UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 1 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed AN ACT relating to the Social Work Licensure Compact. 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2 SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS 335.010 TO 335.170 IS CREATED 3 TO READ AS FOLLOWS: 4 SECTION 1. PURPOSE 5 The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of regulated social 6 workers by improving public access to competent social work services. The compact 7 preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through 8 the current system of state licensure. This compact is designed to achieve the following 9 objectives: 10 A. Increase public access to social work services; 11 B. Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding 12 multiple licenses; 13 C. Enhance the member states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety; 14 D. Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice; 15 E. Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the necessity 16 for licenses in multiple states by providing for the mutual recognition of other 17 member state licenses; 18 F. Support military families; 19 G. Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary information among member 20 states; 21 H. Authorize all member states to hold a regulated social worker accountable for 22 abiding by a member state’s laws, regulations, and applicable professional 23 standards in the member state in which the client is located at the time care is 24 rendered; and 25 I. Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to regulated social 26 work services. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 2 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 1 As used in this compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions 2 shall apply: 3 A. "Active military member" means any individual with full-time duty status in the 4 active Armed Forces of the United States, including members of the National 5 Guard and Reserve; 6 B. "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action 7 permitted by a state’s laws which is imposed by a licensing authority or other 8 authority against a regulated social worker, including actions against an 9 individual’s license or multistate authorization to practice such as revocation, 10 suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee’s 11 practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a regulated social 12 worker’s authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist 13 action; 14 C. "Alternative program" means a nondisciplinary monitoring or practice 15 remediation process approved by a licensing authority to address practitioners 16 with an impairment; 17 D. "Charter member states" means member states that have enacted legislation to 18 adopt this compact where such legislation predates the effective date of this 19 compact as described in Section 14 of this compact; 20 E. "Compact commission" or "commission" means the government agency whose 21 membership consists of all states that have enacted this compact, which is known 22 as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, as described in Section 10 of 23 this compact, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of the member states; 24 F. "Current significant investigative information" means: 25 1. Investigative information that a licensing authority, after a preliminary 26 inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the regulated 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 3 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed social worker to respond, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if 1 proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction as may be defined 2 by the commission; or 3 2. Investigative information that indicates that the regulated social worker 4 represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, as may be 5 defined by the commission, regardless of whether the regulated social 6 worker has been notified and has had an opportunity to respond; 7 G. "Data system" means a repository of information about licensees, including but 8 not limited to continuing education, examination, licensure, current significant 9 investigative information, disqualifying event, multistate license or licenses, and 10 adverse action information or other information as required by the commission; 11 H. "Disqualifying event" means any adverse action or incident which results in an 12 encumbrance that disqualifies or makes the licensee ineligible to either obtain, 13 retain, or renew a multistate compact license; 14 I. "Domicile" means the jurisdiction in which the licensee resides and intends to 15 remain indefinitely; 16 J. "Encumbrance" means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the 17 full and unrestricted practice of social work licensed and regulated by a licensing 18 authority; 19 K. "Executive committee" means a group of delegates elected or appointed to act on 20 behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the compact and 21 commission; 22 L. "Home state" means the member state that is the licensee’s primary domicile; 23 M. "Impairment" means a condition or conditions that may impair a practitioner's 24 ability to engage in full and unrestricted practice as a regulated social worker 25 without some type of intervention and may include but are not limited to alcohol 26 and drug dependence, mental health impairment, and neurological or physical 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 4 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed impairments; 1 N. "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds a license from a state to 2 practice as a regulated social worker; 3 O. "Licensing authority" means the board or agency of a member state, or 4 equivalent, that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of regulated social 5 workers; 6 P. "Member state" means a state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United 7 States of America that has enacted the compact; 8 Q. "Multistate authorization to practice" means a legally authorized privilege to 9 practice, which is equivalent to a license, associated with a multistate license 10 permitting the practice of social work in a remote state; 11 R. "Multistate license" means a license to practice as a regulated social worker 12 issued by a home state licensing authority that authorizes the regulated social 13 worker to practice in all member states under a multistate authorization to 14 practice; 15 S. "Qualifying national exam" means a national licensing examination approved by 16 the commission; 17 T. "Regulated social worker" means any clinical, master’s, or bachelor’s social 18 worker licensed by a member state regardless of the title used by that member 19 state; 20 U. "Remote state" means a member state other than the licensee's home state; 21 V. "Rule of the commission" means a regulation or regulations duly promulgated 22 by the commission, as authorized by the compact, that has the force of law; 23 W. "Single state license" means a social work license issued by any state that 24 authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include multistate 25 authorization to practice in any member state; 26 X. "Social work" or social work services" means the application of social work 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 5 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or 1 enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, 2 couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities through the care and 3 services provided by a regulated social worker as set forth in the member state’s 4 statutes and regulations in the state where the services are being provided; 5 Y. "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States 6 of America that regulates the practice of social work; and 7 Z. "Unencumbered license" means a license that authorizes a regulated social 8 worker to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of social work. 9 SECTION 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 10 A. To be eligible to participate in the compact, a potential member state must 11 currently meet all the following criteria: 12 1. License and regulate the practice of social work at either the clinical, 13 master’s, or bachelor’s category; 14 2. Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a program that is: 15 a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 16 authority; 17 b. Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution that subsequently 18 becomes accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by either: 19 i. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its 20 successor; or 21 ii. The United States Department of Education; and 22 c. Corresponds to the licensure sought as outlined in Section 4 of this 23 compact; 24 3. Require applicants for clinical licensure to complete a period of supervised 25 practice; and 26 4. Have a mechanism in place for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 6 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed complaints about licensees. 1 B. To maintain membership in the compact, a member state shall: 2 1. Require that applicants for a multistate license pass a qualifying national 3 exam for the corresponding category of multistate license sought as 4 outlined in Section 4 of this compact; 5 2. Participate fully in the commission’s data system, including using the 6 commission’s unique identifier as defined in rules; 7 3. Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms of the compact and 8 rules, of any adverse action or the availability of current significant 9 investigative information regarding a licensee; 10 4. Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of 11 applicants for a multistate license. These procedures shall include the 12 submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by 13 applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s criminal history 14 record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 15 agency responsible for retaining that state’s criminal records; 16 5. Comply with the rules of the commission; 17 6. Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the home state and 18 meet the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, 19 as well as all other applicable home state laws; 20 7. Authorize a licensee holding a multistate license in any member state to 21 practice in accordance with the terms of the compact and rules of the 22 commission; and 23 8. Designate a delegate to participate in the commission meetings. 24 C. A member state meeting the requirements of subsections A. and B. of this section 25 shall designate the categories of social work licensure that are eligible for 26 issuance of a multistate license for applicants in that member state. To the extent 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 7 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed that any member state does not meet the requirements for participation in the 1 compact at any particular category of social work licensure, such member state 2 may choose, but is not obligated to, issue a multistate license to applicants that 3 otherwise meet the requirements of Section 4 of this compact for issuance of a 4 multistate license in such category or categories of licensure. 5 D. The home state may charge a fee for granting the multistate compact license. 6 SECTION 4. SOCIAL WORKER PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 7 A. To be eligible for a multistate license under the terms and provisions of the 8 compact, an applicant, regardless of category, must: 9 1. Hold or be eligible for an active, unencumbered license in the home state; 10 2. Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the multistate license; 11 3. Submit, in connection with an application for a multistate license, 12 fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal 13 history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 14 the agency responsible for retaining that state’s criminal records; 15 4. Notify the home state of any adverse action, encumbrance, or restriction on 16 any professional license taken by any member state or nonmember state 17 within thirty (30) days from the date the action is taken; 18 5. Meet any continuing competence requirements established by the home 19 state; and 20 6. Abide by the laws, regulations, and applicable standards in the member 21 state where the client is located at the time care is rendered. 22 B. An applicant for a clinical-category multistate license must meet all of the 23 following requirements: 24 1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 25 a. Passage of a clinical-category qualifying national exam; or 26 b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the clinical category, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 8 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam was 1 required by the home state and accompanied by a period of continuous 2 social work licensure thereafter, all of which may be further governed 3 by the rules of the commission; or 4 c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 5 which the commission may determine by rule; 6 2. Attain at least a master’s degree in social work from a program that is: 7 a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 8 authority; and 9 b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 10 an accrediting agency recognized by either: 11 i. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its 12 successor; or 13 ii. The United States Department of Education; and 14 3. Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating 15 completion of either: 16 a. A period of postgraduate supervised clinical practice equal to a 17 minimum of three thousand (3,000) hours; 18 b. A minimum of two (2) years of full-time postgraduate supervised 19 clinical practice; or 20 c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing practice requirements 21 which the commission may determine by rule. 22 C. An applicant for a master’s-category multistate license must meet all of the 23 following requirements: 24 1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 25 a. Passage of a master's-category qualifying national exam; 26 b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the master’s category, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 9 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam was 1 required by the home state at the master’s category and accompanied 2 by a continuous period of social work licensure thereafter, all of 3 which may be further governed by the rules of the commission; or 4 c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 5 which the commission may determine by rule; and 6 2. Attain at least a master’s degree in social work from a program that is: 7 a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 8 authority; and 9 b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 10 an accrediting agency recognized by either: 11 i. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its 12 successor; or 13 ii. The United States Department of Education. 14 D. An applicant for a bachelor’s-category multistate license must meet all of the 15 following requirements: 16 1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either: 17 a. Passage of a bachelor’s-category qualifying national exam; 18 b. Licensure of the applicant in their home state at the bachelor’s 19 category, beginning prior to such time as a qualifying national exam 20 was required by the home state and accompanied by a period of 21 continuous social work licensure thereafter, all of which may be 22 further governed by the rules of the commission; or 23 c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements 24 which the commission may determine by rule; and 25 2. Attain at least a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program that is: 26 a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the licensing 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 10 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed authority; and 1 b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by 2 an accrediting agency recognized by either: 3 i. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its 4 successor; or 5 ii. The United States Department of Education. 6 E. The multistate license for a regulated social worker is subject to the renewal 7 requirements of the home state. The regulated social worker must maintain 8 compliance with the requirements of subsection A. of this section to be eligible to 9 renew a multistate license. 10 F. The regulated social worker’s services in a remote state are subject to that 11 member state’s regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due 12 process and that member state’s laws, remove a regulated social worker’s 13 multistate authorization to practice in the remote state for a specific period of 14 time, impose fines, or take any other necessary actions to protect the health and 15 safety of its citizens. 16 G. If a multistate license is encumbered, the regulated social worker’s multistate 17 authorization to practice shall be deactivated in all remote states until the 18 multistate license is no longer encumbered. 19 H. If a multistate authorization to practice is encumbered in a remote state, the 20 regulated social worker’s multistate authorization to practice may be deactivated 21 in that state until the multistate authorization to practice is no longer 22 encumbered. 23 SECTION 5. ISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE 24 A. Upon receipt of an application for multistate license, the home state licensing 25 authority shall determine the applicant’s eligibility for a multistate license in 26 accordance with Section 4 of this compact. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 11 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed B. If such applicant is eligible pursuant to Section 4 of this compact, the home state 1 licensing authority shall issue a multistate license that authorizes the applicant or 2 regulated social worker to practice in all member states under a multistate 3 authorization to practice. 4 C. Upon issuance of a multistate license, the home state licensing authority shall 5 designate whether the regulated social worker holds a multistate license in the 6 bachelor's, master's, or clinical category of social work. 7 D. A multistate license issued by a home state to a resident in that state shall be 8 recognized by all compact member states as authorizing social work practice 9 under a multistate authorization to practice corresponding to each category of 10 licensure regulated in each member state. 11 SECTION 6. AUTHORITY OF INTERSTATE COMPACT COMMISSION AND 12 MEMBER STATE LICENSING AUTHORITIES 13 A. Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the commission, shall be construed to 14 limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and 15 enforce laws, regulations, or other rules related to the practice of social work in 16 that state, where those laws, regulations, or other rules are not inconsistent with 17 the provisions of this compact. 18 B. Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member 19 state for the issuance of a single state license. 20 C. Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the commission, shall be construed to 21 limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to take adverse 22 action against a licensee’s single state license to practice social work in that state. 23 D. Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the commission, shall be construed to 24 limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a remote state to take adverse 25 action against a licensee’s multistate authorization to practice in that state. 26 E. Nothing in this compact, nor any rule of the commission, shall be construed to 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 12 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a licensee’s home state to take 1 adverse action against a licensee’s multistate license based upon information 2 provided by a remote state. 3 SECTION 7. REISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE LICENSE BY A NEW HOME 4 STATE 5 A. A licensee may hold a multistate license, issued by their home state, in only one 6 (1) member state at any given time. 7 B. If a licensee changes their home state by moving between two (2) member states: 8 1. The licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance of their multistate 9 license in their new home state. The licensee shall pay all applicable fees 10 and notify the prior home state in accordance with the rules of the 11 commission; 12 2. Upon receipt of an application to reissue a multistate license, the new home 13 state shall verify that the multistate license is active, unencumbered, and 14 eligible for reissuance under the terms of the compact and the rules of the 15 commission. The multistate license issued by the prior home state will be 16 deactivated and all member states notified in accordance with the applicable 17 rules adopted by the commission; 18 3. Prior to the reissuance of the multistate license, the new home state shall 19 conduct procedures for considering the criminal history records of the 20 licensee. These procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or 21 other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of 22 obtaining an applicant’s criminal history record information from the 23 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining 24 that state’s criminal records; 25 4. If required for initial licensure, the new home state may require completion 26 of jurisprudence requirements in the new home state; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 13 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed 5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, if a licensee does not 1 meet the requirements set forth in this compact for the reissuance of a 2 multistate license by the new home state, then the licensee shall be subject 3 to the new home state requirements for the issuance of a single state license 4 in that state. 5 C. If a licensee changes their primary state of residence by moving from a member 6 state to a nonmember state, or from a nonmember state to a member state, then 7 the licensee shall be subject to the state requirements for the issuance of a single 8 state license in the new home state. 9 D. Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a licensee’s ability to hold a single 10 state license in multiple states; however, for the purposes of this compact, a 11 licensee shall have only one (1) home state, and only one (1) multistate license. 12 E. Nothing in this compact shall interfere with the requirements established by a 13 member state for the issuance of a single state license. 14 SECTION 8. MILITARY FAMILIES 15 An active military member, or their spouse, shall designate a home state where the 16 individual has a multistate license. The individual may retain their home state 17 designation during the period the service member is on active duty. 18 SECTION 9. ADVERSE ACTIONS 19 A. In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state shall have 20 the authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to: 21 1. Take adverse action against a regulated social worker’s multistate 22 authorization to practice only within that member state, and issue 23 subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance 24 and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas 25 issued by a licensing authority in a member state for the attendance and 26 testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another member 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 14 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent 1 jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court 2 applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The 3 issuing licensing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, 4 mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which 5 the witnesses or evidence are located. 6 2. Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against a 7 regulated social worker’s multistate license 8 B. For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same priority 9 and effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the 10 conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall 11 apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action. 12 C. The home state shall complete any pending investigations of a regulated social 13 worker who changes their home state during the course of the investigations. The 14 home state shall also have the authority to take appropriate action and shall 15 promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the 16 data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the new 17 home state of any adverse actions. 18 D. A member state, if otherwise permitted by state law, may recover from the affected 19 regulated social worker the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases 20 resulting from any adverse action taken against that regulated social worker. 21 E. A member state may take adverse action based on the factual findings of another 22 member state, provided that the member state follows its own procedures for 23 taking the adverse action. 24 F. Joint investigations. 25 1. In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective social 26 work practice act or other applicable state law, any member state may 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 15 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees. 1 2. Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance 2 materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated 3 under the compact. 4 G. If adverse action is taken by the home state against the multistate license of a 5 regulated social worker, the regulated social worker’s multistate authorization to 6 practice in all other member states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances 7 have been removed from the multistate license. All home state disciplinary orders 8 that impose adverse action against the license of a regulated social worker shall 9 include a statement that the regulated social worker’s multistate authorization to 10 practice is deactivated in all member states until all conditions of the decision, 11 order, or agreement are satisfied. 12 H. If a member state takes adverse action, it shall promptly notify the administrator 13 of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the 14 home state and all other member states of any adverse actions by remote states. 15 I. Nothing in this compact shall override a member state’s decision that 16 participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. 17 J. Nothing in this compact shall authorize a member state to demand the issuance 18 of subpoenas for attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of 19 evidence from another member state for lawful actions within that member state. 20 K. Nothing in this compact shall authorize a member state to impose discipline 21 against a regulated social worker who holds a multistate authorization to practice 22 for lawful actions within another member state. 23 SECTION 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT 24 COMMISSION 25 A. The compact member states hereby create and establish a joint government 26 agency whose membership consists of all member states that have enacted the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 16 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed compact known as the social work licensure compact commission. The 1 commission is an instrumentality of the compact states acting jointly and not an 2 instrumentality of any one (1) state. The commission shall come into existence on 3 or after the effective date of the compact as set forth in Section 14 of this 4 compact. 5 B. Membership, voting, and meetings. 6 1. Each member state shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate selected by 7 that member state’s licensing authority. 8 2. The delegate shall be either: 9 a. A current member of the licensing authority at the time of 10 appointment, who is a regulated social worker or public member of the 11 licensing authority; or 12 b. An administrator of the licensing authority or their designee. 13 3. The commission shall by rule or bylaw establish a term of office for 14 delegates and may by rule or bylaw establish term limits. 15 4. The commission may recommend removal or suspension of any delegate 16 from office. 17 5. A member state’s state licensing authority shall fill any vacancy of its 18 delegate occurring on the commission within sixty (60) days of the vacancy. 19 6. Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters before the 20 commission requiring a vote by commission delegates. 21 7. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the 22 bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates to meet by 23 telecommunication, videoconference, or other means of communication. 24 8. The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. 25 Additional meetings may be held as set forth in the bylaws. The commission 26 may meet by telecommunication, video conference, or other similar 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 17 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed electronic means. 1 C. The commission shall have the following powers: 2 1. Establish the fiscal year of the commission; 3 2. Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest policies; 4 3. Establish and amend rules and bylaws; 5 4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws; 6 5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this 7 compact, the commission’s rules, and the bylaws; 8 6. Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in the name of the 9 commission, provided that the standing of any state licensing authority to 10 sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected; 11 7. Maintain and certify records and information provided to a member state as 12 the authenticated business records of the commission and designate an 13 agent to do so on the commission’s behalf; 14 8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 15 9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel including but not 16 limited to employees of a member state; 17 10. Conduct an annual financial review; 18 11. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, 19 grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the 20 compact, and establish the commission’s personnel policies and programs 21 relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other 22 related personnel matters; 23 12. Assess and collect fees; 24 13. Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants of money, other 25 sources of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and 26 receive, utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 18 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of 1 interest; 2 14. Lease, purchase, retain, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use, any 3 property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided interest therein; 4 15. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise 5 dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed; 6 16. Establish a budget and make expenditures; 7 17. Borrow money; 8 18. Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members, 9 state regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer 10 representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in 11 this compact and the bylaws; 12 19. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement 13 agencies; 14 20. Establish and elect an executive committee, including a chair and a vice 15 chair; 16 21. Determine whether a state’s adopted language is materially different from 17 the model compact language such that the state would not qualify for 18 participation in the compact; and 19 22. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve 20 the purposes of this compact. 21 D. The executive committee. 22 1. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the 23 commission according to the terms of this compact. The powers, duties, and 24 responsibilities of the executive committee shall include to: 25 a. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact, 26 including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 19 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed compact, its rules and bylaws, and other duties as deemed necessary; 1 b. Recommend to the commission changes to the rules or bylaws, 2 changes to this compact legislation, fees charged to compact member 3 states, fees charged to licensees, and other fees; 4 c. Ensure compact administration services are appropriately provided, 5 including by contract; 6 d. Prepare and recommend the budget; 7 e. Maintain financial records on behalf of the commission; 8 f. Monitor compact compliance of member states and provide 9 compliance reports to the commission; 10 g. Establish additional committees as necessary; 11 h. Exercise the powers and duties of the commission during the interim 12 between commission meetings, except for adopting or amending rules, 13 adopting or amending bylaws, and exercising any other powers and 14 duties expressly reserved to the commission by rule or bylaw; and 15 i. Other duties as provided in the rules or bylaws of the commission. 16 2. The executive committee shall be composed of up to eleven (11) members: 17 a. The chair and vice chair of the commission shall be voting members 18 of the executive committee; 19 b. Five (5) voting members who are elected by the commission from the 20 current membership of the commission; 21 c. Up to four (4) ex officio, nonvoting members from four (4) recognized 22 national social worker organizations; and 23 d. The ex officio members will be selected by their respective 24 organizations. 25 3. The commission may remove any member of the executive committee as 26 provided in the commission’s bylaws. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 20 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed 4. The executive committee shall meet at least annually. 1 a. Executive committee meetings shall be open to the public, except that 2 the executive committee may meet in a closed, nonpublic meeting as 3 provided in subsection F.2. of this section. 4 b. The executive committee shall give seven (7) days’ notice of its 5 meetings, posted on its website and as determined to provide notice to 6 persons with an interest in the business of the commission. 7 c. The executive committee may hold a special meeting in accordance 8 with subsection F.1.b. of this section. 9 E. The commission shall adopt and provide to the member states an annual report. 10 F. Meetings of the commission. 11 1. All meetings shall be open to the public, except that the commission may 12 meet in a closed, nonpublic meeting as provided in paragraph 2. of this 13 subsection. 14 a. Public notice for all meetings of the full commission of meetings shall 15 be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking 16 provisions in Section 12 of this compact, except that the commission 17 may hold a special meeting as provided in paragraph 1.b. of this 18 subsection. 19 b. The commission may hold a special meeting when it must meet to 20 conduct emergency business by giving forty-eight (48) hours’ notice to 21 all commissioners, on the commission’s website, and other means as 22 provided in the commission’s rules. The commission’s legal counsel 23 shall certify that the commission’s need to meet qualifies as an 24 emergency. 25 2. The commission, the executive committee, or other committees of the 26 commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting for the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 21 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed commission, executive committee, or other committees of the commission to 1 receive legal advice or to discuss: 2 a. Noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the 3 compact; 4 b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices 5 or procedures related to specific employees; 6 c. Current or threatened discipline of a licensee by the commission or by 7 a member state’s licensing authority; 8 d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation; 9 e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, 10 services, or real estate; 11 f. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person; 12 g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged 13 or confidential; 14 h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a 15 clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; 16 i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; 17 j. Information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on 18 behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged 19 with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance 20 issues pursuant to the compact; 21 k. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member 22 state law; or 23 l. Other matters as promulgated by the commission by rule. 24 3. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the presiding officer shall 25 state that the meeting will be closed and reference each relevant exempting 26 provision, and such reference shall be recorded in the minutes. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 22 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed 4. The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all 1 matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate 2 summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description 3 of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an 4 action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a 5 closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority 6 vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 7 G. Financing of the commission. 8 1. The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable 9 expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities. 10 2. The commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, as 11 provided in subsection C.13. of this section. 12 3. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each 13 member state and impose fees on licensees of member states to whom it 14 grants a multistate license to cover the cost of the operations and activities 15 of the commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient 16 to cover its annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not 17 provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount for 18 member states shall be allocated based upon a formula that the commission 19 shall promulgate by rule. 20 4. The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing 21 the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the 22 credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the 23 member state. 24 5. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and 25 disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be 26 subject to the financial review and accounting procedures established under 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 23 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the 1 commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or 2 licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be 3 included in and become part of the annual report of the commission. 4 H. Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. 5 1. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of 6 the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and 7 in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or 8 personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual 9 or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against 10 whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred 11 within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; 12 provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any 13 such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability 14 caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 15 The procurement of insurance of any type by the commission shall not in 16 any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder. 17 2. The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, 18 employee, and representative of the commission in any civil action seeking 19 to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission 20 that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or 21 responsibilities, or as determined by the commission that the person against 22 whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred 23 within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; 24 provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from 25 retaining their own counsel at their own expense; and provided further, that 26 the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person’s 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 24 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 1 3. The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, 2 executive director, employee, and representative of the commission for the 3 amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising 4 out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the 5 scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such 6 person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of 7 commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual 8 or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or 9 willful or wanton misconduct of that person. 10 4. Nothing in this compact shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of 11 any licensee for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be 12 governed solely by any other applicable state laws. 13 5. Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate 14 a member state’s state action immunity or state action affirmative defense 15 with respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. 16 sec. 1 et seq.; Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. sec. 12 et seq.; or any other state or 17 federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation. 18 6. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign 19 immunity by the member states or by the commission. 20 SECTION 11. DATA SYSTEM 21 A. The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and 22 utilization of a coordinated data system. 23 B. The commission shall assign each applicant for a multistate license a unique 24 identifier, as determined by the rules of the commission. 25 C. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state 26 shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 25 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission, including: 1 1. Identifying information; 2 2. Licensure data; 3 3. Adverse actions against a license and information related thereto; 4 4. Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation, 5 the beginning and ending of such participation, and other information 6 related to such participation not made confidential under member state law; 7 5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the reasons for such denial; 8 6. The presence of current significant investigative information; and 9 7. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact or 10 the protection of the public, as determined by the rules of the commission. 11 D. The records and information provided to a member state pursuant to this compact 12 or through the data system, when certified by the commission or an agent thereof, 13 shall constitute the authenticated business records of the commission, and shall 14 be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any relevant judicial, quasi-15 judicial, or administrative proceedings in a member state. 16 E. Current significant investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any 17 member state will only be available to other member states. It is the responsibility 18 of the member states to report any adverse action against a licensee and to 19 monitor the database to determine whether adverse action has been taken against 20 a licensee. adverse action information pertaining to a licensee in any member 21 state will be available to any other member state. 22 F. Member states contributing information to the data system may designate 23 information that may not be shared with the public without the express 24 permission of the contributing state. 25 G. Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently expunged 26 pursuant to federal law or the laws of the member state contributing the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 26 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed information shall be removed from the data system. 1 SECTION 12. RULEMAKING 2 A. The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and 3 efficiently implement and administer the purposes and provisions of the compact. 4 A rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of competent 5 jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because the commission exercised its 6 rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope and purposes of the 7 compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable 8 standard of review. 9 B. The rules of the commission shall have the force of law in each member state, 10 provided however that where the rules of the commission conflict with the laws of 11 the member state that establish the member state’s laws, regulations, and 12 applicable standards that govern the practice of social work as held by a court of 13 competent jurisdiction, the rules of the commission shall be ineffective in that 14 state to the extent of the conflict. 15 C. The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set 16 forth in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become 17 binding on the day following adoption or the date specified in the rule or 18 amendment, whichever is later. 19 D. If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule or portion of a 20 rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the 21 compact within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the rule, then the rule 22 shall have no further force and effect in any member state. 23 E. Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission. 24 F. Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall hold a public hearing 25 and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, 26 and arguments. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 27 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed G. Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the commission, and at least thirty (30) 1 days in advance of the meeting at which the commission will hold a public 2 hearing on the proposed rule, the commission shall provide a notice of proposed 3 rulemaking: 4 1. On the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform; 5 2. To persons who have requested notice of the commission’s notices of 6 proposed rulemaking; and 7 3. In such other way as the commission may by rule specify. 8 H. The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include: 9 1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the commission 10 will hear public comments on the proposed rule and, if different, the time, 11 date, and location of the meeting where the commission will consider and 12 vote on the proposed rule; 13 2. If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other 14 electronic means, the commission shall include the mechanism for access to 15 the hearing in the notice of proposed rulemaking; 16 3. The text of the proposed rule and the reason therefor; 17 4. A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; 18 and 19 5. The manner in which interested persons may submit written comments. 20 I. All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written comments 21 and documents received by the commission in response to the proposed rule shall 22 be available to the public. 23 J. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on 24 each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at 25 hearings required by this section. 26 K. The commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 28 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed proposed rule based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. 1 1. The commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the 2 changes do not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed rule. 3 2. The commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive 4 changes made to the proposed rule as well as reasons for substantive 5 changes not made that were recommended by commenters. 6 3. The commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the rule. 7 Except for an emergency as provided in subsection L. of this section, the 8 effective date of the rule shall be no sooner than thirty (30) days after 9 issuing the notice that it adopted or amended the rule. 10 L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and 11 adopt an emergency rule with forty-eight (48) hours’ notice, with opportunity to 12 comment, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact 13 and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably 14 possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. 15 For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted 16 immediately in order to: 17 1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare; 18 2. Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds; 19 3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a rule that is established by federal 20 law or rule; or 21 4. Protect public health and safety. 22 M. The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct 23 revisions to a previously adopted rule for purposes of correcting typographical 24 errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public 25 notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the commission. The 26 revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 29 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the 1 revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in 2 writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of the notice period. If 3 no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the 4 revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the 5 commission. 6 N. No member state’s rulemaking requirements shall apply under this compact. 7 SECTION 13. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT 8 A. Oversight. 9 1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member 10 state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and 11 appropriate to implement the compact. 12 2. Except as otherwise provided in this compact, venue is proper and judicial 13 proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought solely and 14 exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of 15 the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and 16 jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in 17 alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or 18 limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for 19 professional malpractice, misconduct, or any such similar matter. 20 3. The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any 21 proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the compact and 22 shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. 23 Failure to provide the commission service of process shall render a 24 judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or promulgated 25 rules. 26 B. Default, technical assistance, and termination. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 30 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed 1. If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the 1 performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the 2 promulgated rules, the commission shall provide written notice to the 3 defaulting state. The notice of default shall describe the default, the 4 proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that the 5 commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical 6 assistance regarding the default. 7 2. The commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other 8 member states. 9 C. If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be 10 terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the 11 delegates of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred 12 on that state by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of 13 termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of 14 obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default. 15 D. Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other 16 means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend 17 or terminate shall be given by the commission to the Governor, the majority and 18 minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, the defaulting state’s state 19 licensing authority, and each of the member states’ state licensing authority. 20 E. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, 21 and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including 22 obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination. 23 F. Upon the termination of a state’s membership from this compact, that state shall 24 immediately provide notice to all licensees within that state of such termination. 25 The terminated state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to 26 this compact for a minimum of six (6) months after the date of said notice of 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 31 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed termination. 1 G. The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in 2 default or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in 3 writing between the commission and the defaulting state. 4 H. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the 5 United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district 6 where the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be 7 awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. 8 I. Dispute resolution. 9 1. Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve 10 disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between 11 member and nonmember states. 12 2. The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and 13 binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate. 14 J. Enforcement. 15 1. By majority vote as provided by rule, the commission may initiate legal 16 action against a member state in default in the United States District Court 17 for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission 18 has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the 19 compact and its promulgated rules. The relief sought may include both 20 injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is 21 necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, 22 including reasonable attorney’s fees. The remedies herein shall not be the 23 exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any 24 other remedies available under federal or the defaulting member state’s law. 25 2. A member state may initiate legal action against the commission in the 26 United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 32 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed district where the commission has its principal offices to enforce 1 compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules. 2 The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the 3 event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be 4 awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. 5 3. No person other than a member state shall enforce this compact against the 6 commission. 7 SECTION 14. EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT 8 A. The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is 9 enacted into law in the seventh member state. 10 1. On or after the effective date of the compact, the commission shall convene 11 and review the enactment of each of the first seven (7) member states 12 ("charter member states") to determine if the statute enacted by each such 13 charter member state is materially different than the model compact statute. 14 a. A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially 15 different from the model compact statute shall be entitled to the 16 default process set forth in Section 13 of this compact. 17 b. If any member state is later found to be in default, or is terminated or 18 withdraws from the compact, the commission shall remain in 19 existence and the compact shall remain in effect even if the number of 20 member states should be less than seven (7). 21 2. Member states enacting the compact subsequent to the seven (7) initial 22 charter member states shall be subject to the process set forth in Section 23 10.C.21. of this compact to determine if their enactments are materially 24 different from the model compact statute and whether they qualify for 25 participation in the compact. 26 3. All actions taken for the benefit of the commission or in furtherance of the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 33 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed purposes of the administration of the compact prior to the effective date of 1 the compact or the commission coming into existence shall be considered to 2 be actions of the commission unless specifically repudiated by the 3 commission. 4 4. Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission’s initial 5 adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws as 6 they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in that state. Any 7 rule that has been previously adopted by the commission shall have the full 8 force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state. 9 B. Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute 10 repealing the same. 11 1. A member state’s withdrawal shall not take effect until one hundred eighty 12 (180) days after enactment of the repealing statute. 13 2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing 14 state’s licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse 15 action reporting requirements of this compact prior to the effective date of 16 withdrawal. 17 3. Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from this compact, a state 18 shall immediately provide notice of such withdrawal to all licensees within 19 that state. Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the 20 contrary, the withdrawing state shall continue to recognize all licenses 21 granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of one hundred eighty 22 (180) days after the date of such notice of withdrawal. 23 C. Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any 24 social work licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a 25 member state and a nonmember state that does not conflict with the provisions of 26 this compact. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 34 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed D. This compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this 1 compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is 2 enacted into the laws of all member states. 3 SECTION 15. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 4 A. This compact and the commission’s rulemaking authority shall be liberally 5 construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation and 6 administration of the compact. Provisions of the compact expressly authorizing or 7 requiring the promulgation of rules shall not be construed to limit the 8 commission’s rulemaking authority solely for those purposes. 9 B. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, 10 sentence, or provision of this compact is held by a court of competent jurisdiction 11 to be contrary to the constitution of any member state, a state seeking 12 participation in the compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof 13 to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional 14 by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remainder of this compact 15 and the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person, or 16 circumstance shall not be affected thereby. 17 C. Notwithstanding subsection B. of this section, the commission may deny a state’s 18 participation in the compact or, in accordance with the requirements of Section 19 13.B. of this compact, terminate a member state’s participation in the compact, if 20 it determines that a constitutional requirement of a member state is a material 21 departure from the compact. Otherwise, if this compact shall be held to be 22 contrary to the constitution of any member state, the compact shall remain in full 23 force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as 24 to the member state affected as to all severable matters. 25 SECTION 16. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE 26 LAWS 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 35 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed A. A licensee providing services in a remote state under a multistate authorization to 1 practice shall adhere to the laws, regulations, and applicable standards of the 2 remote state where the client is located at the time care is rendered. 3 B. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a 4 member state that is not inconsistent with the compact. 5 C. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in 6 conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. 7 D. All permissible agreements between the commission and the member states are 8 binding in accordance with their terms. 9 SECTION 17. APPLICABILITY OF KENTUCKY STATE GOVERNMENT 10 In order to clarify the effect of certain provisions of this compact and to ensure that the 11 rights and responsibilities of the various branches of government are maintained, the 12 following shall be in effect in this state: 13 A. By entering into this compact, this state authorizes the licensing authority as 14 defined in Section 2.O. of this compact and as created by KRS 335.050 to 15 implement the provisions of this compact. 16 B. Notwithstanding any provision of this compact to the contrary: 17 1. When a rule is adopted pursuant to Section 12 of this compact, the licensing 18 authority of this state as defined by Section 2.O. of this compact shall have 19 sixty (60) days to review the rule for the purpose of filing the rule as an 20 emergency administrative regulation pursuant to KRS 13A.190 and for 21 filing the rule as an accompanying ordinary administrative regulation, 22 following the requirements of KRS Chapter 13A. Failure by the licensing 23 authority of this state as defined by Section 2.O. of this compact to 24 promulgate a rule adopted by the Social Work Licensure Compact 25 Commission as an administrative regulation pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A 26 shall result in withdrawal as set forth in Section 14 of this compact. Nothing 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 150 Page 36 of 36 XXXX 12/20/2023 2:21 PM Jacketed in these provisions shall negate the applicability of a commission rule or 1 Section 12 of this compact to this state. 2 2. If the proposed administrative regulation is found deficient and the 3 deficiency is not resolved pursuant to KRS 13A.330 or 13A.335, Section 14 4 of this compact shall apply. If the deficiency is resolved in a manner 5 determined by the commission to be inconsistent with this compact or its 6 rules, or if the procedures under Section 13 of this compact fail to resolve 7 an issue, the withdrawal provisions of Section 14 of this compact shall 8 apply. 9 3. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the Social Work 10 Licensure Compact Commission created by Section 10 of this compact 11 exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of 12 the purposes of this compact, or the powers granted under this compact, 13 then such an action by the commission shall be invalid and have no force or 14 effect. 15 C. Section 10.G. of this compact pertaining to the financing of the commission shall 16 not be interpreted to obligate the general fund of this state. Any funds used to 17 finance this compact shall be from money collected pursuant to KRS 335.140. 18 D. This compact shall apply only to those regulated social workers who practice or 19 work under a compact privilege. 20