
1916	1916	920
1917	1917	921
1918	1918	922
1919	1919	923
1920	1920	924 HB336 INTRODUCED
1921	1921	Page 34
1922	1922	shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including
1923	1923	reasonable attorney fees.
1924	1924	(i) Dispute resolution.
1925	1925	(1) Upon request by a member state, the commission
1926	1926	shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that
1927	1927	arise among member states and between member and nonmember
1928	1928	states.
1929	1929	(2) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for
1930	1930	both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as
1931	1931	appropriate.
1932	1932	(j) Enforcement.
1933	1933	(1) By majority vote, as may be further provided by
1934	1934	rule, the commission may initiate legal action against a
1935	1935	member state in default in the United States District Court
1936	1936	for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the
1937	1937	commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance
1938	1938	with the provisions of the compact and its adopted rules. A
1939	1939	member state by enactment of this compact consents to venue
1940	1940	and jurisdiction in such court for the purposes set forth
1941	1941	herein. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief
1942	1942	and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary,
1943	1943	the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such
1944	1944	litigation, including reasonable attorney fees. The remedies
1945	1945	herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission.
1946	1946	The commission may pursue any other remedies available under
1947	1947	federal or the defaulting member state's law.
1948	1948	(2) A member state may initiate legal action against
1949	1949	the commission in the U.S. District Court for the District of
1950	1950	Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its
1951	1951	925
1952	1952	926
1953	1953	927
1954	1954	928
1955	1955	929
1956	1956	930
1957	1957	931
1958	1958	932
1959	1959	933
1960	1960	934
1961	1961	935
1962	1962	936
1963	1963	937
1964	1964	938
1965	1965	939
1966	1966	940
1967	1967	941
1968	1968	942
1969	1969	943
1970	1970	944
1971	1971	945
1972	1972	946
1973	1973	947
1974	1974	948
1975	1975	949
1976	1976	950
1977	1977	951
1978	1978	952 HB336 INTRODUCED
1979	1979	Page 35
1980	1980	Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its
1981	1981	principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of
1982	1982	the compact and its adopted rules. The relief sought may
1983	1983	include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event
1984	1984	judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall
1985	1985	be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable
1986	1986	attorney fees.
1987	1987	(3) No person other than a member state shall enforce
1988	1988	this compact against the commission.
1989	1989	§34-27B-60. Effective Date, Withdrawal, and Amendment.
1990	1990	(a) The compact shall come into effect on the date on
1991	1991	which the compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh
1992	1992	member state.
1993	1993	(1) On or after the effective date of the compact, the
1994	1994	commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of
1995	1995	the first seven member states referred to as "charter member
1996	1996	states," to determine if the statute enacted by each charter
1997	1997	member state is materially different than the model compact.
1998	1998	a. A charter member state whose enactment is found to
1999	1999	be materially different from the model compact shall be
2000	2000	entitled to the default process set forth in Section
2001	2001	34-27B-59.
2002	2002	b. If any member state is later found to be in default,
2003	2003	or is terminated or withdraws from the compact, the commission
2004	2004	shall remain in existence and the compact shall remain in
2005	2005	effect even if the number of member states should be less than
2006	2006	seven.
2007	2007	(2) Member states enacting the compact subsequent to
2008	2008	the seven initial charter member states shall be subject to
2009	2009	953
2010	2010	954
2011	2011	955
2012	2012	956
2013	2013	957
2014	2014	958
2015	2015	959
2016	2016	960
2017	2017	961
2018	2018	962
2019	2019	963
2020	2020	964
2021	2021	965
2022	2022	966
2023	2023	967
2024	2024	968
2025	2025	969
2026	2026	970
2027	2027	971
2028	2028	972
2029	2029	973
2030	2030	974
2031	2031	975
2032	2032	976
2033	2033	977
2034	2034	978
2035	2035	979
2036	2036	980 HB336 INTRODUCED
2037	2037	Page 36
2038	2038	the seven initial charter member states shall be subject to
2039	2039	the process set forth herein and commission rule to determine
2040	2040	if their enactments are materially different from the model
2041	2041	compact and whether they qualify for participation in the
2042	2042	compact.
2043	2043	(3) All actions taken for the benefit of the commission
2044	2044	or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the
2045	2045	compact prior to the effective date of the compact or the
2046	2046	commission coming into existence shall be considered to be
2047	2047	actions of the commission unless specifically repudiated by
2048	2048	the commission. The commission shall own and have all rights
2049	2049	to any intellectual property developed on behalf or in
2050	2050	furtherance of the commission by individuals or entities
2051	2051	involved in organizing or establishing the commission, as may
2052	2052	be further set forth in rules of the commission.
2053	2053	(4) Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the
2054	2054	commission's initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be
2055	2055	subject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on
2056	2056	which the compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has
2057	2057	been previously adopted by the commission shall have the full
2058	2058	force and effect of law on the date the compact becomes law in
2059	2059	that state.
2060	2060	(b) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by
2061	2061	enacting a statute repealing the same.
2062	2062	(1) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect
2063	2063	until 180 days after enactment of the repealing statute.
2064	2064	(2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing
2065	2065	requirement of the withdrawing state's respiratory therapy
2066	2066	licensing authority to comply with the investigative and
2067	2067	981
2068	2068	982
2069	2069	983
2070	2070	984
2071	2071	985
2072	2072	986
2073	2073	987
2074	2074	988
2075	2075	989
2076	2076	990
2077	2077	991
2078	2078	992
2079	2079	993
2080	2080	994
2081	2081	995
2082	2082	996
2083	2083	997
2084	2084	998
2085	2085	999
2086	2086	1000
2087	2087	1001
2088	2088	1002
2089	2089	1003
2090	2090	1004
2091	2091	1005
2092	2092	1006
2093	2093	1007
2094	2094	1008 HB336 INTRODUCED
2095	2095	Page 37
2096	2096	licensing authority to comply with the investigative and
2097	2097	adverse action reporting requirements of this compact prior to
2098	2098	the effective date of withdrawal.
2099	2099	(3) Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from
2100	2100	this compact, a state shall immediately provide notice of such
2101	2101	withdrawal to all licensees and compact privilege holders, of
2102	2102	which the commission has a record, within that state.
2103	2103	Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the
2104	2104	contrary, such withdrawing state shall continue to recognize
2105	2105	all licenses granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of
2106	2106	180 days after the date of such notice of withdrawal.
2107	2107	(c) Nothing contained in this compact shall be
2108	2108	construed to invalidate or prevent any licensure agreement or
2109	2109	other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a
2110	2110	nonmember state that does not conflict with the provisions of
2111	2111	this compact.
2112	2112	(d) This compact may be amended by the member states.
2113	2113	No amendment to this compact shall become effective and
2114	2114	binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the
2115	2115	laws of all member states.
2116	2116	§34-27B-61. Construction and Severability.
2117	2117	(a) This compact and the commission's rulemaking
2118	2118	authority shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the
2119	2119	purposes and the implementation and administration of the
2120	2120	compact. Provisions of the compact expressly authorizing or
2121	2121	requiring the adoption of rules shall not be construed to
2122	2122	limit the commission's rulemaking authority solely for those
2123	2123	purposes.
2124	2124	(b) The provisions of this compact shall be severable,
2125	2125	1009
2126	2126	1010
2127	2127	1011
2128	2128	1012
2129	2129	1013
2130	2130	1014
2131	2131	1015
2132	2132	1016
2133	2133	1017
2134	2134	1018
2135	2135	1019
2136	2136	1020
2137	2137	1021
2138	2138	1022
2139	2139	1023
2140	2140	1024
2141	2141	1025
2142	2142	1026
2143	2143	1027
2144	2144	1028
2145	2145	1029
2146	2146	1030
2147	2147	1031
2148	2148	1032
2149	2149	1033
2150	2150	1034
2151	2151	1035
2152	2152	1036 HB336 INTRODUCED
2153	2153	Page 38
2154	2154	(b) The provisions of this compact shall be severable,
2155	2155	and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this
2156	2156	compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
2157	2157	contrary to the constitution of any member state, a state
2158	2158	seeking participation in the compact, or of the United States,
2159	2159	or the applicability thereof to any government, agency,
2160	2160	person, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional by a
2161	2161	court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder
2162	2162	of this compact and the applicability thereof to any other
2163	2163	government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be
2164	2164	affected thereby.
2165	2165	(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the commission may
2166	2166	deny a state's participation in the compact or, in accordance
2167	2167	with the requirements of Section 34-27B-59, terminate a member
2168	2168	state's participation in the compact, if it determines that a
2169	2169	constitutional requirement of a member state is a material
2170	2170	departure from the compact. Otherwise, if this compact shall
2171	2171	be held to be contrary to the constitution of any member
2172	2172	state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to
2173	2173	the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to
2174	2174	the member state affected as to all severable matters.
2175	2175	§34-27B-62. Consistent Effect and Conflict With Other
2176	2176	State Laws.
2177	2177	(a) Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the
2178	2178	enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not
2179	2179	inconsistent with the compact.
2180	2180	(b) Any laws, statutes, rules, or other legal
2181	2181	requirements in a member state in conflict with the compact
2182	2182	are superseded to the extent of the conflict, including any
2183	2183	1037
2184	2184	1038
2185	2185	1039
2186	2186	1040
2187	2187	1041
2188	2188	1042
2189	2189	1043
2190	2190	1044
2191	2191	1045
2192	2192	1046
2193	2193	1047
2194	2194	1048
2195	2195	1049
2196	2196	1050
2197	2197	1051
2198	2198	1052
2199	2199	1053
2200	2200	1054
2201	2201	1055
2202	2202	1056
2203	2203	1057
2204	2204	1058
2205	2205	1059
2206	2206	1060
2207	2207	1061
2208	2208	1062
2209	2209	1063
2210	2210	1064 HB336 INTRODUCED
2211	2211	Page 39
2212	2212	are superseded to the extent of the conflict, including any
2213	2213	subsequently enacted state laws.
2214	2214	(c) All permissible agreements between the commission
2215	2215	and the member states are binding in accordance with their
2216	2216	terms.
2217	2217	(d) Other than as expressly set forth herein, nothing
2218	2218	in this compact will impact initial licensure.
2219	2219	(d) Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to
2220	2220	modify, amend, repeal, or supersede any state criminal or
2221	2221	civil liability laws.
2222	2222	(e) In the event the commission adopts rules to
2223	2223	coordinate the implementation or administration of this
2224	2224	compact which conflict with Alabama law, Alabama law shall
2225	2225	supersede those rules, and Alabama state courts shall retain
2226	2226	sole jurisdiction to determine any conflicts.
2227	2227	(f) Alabama state courts shall retain sole jurisdiction
2228	2228	to determine whether provisions of this compact are in
2229	2229	conflict with state laws or the Constitution of Alabama of
2230	2230	2022.
2231	2231	(g) Except as to judicial proceedings for the
2232	2232	enforcement of this compact among member states, individuals
2233	2233	may pursue judicial proceedings related to this compact in any
2234	2234	Alabama state or federal court that would otherwise have
2235	2235	competent jurisdiction.
2236	2236	Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
2237	2237	1, 2025.
2238	2238	1065
2239	2239	1066
2240	2240	1067
2241	2241	1068
2242	2242	1069
2243	2243	1070
2244	2244	1071
2245	2245	1072
2246	2246	1073
2247	2247	1074
2248	2248	1075
2249	2249	1076
2250	2250	1077
2251	2251	1078
2252	2252	1079
2253	2253	1080
2254	2254	1081
2255	2255	1082
2256	2256	1083
2257	2257	1084
2258	2258	1085
2259	2259	1086
2260	2260	1087
2261	2261	1088
2262	2262	1089