Ratification of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. (FE)
The bill's enactment will modify state laws to include provisions that allow practitioners to practice in multiple states under a single license. It establishes a coordinated data system for tracking licensure and disciplinary actions against respiratory care practitioners, ensuring that member states are informed of any adverse actions against practitioners licensed in their jurisdictions. By ratifying the compact, Wisconsin acknowledges the importance of interstate cooperation for occupational mobility while retaining its regulatory powers to protect public health and safety.
Senate Bill 190, known as the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, aims to facilitate the practice of respiratory therapy across state lines by allowing respiratory care practitioners licensed in one member state to practice in other member states without needing additional licenses. This compact is anticipated to enhance public access to respiratory therapy services, benefit military personnel and their families, and streamline regulatory processes related to licensure. It also establishes a commission to oversee the compact's implementation and enforcement, creating a cohesive regulatory framework for the profession across participating states.
Notably, there may be concerns raised by local licensing boards and healthcare institutions regarding oversight and accountability as practitioners shift between states. Critics of interstate compacts often argue that such agreements could dilute state-level regulation and lead to inconsistencies in care standards. Stakeholders may express apprehensions about the compact's provisions allowing a member state to impose adverse actions based on investigative actions taken in another state, fearing it could introduce undue complications in disciplinary proceedings.