4028S.04F 1 SENATE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 2149 AN ACT To repeal sections 197.400, 197.445, 327.312, 327.313, 327.314, 327.331, 334.036, 334.530, 334.655, 345.015, and 345.050, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof sixteen new sections relating to professional licensing, with an emergency clause for a certain section. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows: Section A. Sections 197.400, 197.445, 327.312, 327.313, 1 327.314, 327.331, 334.036, 334.530, 334.655, 345.015, and 2 345.050, RSMo, are repealed and sixteen new sections enacted in 3 lieu thereof, to be known as sections 197.400, 197.445, 324.005, 4 327.312, 327.313, 327.314, 327.331, 332.325, 334.036, 334.530, 5 334.655, 345.015, 345.022, 345.050, 345.052, and 345.085, to 6 read as follows:7 197.400. As used in sections 197.400 to 197.475, 1 unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms 2 mean: 3 (1) "Council", the home health services advisory 4 council created by sections 197.400 to 197.475; 5 (2) "Department", the department of health and senior 6 services; 7 (3) "Home health agency", a public agency or private 8 organization or a su bdivision or subunit of an agency or 9 organization that provides two or more home health services 10 at the residence of a patient according to a [physician's] 11 written [and signed] plan of treatment signed by a 12 physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or 13 physician assistant; 14 2 (4) "Home health services", any of the following items 15 and services provided at the residence of the patient on a 16 part-time or intermittent basis: nursing, physical therapy, 17 speech therapy, occupational thera py, home health aid, or 18 medical social service; 19 (5) "Nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist", a 20 person recognized by the state board of nursing pursuant to 21 the provisions of chapter 335 to practice in this state as a 22 nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist; 23 (6) "Part-time or intermittent basis", the providing 24 of home health services in an interrupted interval sequence 25 on the average of not to exceed three hours in any twenty - 26 four-hour period; 27 [(6)] (7) "Patient's residence", the actual place of 28 residence of the person receiving home health services, 29 including institutional residences as well as individual 30 dwelling units; 31 [(7)] (8) "Physician", a person licensed by the state 32 board of registration for the heali ng arts pursuant to the 33 provisions of chapter 334 to practice in this state as a 34 physician and surgeon; 35 (9) "Physician assistant", a person licensed by the 36 state board of registration for the healing arts pursuant to 37 the provisions of chapter 334 to practice in this state as a 38 physician assistant; 39 [(8)] (10) "Plan of treatment", a plan reviewed and 40 signed as often as [medically] necessary by a physician 41 [or], podiatrist, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 42 specialist, or a physician assis tant, not to exceed sixty 43 days in duration, and reviewed by a physician at least once 44 every six months, prescribing items and services for an 45 individual patient's condition; 46 3 [(9)] (11) "Podiatrist", a person licensed by the 47 state board of podiatr y pursuant to the provisions of 48 chapter 330 to practice in this state as a podiatrist; 49 [(10)] (12) "Subunit" or "subdivision", any 50 organizational unit of a larger organization which can be 51 clearly defined as a separate entity within the larger 52 structure, which can meet all of the requirements of 53 sections 197.400 to 197.475 independent of the larger 54 organization, which can be held accountable for the care of 55 patients it is serving, and which provides to all patients 56 care and services meeting th e standards and requirements of 57 sections 197.400 to 197.475. 58 197.445. 1. The department may adopt reasonable rules 1 and standards necessary to carry out the provisions of 2 sections 197.400 to 197.477. The rules and standards 3 adopted shall not be less than the standards established by 4 the federal government for home health agencies under Title 5 XVIII of the Federal Social Security Act. The reasonable 6 rules and standards shall be initially promulgated within 7 one year of September 28, 1983. 8 2. The rules and standards adopted by the department 9 pursuant to the provisions of sections 197.400 to 197.477 10 shall apply to all health services covered by sections 11 197.400 to 197.477 rendered to any patient being served by a 12 home health agency regardless of source of payment for the 13 service, patient's condition, or place of residence, at 14 which the home health services are ordered by the physician 15 [or], podiatrist, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 16 specialist, or physician assista nt. No rule or portion of a 17 rule promulgated pursuant to the authority of sections 18 197.400 to 197.477 shall become effective unless it has been 19 promulgated pursuant to the provisions of section 536.024. 20 4 324.005. 1. Notwithstanding any requirements for 1 licensure for all professional boards, commissions, 2 committees, and offices within the division of professional 3 registration to the contrary, a professional who has a 4 current license to practice from another state, 5 commonwealth, territory, or the District of Columbia shall 6 be exempt from the licensure requirements of his or her 7 respective licensure board in this state if: 8 (1) The professional is an active duty or reserve 9 member of the Armed Forces of the United States, a member of 10 the National Guard, a civilian employee of the United States 11 Department of Defense, an authorized services contractor 12 under 10 U.S.C. Section 1091, or a professional otherwise 13 authorized by the United States Department of Defense; 14 (2) The professional practices the same occupation or 15 profession at the same practice level for which he or she 16 holds a current license; and 17 (3) The professional is engaged in the practice of a 18 professional through a partnership with the federal 19 Innovative Readiness Training program within the United 20 States Department of Defense. 21 2. The exemption provided in this section shall not 22 permit a professional to engage in practice except as part 23 of the federal Innovative Readiness Training program w ithin 24 the United States Department of Defense. The exemption 25 shall only apply while: 26 (1) The professional's practice is required by the 27 program pursuant to military orders; and 28 (2) The services provided by the professional are 29 within the scope of practice for the individual's respective 30 profession in this state. 31 327.312. 1. Prior to January 1, 2024, any person may 1 apply to the board for enrollment as a land surveyor -in- 2 5 training who is a high school graduate, or who holds a 3 Missouri certificate of high school equivalence (GED), and 4 either: 5 (1) Has graduated and received a baccalaureate degree 6 in an approved curriculum as defined by board regulation 7 which shall include at least twelve semester hours of 8 approved surveying course work as defined by board 9 regulation of which at least two semester hours shall be in 10 the legal aspects of boundary surveying; or 11 (2) Has passed at least sixty hours of college credit 12 which shall include credit for at least tw enty semester 13 hours of approved surveying course work as defined by board 14 regulation of which at least two semester hours shall be in 15 legal aspects of boundary surveying and present evidence 16 satisfactory to the board that in addition thereto such 17 person has at least one year of combined professional office 18 and field experience in land surveying projects under the 19 immediate personal supervision of a professional land 20 surveyor; or 21 (3) Has passed at least twelve semester hours of 22 approved surveying course work as defined by board 23 regulation of which at least two semester hours shall be in 24 legal aspects of land surveying and in addition thereto has 25 at least two years of combined professional office and field 26 experience in land surveying projec ts under the immediate 27 personal supervision of a professional land surveyor. 28 Pursuant to this provision, not more than one year of 29 satisfactory postsecondary education work shall count as 30 equivalent years of satisfactory land surveying work as 31 aforementioned. 32 2. The board shall issue a certificate of completion 33 to each applicant who satisfies the requirements of the 34 aforementioned land surveyor -in-training program and passes 35 6 such examination or examinations as shall be required by the 36 board. 37 3. Beginning January 1, 2024, any person may apply to 38 the board for enrollment as a land surveyor -intern who is a 39 high school graduate, or who holds a certificate of high 40 school equivalence (GED), and has passed any examination 41 required by the board pursuant to section 327.331. 42 327.313. Applications for enrollment as a land 1 [surveyor-in-training] surveyor-intern shall be typewritten 2 on prescribed forms furnished to the applicant. The 3 application shall contain applicant's statements showing the 4 applicant's education, experience, and such other pertinent 5 information as the board may require. Each application 6 shall contain a statement that it is made under oath or 7 affirmation and that the representations are true and 8 correct to the best knowledge and belief of the applicant, 9 subject to the penalties of making a false affidavit or 10 declaration and shall be accompanied by the required fee. 11 327.314. 1. Prior to January 1, 2024, any person may 1 apply to the board for licensure as a professional land 2 surveyor who has been enrolled as a land surveyor -in- 3 training and has presented evidence to the satisfaction of 4 the board that said person has acquired at least four years 5 of satisfactory professional field and office experience in 6 land surveying from the date of enrollment as a land 7 surveyor-in-training. This experience shall have been under 8 the immediate personal supervision of a professional land 9 surveyor. 10 2. Beginning January 1, 2024, any person may apply to 11 the board for licensure who presents evidence satisfactory 12 to the board that the applicant has met the requirements as 13 provided in this subsection: 14 7 (1) An applicant shall be a high school graduate or 15 hold a certificate of hig h school equivalence (GED), and 16 either: 17 (a) Has graduated and received a baccalaureate degree 18 in an approved curriculum, as defined by the board, which 19 shall include at least fifteen semester hours of approved 20 surveying course work, as defined by the board, of which at 21 least six semester hours shall be in the legal aspects of 22 boundary surveying; or 23 (b) Has passed at least sixty hours of college credit 24 which shall include at least fifteen semester hours of 25 approved surveying course work, as defined by the board, of 26 which at least six semester hours shall be in legal aspects 27 of boundary surveying; or 28 (c) Has passed at least fifteen semester hours of 29 approved surveying coursework, as defined by the board, of 30 which at least six seme ster hours shall be in legal aspects 31 of land surveying; 32 (d) An applicant meeting the requirements of paragraph 33 (a) of this subdivision shall have acquired at least four 34 years of satisfactory field and office experience in land 35 surveying under the immediate personal supervision of a 36 professional land surveyor; 37 (e) An applicant meeting the requirements of paragraph 38 (b) of this subdivision shall have acquired at least five 39 years of satisfactory field and office experience in land 40 surveying under the immediate personal supervision of a 41 professional land surveyor; 42 (f) An applicant meeting the requirements of paragraph 43 (c) of this subdivision shall have acquired at least six 44 years of satisfactory field and office experience in land 45 surveying under the immediate personal supervision of a 46 professional land surveyor. Pursuant to this provision, up 47 8 to one year of post-secondary education, approved by the 48 board, may count as equivalent work experience; 49 (2) An applicant shall pass any examinations required 50 by the board pursuant to section 327.331; 51 (3) Any person enrolled as a land surveyor -in-training 52 prior to January 1, 2024, shall only be required to meet the 53 requirements in place pursuant to their enrollment. 54 327.331. 1. After it has been determined that an 1 applicant possesses the qualifications entitling the 2 applicant to be examined, each applicant for examination and 3 enrollment as a land surveyor -in-training and for 4 examination and licensure as a professional land surveyor in 5 Missouri shall appear before the board or its 6 representatives for examination at the time and place 7 specified. 8 2. The examination or examinations shall be of such 9 form, content and duration as shall b e determined by the 10 board to thoroughly test the qualifications of each 11 applicant to become enrolled as a land [surveyor-in- 12 training] surveyor-intern or to become licensed as a 13 professional land surveyor in Missouri. 14 3. Any applicant to be eligib le for enrollment or for 15 license must make a grade on the applicable examination of 16 at least seventy percent. 17 4. Any person who passes the examination hereinabove 18 specified shall be entitled to be enrolled as a land 19 [surveyor-in-training] surveyor-intern or licensed as a 20 professional land surveyor, as the case may be, in Missouri 21 and shall receive a certificate of enrollment or a license, 22 as the case may be. 23 332.325. 1. The Missouri dental board may collaborate 1 with the department of health and senior services and the 2 office of dental health within the department of health and 3 9 senior services to approve pilot projects designed to 4 examine new methods of extending care to medically 5 underserved populations, as defined in 42 U.S.C. Section 6 300e-1(7). These pilot projects may employ techniques or 7 approaches to care that may necessitate a waiver of the 8 requirements of this chapter and regulations promulgated 9 thereunder; provided: 10 (1) The project plan has a clearly stated objective of 11 serving a specific underserved population that warrants, in 12 the opinion of a majority of the board, granting approval 13 for a pilot project; 14 (2) The project has a finite start date and 15 termination date; 16 (3) The project clearly defines the new techniques or 17 approaches it intends to examine to determine if it results 18 in an improvement in access or quality of care; 19 (4) The project plan identifies specific and limited 20 locations and populations to participate in the pi lot 21 project; 22 (5) The project plan clearly establishes minimum 23 guidelines and standards for the pilot project, including, 24 but not limited to, provisions for protecting safety of 25 participating patients; 26 (6) The project plan clearly defines th e measurement 27 criteria it will use to evaluate the outcomes of the pilot 28 project on access and quality of care; and 29 (7) The project plan identifies reporting intervals to 30 communicate interim and final outcomes to the board. 31 2. The board may promulgate rules and regulations to 32 implement the provisions of this section. Any rule or 33 portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 34 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in 35 this section shall become effective only if it co mplies with 36 10 and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, 37 if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 38 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with 39 the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to 40 delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule 41 are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of 42 rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after 43 August 28, 2022, shall be invalid and void. 44 3. The provisions of this sec tion shall expire on 45 August 28, 2026. The board shall provide a final report on 46 approved projects and related data or findings to the 47 general assembly on or before December 31, 2025. The name, 48 location, approval dates, and general description of an 49 approved pilot project shall be deemed a public record 50 pursuant to chapter 610. 51 334.036. 1. For purposes of this section, the 1 following terms shall mean: 2 (1) "Assistant physician", any graduate of a medical 3 school [graduate] accredited by the Liaison Committee on 4 Medical Education, the Commission on Osteopathic College 5 Accreditation, or the Educational Commission for Foreign 6 Medical Graduates who: 7 (a) Is a resident and citizen of the United States or 8 is a legal resident alien; 9 (b) Has successfully completed Step 2 of the United 10 States Medical Licensing Examination or the equivalent of 11 such step of any other board -approved medical licensing 12 examination within the three -year period immediately 13 preceding application for licensure as an assistant 14 physician, or within three years after graduation from a 15 medical college or osteopathic medical college, whichever is 16 later; 17 11 (c) Has not completed an approved postgraduate 18 residency and has successfully comple ted Step 2 of the 19 United States Medical Licensing Examination or the 20 equivalent of such step of any other board -approved medical 21 licensing examination within the immediately preceding three - 22 year period unless when such three -year anniversary occurred 23 he or she was serving as a resident physician in an 24 accredited residency in the United States and continued to 25 do so within thirty days prior to application for licensure 26 as an assistant physician; and 27 (d) Has proficiency in the English language. 28 Any graduate of a medical school [graduate] who could have 29 applied for licensure and complied with the provisions of 30 this subdivision at any time between August 28, 2014, and 31 August 28, 2017, may apply for licensure and shall be deemed 32 in compliance with the provisions of this subdivision; 33 (2) "Assistant physician collaborative practice 34 arrangement", an agreement between a physician and an 35 assistant physician that meets the requirements of this 36 section and section 334.037 [; 37 (3) "Medical school graduate", any person who has 38 graduated from a medical college or osteopathic medical 39 college described in section 334.031 ]. 40 2. (1) An assistant physician collaborative practice 41 arrangement shall limit the assistant physician to providing 42 only primary care services and only in medically underserved 43 rural or urban areas of this state [or in any pilot project 44 areas established in which assistant physicians may 45 practice]. 46 (2) For a physician-assistant physician team working 47 in a rural health clinic under the federal Rural Health 48 Clinic Services Act, P.L. 95 -210, as amended: 49 12 (a) An assistant physician shall be considered a 50 physician assistant for purposes of regulations of the 51 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); and 52 (b) No supervision requirements in addition to the 53 minimum federal law shall be required. 54 3. (1) For purposes of this section, the licensure of 55 assistant physicians shall take place within processes 56 established by rules of the state boa rd of registration for 57 the healing arts. The board of healing arts is authorized 58 to establish rules under chapter 536 establishing licensure 59 and renewal procedures, supervision, collaborative practice 60 arrangements, fees, and addressing such other matt ers as are 61 necessary to protect the public and discipline the 62 profession. No licensure fee for an assistant physician 63 shall exceed the amount of any licensure fee for a physician 64 assistant. An application for licensure may be denied or 65 the licensure of an assistant physician may be suspended or 66 revoked by the board in the same manner and for violation of 67 the standards as set forth by section 334.100, or such other 68 standards of conduct set by the board by rule. No rule or 69 regulation shall require an assistant physician to complete 70 more hours of continuing medical education than that of a 71 licensed physician. 72 (2) Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is 73 defined in section 536.010, that is created under the 74 authority delegated in this section shall become effective 75 only if it complies with and is subject to all of the 76 provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 77 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and 78 if any of the powers vested with the general assembl y under 79 chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to 80 disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held 81 unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and 82 13 any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2014, shall be 83 invalid and void. 84 (3) Any rules or regulations regarding assistant 85 physicians in effect as of the effective date of this 86 section that conflict with the provisions of this section 87 and section 334.037 shall be null and void as of the 88 effective date of this sect ion. 89 4. An assistant physician shall clearly identify 90 himself or herself as an assistant physician and shall be 91 permitted to use the terms "doctor", "Dr.", or "doc". No 92 assistant physician shall practice or attempt to practice 93 without an assistant physician collaborative practice 94 arrangement, except as otherwise provided in this section 95 and in an emergency situation. 96 5. The collaborating physician is responsible at all 97 times for the oversight of the activities of and accepts 98 responsibility for primary care services rendered by the 99 assistant physician. 100 6. The provisions of section 334.037 shall apply to 101 all assistant physician collaborative practice 102 arrangements. Any renewal of licensure under this section 103 shall include verific ation of actual practice under a 104 collaborative practice arrangement in accordance with this 105 subsection during the immediately preceding licensure period. 106 7. Each health carrier or health benefit plan that 107 offers or issues health benefit plans that are delivered, 108 issued for delivery, continued, or renewed in this state 109 shall reimburse an assistant physician for the diagnosis, 110 consultation, or treatment of an insured or enrollee on the 111 same basis that the health carrier or health benefit plan 112 covers the service when it is delivered by another 113 comparable mid-level health care provider including, but not 114 limited to, a physician assistant. 115 14 334.530. 1. A candidate for license to practice as a 1 physical therapist shall furnish evidence of such person's 2 educational qualifications by submitting satisfactory 3 evidence of completion of a program of physical therapy 4 education approved as reputable by the board or eligibility 5 to graduate from such a program within ninety days . A 6 candidate who presents satisfactory evidence of the person's 7 graduation from a school of physical therapy approved as 8 reputable by the American Medical Association or, if 9 graduated before 1936, by the American Physical Therapy 10 Association, or if gradu ated after 1988, the Commission on 11 Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education or its 12 successor, is deemed to have complied with the educational 13 qualifications of this subsection. 14 2. Persons desiring to practice as physical therapists 15 in this state shall appear before the board at such time and 16 place as the board may direct and be examined as to their 17 fitness to engage in such practice. Applicants shall meet 18 the qualifying standards for such examinations, including 19 any requirements establish ed by any entity contracted by the 20 board to administer the board -approved examination. 21 Applications for examination shall be in writing, on a form 22 furnished by the board and shall include evidence 23 satisfactory to the board that the applicant possesses the 24 qualifications set forth in subsection 1 of this section and 25 meets the requirements established to qualify for 26 examination. Each application shall contain a statement 27 that it is made under oath or affirmation and that its 28 representations are tru e and correct to the best knowledge 29 and belief of the applicant, subject to the penalties of 30 making a false affidavit or declaration. 31 3. The examination of qualified candidates for 32 licenses to practice physical therapy shall test entry -level 33 15 competence as related to physical therapy theory, 34 examination and evaluation, physical therapy diagnosis, 35 prognosis, treatment, intervention, prevention, and 36 consultation. 37 4. The examination shall embrace, in relation to the 38 human being, the subjects of anatomy, chemistry, 39 kinesiology, pathology, physics, physiology, psychology, 40 physical therapy theory and procedures as related to 41 medicine, surgery and psychiatry, and such other subjects, 42 including medical ethics, as the board deems useful to test 43 the fitness of the candidate to practice physical therapy. 44 5. No person who has failed on six or more occasions 45 to achieve a passing score on the examination required by 46 this section shall be eligible for licensure by examination 47 under this section. 48 6. The applicant shall pass a test administered by the 49 board on the laws and rules related to the practice of 50 physical therapy in Missouri. 51 334.655. 1. A candidate for licensure to practice as 1 a physical therapist assis tant shall furnish evidence of the 2 person's educational qualifications. The educational 3 requirements for licensure as a physical therapist assistant 4 are: 5 (1) A certificate of graduation from an accredited 6 high school or its equivalent; and 7 (2) Satisfactory evidence of completion of an 8 associate degree program of physical therapy education 9 accredited by the commission on accreditation of physical 10 therapy education or eligibility to graduate from such a 11 program within ninety days . 12 2. Persons desiring to practice as a physical 13 therapist assistant in this state shall appear before the 14 board at such time and place as the board may direct and be 15 16 examined as to the person's fitness to engage in such 16 practice. Applicants shall meet th e qualifying standards 17 for such examinations, including any requirements 18 established by any entity contracted by the board to 19 administer the board -approved examination. Applications for 20 examination shall be on a form furnished by the board and 21 shall include evidence satisfactory to the board that the 22 applicant possesses the qualifications provided in 23 subsection 1 of this section and meets the requirements 24 established to qualify for examination . Each application 25 shall contain a statement that the statement is made under 26 oath of affirmation and that its representations are true 27 and correct to the best knowledge and belief of the person 28 signing the statement, subject to the penalties of making a 29 false affidavit or declaration. 30 3. The examination of qualified candidates for 31 licensure to practice as physical therapist assistants shall 32 embrace an examination which shall cover the curriculum 33 taught in accredited associate degree programs of physical 34 therapy assistant education. Such examination shall be 35 sufficient to test the qualification of the candidates as 36 practitioners. 37 4. The examination shall include, as related to the 38 human body, the subjects of anatomy, kinesiology, pathology, 39 physiology, psychology, physical therapy theor y and 40 procedures as related to medicine and such other subjects, 41 including medical ethics, as the board deems useful to test 42 the fitness of the candidate to practice as a physical 43 therapist assistant. 44 5. No person who has failed on six or more occasions 45 to achieve a passing score on the examination required by 46 this section shall be eligible for licensure by examination 47 under this section. 48 17 6. The applicant shall pass a test administered by the 49 board on the laws and rules related to the practice as a 50 physical therapist assistant in this state. 51 [6.] 7. The board shall license without examination 52 any legally qualified person who is a resident of this state 53 and who was actively engaged in practice as a physical 54 therapist assistant on August 28, 1993. The board may 55 license such person pursuant to this subsection until ninety 56 days after the effective date of this section. 57 [7.] 8. A candidate to practice as a physical 58 therapist assistant who does not meet the educational 59 qualifications may submit to the board an application for 60 examination if such person can furnish written evidence to 61 the board that the person has been employed in this state 62 for at least three of the last five years under the 63 supervision of a licensed phys ical therapist and such person 64 possesses the knowledge and training equivalent to that 65 obtained in an accredited school. The board may license 66 such persons pursuant to this subsection until ninety days 67 after rules developed by the state board of heali ng arts 68 regarding physical therapist assistant licensing become 69 effective. 70 345.015. As used in sections 345.010 to 345.080, the 1 following terms mean: 2 (1) "Audiologist", a person who is licensed as an 3 audiologist pursuant to sections 345.010 to 345.080 to 4 practice audiology; 5 (2) "Audiology aide", a person who is registered as an 6 audiology aide by the board, who does not act independently 7 but works under the direction and supervision of a licensed 8 audiologist. Such person assists the audiologist with 9 activities which require an understanding of audiology but 10 do not require formal training in the relevant academics. 11 18 To be eligible for registration by the board, each applicant 12 shall submit a registration fee and: 13 (a) Be at least eighteen years of age; 14 (b) Furnish evidence of the person's educational 15 qualifications which shall be at a minimum: 16 a. Certification of graduation from an accredited high 17 school or its equivalent; and 18 b. On-the-job training; 19 (c) Be employed in a setting in which direct and 20 indirect supervision are provided on a regular and 21 systematic basis by a licensed audiologist. 22 However, the aide shall not administer or interpret hearing 23 screening or diagnostic tests, fi t or dispense hearing 24 instruments, make ear impressions, make diagnostic 25 statements, determine case selection, present written 26 reports to anyone other than the supervisor without the 27 signature of the supervisor, make referrals to other 28 professionals or agencies, use a title other than audiology 29 aide, develop or modify treatment plans, discharge clients 30 from treatment or terminate treatment, disclose clinical 31 information, either orally or in writing, to anyone other 32 than the supervising audiologist, or perform any procedure 33 for which he or she is not qualified, has not been 34 adequately trained or both; 35 (3) "Board", the state board of registration for the 36 healing arts; 37 (4) "Clinical fellowship", the supervised professional 38 employment period following completion of the academic and 39 practicum requirements of an accredited training program 40 under this chapter; 41 (5) "Commission", the advisory commission for speech - 42 language pathologists and audiologists; 43 19 [(5)] (6) "Hearing instrument" or "hearing aid", any 44 wearable device or instrument designed for or offered for 45 the purpose of aiding or compensating for impaired human 46 hearing and any parts, attachments or accessories, including 47 ear molds, but excluding batteries, cords, recei vers and 48 repairs; 49 [(6)] (7) "Person", any individual, organization, or 50 corporate body, except that only individuals may be licensed 51 pursuant to sections 345.010 to 345.080; 52 [(7)] (8) "Practice of audiology": 53 (a) The application of acce pted audiologic principles, 54 methods and procedures for the measurement, testing, 55 interpretation, appraisal and prediction related to 56 disorders of the auditory system, balance system or related 57 structures and systems; 58 (b) Provides consultation or counseling to the 59 patient, client, student, their family or interested parties; 60 (c) Provides academic, social and medical referrals 61 when appropriate; 62 (d) Provides for establishing goals, implementing 63 strategies, methods and techniques, for h abilitation, 64 rehabilitation or aural rehabilitation, related to disorders 65 of the auditory system, balance system or related structures 66 and systems; 67 (e) Provides for involvement in related research, 68 teaching or public education; 69 (f) Provides for rendering of services or participates 70 in the planning, directing or conducting of programs which 71 are designed to modify audition, communicative, balance or 72 cognitive disorder, which may involve speech and language or 73 education issues; 74 (g) Provides and interprets behavioral and 75 neurophysiologic measurements of auditory balance, cognitive 76 20 processing and related functions, including intraoperative 77 monitoring; 78 (h) Provides involvement in any tasks, procedures, 79 acts or practices that are necessary for evaluation of 80 audition, hearing, training in the use of amplification or 81 assistive listening devices; 82 (i) Provides selection, assessment, fitting, 83 programming, and dispensing of hearing instruments, 84 assistive listening devices, and other amplification systems; 85 (j) Provides for taking impressions of the ear, making 86 custom ear molds, ear plugs, swim molds and industrial noise 87 protectors; 88 (k) Provides assessment of external ear and cerumen 89 management; 90 (l) Provides advising, fitting, mapping assessment of 91 implantable devices such as cochlear or auditory brain stem 92 devices; 93 (m) Provides information in noise control and hearing 94 conservation including education, equipment selection, 95 equipment calibration, site evaluation and employee 96 evaluation; 97 (n) Provides performing basic speech -language 98 screening test; 99 (o) Provides involvement in social aspects of 100 communication, including challenging behavior and 101 ineffective social skills, lack of communicat ion 102 opportunities; 103 (p) Provides support and training of family members 104 and other communication partners for the individual with 105 auditory balance, cognitive and communication disorders; 106 (q) Provides aural rehabilitation and related services 107 to individuals with hearing loss and their families; 108 21 (r) Evaluates, collaborates and manages audition 109 problems in the assessment of the central auditory 110 processing disorders and providing intervention for 111 individuals with central auditory processi ng disorders; 112 (s) Develops and manages academic and clinical 113 problems in communication sciences and disorders; 114 (t) Conducts, disseminates and applies research in 115 communication sciences and disorders; 116 [(8)] (9) "Practice of speech-language pathology": 117 (a) Provides screening, identification, assessment, 118 diagnosis, treatment, intervention, including but not 119 limited to prevention, restoration, amelioration and 120 compensation, and follow -up services for disorders of: 121 a. Speech: articulation, fluency, voice, including 122 respiration, phonation and resonance; 123 b. Language, involving the parameters of phonology, 124 morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatic; and including 125 disorders of receptive and expressive communication in ora l, 126 written, graphic and manual modalities; 127 c. Oral, pharyngeal, cervical esophageal and related 128 functions, such as dysphagia, including disorders of 129 swallowing and oral functions for feeding; orofacial 130 myofunctional disorders; 131 d. Cognitive aspects of communication, including 132 communication disability and other functional disabilities 133 associated with cognitive impairment; 134 e. Social aspects of communication, including 135 challenging behavior, ineffective social skills, lack of 136 communication opportunities; 137 (b) Provides consultation and counseling and makes 138 referrals when appropriate; 139 22 (c) Trains and supports family members and other 140 communication partners of individuals with speech, voice, 141 language, communication and swallowi ng disabilities; 142 (d) Develops and establishes effective augmentative 143 and alternative communication techniques and strategies, 144 including selecting, prescribing and dispensing of 145 augmentative aids and devices; and the training of 146 individuals, their families and other communication partners 147 in their use; 148 (e) Selects, fits and establishes effective use of 149 appropriate prosthetic/adaptive devices for speaking and 150 swallowing, such as tracheoesophageal valves, 151 electrolarynges, or speaking valves ; 152 (f) Uses instrumental technology to diagnose and treat 153 disorders of communication and swallowing, such as 154 videofluoroscopy, nasendoscopy, ultrasonography and 155 stroboscopy; 156 (g) Provides aural rehabilitative and related 157 counseling services t o individuals with hearing loss and to 158 their families; 159 (h) Collaborates in the assessment of central auditory 160 processing disorders in cases in which there is evidence of 161 speech, language or other cognitive communication disorders; 162 provides intervention for individuals with central auditory 163 processing disorders; 164 (i) Conducts pure-tone air conduction hearing 165 screening and screening tympanometry for the purpose of the 166 initial identification or referral; 167 (j) Enhances speech and language proficiency and 168 communication effectiveness, including but not limited to 169 accent reduction, collaboration with teachers of English as 170 a second language and improvement of voice, performance and 171 singing; 172 23 (k) Trains and supervises support personne l; 173 (l) Develops and manages academic and clinical 174 programs in communication sciences and disorders; 175 (m) Conducts, disseminates and applies research in 176 communication sciences and disorders; 177 (n) Measures outcomes of treatment and conducts 178 continuous evaluation of the effectiveness of practices and 179 programs to improve and maintain quality of services; 180 [(9)] (10) "Speech-language pathologist", a person who 181 is licensed as a speech -language pathologist pursuant to 182 sections 345.010 to 345.080; who engages in the practice of 183 speech-language pathology as defined in sections 345.010 to 184 345.080; 185 [(10)] (11) "Speech-language pathology aide", a person 186 who is registered as a speech -language aide by the board, 187 who does not act indepe ndently but works under the direction 188 and supervision of a licensed speech -language pathologist. 189 Such person assists the speech -language pathologist with 190 activities which require an understanding of speech -language 191 pathology but do not require formal training in the relevant 192 academics. To be eligible for registration by the board, 193 each applicant shall submit a registration fee and: 194 (a) Be at least eighteen years of age; 195 (b) Furnish evidence of the person's educational 196 qualifications which shall be at a minimum: 197 a. Certification of graduation from an accredited high 198 school or its equivalent; and 199 b. On-the-job training; 200 (c) Be employed in a setting in which direct and 201 indirect supervision is provided on a regular and sy stematic 202 basis by a licensed speech -language pathologist. 203 However, the aide shall not administer or interpret hearing 204 screening or diagnostic tests, fit or dispense hearing 205 24 instruments, make ear impressions, make diagnostic 206 statements, determine case s election, present written 207 reports to anyone other than the supervisor without the 208 signature of the supervisor, make referrals to other 209 professionals or agencies, use a title other than speech - 210 language pathology aide, develop or modify treatment plans, 211 discharge clients from treatment or terminate treatment, 212 disclose clinical information, either orally or in writing, 213 to anyone other than the supervising speech -language 214 pathologist, or perform any procedure for which he or she is 215 not qualified, has n ot been adequately trained or both; 216 [(11)] (12) "Speech-language pathology assistant", a 217 person who is registered as a speech -language pathology 218 assistant by the board, who does not act independently but 219 works under the direction and supervision o f a licensed 220 speech-language pathologist practicing for at least one year 221 or speech-language pathologist practicing under subdivision 222 (1) or (6) of subsection 1 of section 345.025 for at least 223 one year and whose activities require both academic and 224 practical training in the field of speech -language pathology 225 although less training than those established by sections 226 345.010 to 345.080 as necessary for licensing as a speech - 227 language pathologist. To be eligible for registration by 228 the board, each applicant shall submit the registration fee, 229 supervising speech-language pathologist information if 230 employment is confirmed, if not such information shall be 231 provided after registration, and furnish evidence of the 232 person's educational qualifications whic h meet the following: 233 (a) Hold a bachelor's level degree from an institution 234 accredited or approved by a regional accrediting body 235 recognized by the United States Department of Education or 236 its equivalent; and 237 25 (b) Submit official transcripts from one or more 238 accredited colleges or universities presenting evidence of 239 the completion of bachelor's level course work and 240 requirements in the field of speech -language pathology as 241 established by the board through rules and regulations; 242 (c) Submit proof of completion of the number and type 243 of clinical hours as established by the board through rules 244 and regulations. 245 345.022. 1. Any person in the person's clinical 1 fellowship shall hold a provisional license to practice 2 speech-language pathology or audiology. The board may issue 3 a provisional license to an applicant who: 4 (1) Has met the requirements for practicum and 5 academic requirements from an accredited training program 6 under this chapter; 7 (2) Submits an application to the board on a form 8 prescribed by the board. Such form shall include a plan for 9 the content and supervision of the clinical fellowship, as 10 well as evidence of good moral and ethical character; and 11 (3) Submits to the board an a pplication fee, as set by 12 the board, for the provisional license. 13 2. A provisional license is effective for one year and 14 may be extended for an additional twelve months only for 15 purposes of completing the postgraduate clinical experience 16 portion of the clinical fellowship; provided, that the 17 applicant has passed the national examination and shall hold 18 a master's degree from an approved training program in his 19 or her area of application. 20 3. Within twelve months of issuance of the provision al 21 license, the applicant shall pass an examination promulgated 22 or approved by the board. 23 4. Within twelve months of issuance of a provisional 24 license, the applicant shall complete the requirements for 25 26 the master's or doctoral degree from a progr am accredited by 26 the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech - 27 Language-Hearing Association or other accrediting agency 28 approved by the board in the area in which licensure is 29 sought. 30 345.050. [1.] To be eligible for licensure by the 1 board by examination, each applicant shall submit the 2 application fee and shall furnish evidence of such person's 3 current competence and shall: 4 (1) Hold a master's or a doctoral degree from a 5 program that was awarded "accredit ation candidate" status or 6 is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of 7 the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or other 8 accrediting agency approved by the board in the area in 9 which licensure is sought; 10 (2) Submit official transcripts from one or more 11 accredited colleges or universities presenting evidence of 12 the completion of course work and clinical practicum 13 requirements equivalent to that required by the Council on 14 Academic Accreditation of the American Speech -Language- 15 Hearing Association or other accrediting agency approved by 16 the board; [and] 17 (3) Present written evidence of completion of a 18 clinical fellowship from supervisors. The experience 19 required by this subdivision shall follow the completion of 20 the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this 21 subsection. This period of employment shall be under the 22 direct supervision of a person who is licensed by the state 23 of Missouri in the profession in which the applicant seeks 24 to be licensed. Persons applying with an audiology clinical 25 doctoral degree are exempt from this provision; and 26 27 (4) Pass an examination promulgated or approved by the 27 board. The board shall determine the subject and scope of 28 the examinations. 29 [2. To be eligible for licensure by the board without 30 examination, each applicant shall make application on forms 31 prescribed by the board, submit the application fee, submit 32 an activity statement and meet one of the following 33 requirements: 34 (1) The board shall issue a license to any speech - 35 language pathologist or audiologist who is licensed in 36 another country and who has had no violations, suspension or 37 revocations of a license to practice speech -language 38 pathology or audiology in any jurisdiction; provided that, 39 such person is licensed in a country whose requirements are 40 substantially equal to, or greater than, Missouri at the 41 time the applicant applies for licensure; or 42 (2) Hold the certificate of clinical competence issued 43 by the American Speech -Language-Hearing Association in the 44 area in which licensure is sought. ] 45 345.052. 1. For purposes of this section, the 1 following terms mean: 2 (1) "Board", the Missouri board of registration for 3 the healing arts; 4 (2) "Commission", the advisory commission for speech - 5 language pathologists and audiologists; 6 (3) "License", a license, certificate, registration, 7 permit, accreditation, or military occupational specialty 8 that enables a person to legally practice an occupation or 9 profession in a particular jurisdiction; 10 (4) "Military", the Armed Forces of the United States 11 including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, 12 Navy, Space Force, National Guard, and any other military 13 branch that is designated by Congr ess as part of the Armed 14 28 Forces of the United States, and all reserve components and 15 auxiliaries. Such term also includes the military reserves 16 and militia of the United States territory or state; 17 (5) "Nonresident military spouse", a nonresident 18 spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the 19 United States who has been transferred or is scheduled to be 20 transferred to an adjacent state and is or will be domiciled 21 in the state of Missouri, or has moved to the state of 22 Missouri on a permanent change-of-station basis; 23 (6) "Resident military spouse", a spouse of an active 24 duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who has 25 been transferred or is scheduled to be transferred to the 26 state of Missouri, who is domiciled in t he state of 27 Missouri, or who has Missouri as his or her home of record. 28 2. Any person who holds a valid current speech - 29 language pathologist or audiologist license issued by 30 another state, a branch or unit of the military, a territory 31 of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and who 32 has been licensed for at least one year in the other 33 jurisdiction, may submit an application for a speech - 34 language pathologist or audiologist license in Missouri 35 along with proof of current licensure and p roof of licensure 36 for at least one year in the other jurisdiction, to the 37 board. 38 3. The board shall: 39 (1) Within six months of receiving an application 40 described in subsection 2 of this section, waive any 41 examination, educational, or experie nce requirements for 42 licensure in this state for the applicant if it determines 43 that there were minimum education requirements and, if 44 applicable, work experience and clinical supervision 45 requirements in effect and the other state verifies that the 46 person met those requirements in order to be licensed or 47 29 certified in that state. The board may require an applicant 48 to take and pass an examination specific to the laws of this 49 state; or 50 (2) Within thirty days of receiving an application 51 describe in subsection 2 of this section from a nonresident 52 military spouse or a resident military spouse, waive any 53 examination, educational, or experience requirements for 54 licensure in this state for the applicant and issue such 55 applicant a license under thi s section if such applicant 56 otherwise meets the requirements of this section. 57 4. (1) The board shall not waive any examination, 58 educational, or experience requirements for any applicant 59 who has had his or her license revoked by a board outside 60 the state; who is currently under investigation, who has a 61 complaint pending, or who is currently under disciplinary 62 action, except as provided in subdivision (2) of this 63 subsection, with a board outside the state; who does not 64 hold a license in good st anding with a board outside the 65 state; who has a criminal record that would disqualify him 66 or her for licensure in Missouri; or who does not hold a 67 valid current license in the other jurisdiction on the date 68 the board receives his or her application un der this section. 69 (2) If another jurisdiction has taken disciplinary 70 action against an applicant, the board shall determine if 71 the cause for the action was corrected and the matter 72 resolved. If the matter has not been resolved by that 73 jurisdiction, the board may deny a license until the matter 74 is resolved. 75 5. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board 76 from denying a license to an applicant under this section 77 for any reason described in section 345.065. 78 6. Any person who is li censed under the provisions of 79 this section shall be subject to the board's jurisdiction 80 30 and all rules and regulations pertaining to the practice as 81 a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in this state. 82 7. This section shall not be construed to waive any 83 requirement for an applicant to pay any fees. 84 345.085. SECTION 1. PURPOSE 1 The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate 2 practice of audiology and speech -language pathology with the 3 goal of improving pu blic access to audiology and speech - 4 language pathology services. The practice of audiology and 5 speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the 6 patient/client/student is located at the time of the 7 patient/client/student encounter. The Compact preserves the 8 regulatory authority of states to protect public health and 9 safety through the current system of state licensure. 10 This Compact is designed to achieve the following 11 objectives: 12 1. Increase public access to audiology and speech - 13 language pathology services by providing for the mutual 14 recognition of other member state licenses; 15 2. Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's 16 health and safety; 17 3. Encourage the cooperation of member states in 18 regulating multistate audiology and speech -language 19 pathology practice; 20 4. Support spouses of relocating active duty military 21 personnel; 22 5. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative 23 and disciplinary information between member states; 24 6. Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services 25 with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that 26 state's practice standards; and 27 31 7. Allow for the use of telehealth technology to 28 facilitate increased access to audiology and speech -language 29 pathology services. 30 SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS 31 As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise 32 provided, the following definitions shall apply: 33 A. "Active duty military" means full -time duty status 34 in the active uniformed service of the United States, 35 including members of the National Guard and Reserve on 36 active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1209 and 37 1211. 38 B. "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, 39 equitable or criminal action permitted by a state's laws 40 which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority 41 against an audiologist or speech -language pathologist, 42 including actions against an individual's license or 43 privilege to practice such as revocation, suspension, 44 probation, monitoring of the licensee, o r restriction on the 45 licensee's practice. 46 C. "Alternative program" means a non -disciplinary 47 monitoring process approved by an audiology or speech - 48 language pathology licensing board to address impaired 49 practitioners. 50 D. "Audiologist" means a n individual who is licensed 51 by a state to practice audiology. 52 E. "Audiology" means the care and services provided by 53 a licensed audiologist as set forth in the member state's 54 statutes and rules. 55 F. "Audiology and Speech -Language Pathology C ompact 56 Commission" or "Commission" means the national 57 administrative body whose membership consists of all states 58 that have enacted the Compact. 59 32 G. "Audiology and speech -language pathology licensing 60 board," "audiology licensing board," "speech -language 61 pathology licensing board," or "licensing board" means the 62 agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and 63 regulation of audiologists and/or speech -language 64 pathologists. 65 H. "Compact privilege" means the authorization granted 66 by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member 67 state to practice as an audiologist or speech -language 68 pathologist in the remote state under its laws and rules. 69 The practice of audiology or speech -language pathology 70 occurs in the member stat e where the patient/client/student 71 is located at the time of the patient/client/student 72 encounter. 73 I. "Current significant investigative information" 74 means investigative information that a licensing board, 75 after an inquiry or investigation that i ncludes notification 76 and an opportunity for the audiologist or speech -language 77 pathologist to respond, if required by state law, has reason 78 to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would 79 indicate more than a minor infraction. 80 J. "Data system" means a repository of information 81 about licensees, including, but not limited to, continuing 82 education, examination, licensure, investigative, compact 83 privilege and adverse action. 84 K. "Encumbered license" means a license in which an 85 adverse action restricts the practice of audiology or speech - 86 language pathology by the licensee and said adverse action 87 has been reported to the National Practitioners Data Bank 88 (NPDB). 89 L. "Executive Committee" means a group of directors 90 elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the 91 powers granted to them by, the Commission. 92 33 M. "Home state" means the member state that is the 93 licensee's primary state of residence. 94 N. "Impaired practitioner" means individuals whose 95 professional practice is adversely affected by substance 96 abuse, addiction, or other health -related conditions. 97 O. "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds 98 an authorization from the state licensing board to practice 99 as an audiologist or speech -language pathologist. 100 P. "Member state" means a state that has enacted the 101 Compact. 102 Q. "Privilege to practice" means a legal authorization 103 permitting the practice of audiology or speech -language 104 pathology in a remote state. 105 R. "Remote state" means a member state other than the 106 home state where a licensee is exercising or seeking to 107 exercise the compact privilege. 108 S. "Rule" means a regulation, principle or directive 109 promulgated by the Commission that has the force of law. 110 T. "Single-state license" means an audiology or speech - 111 language pathology license issued by a member state that 112 authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does 113 not include a privilege to practice in any other member 114 state. 115 U. "Speech-language pathologist" means an individual 116 who is licensed by a state to practice speech -language 117 pathology. 118 V. "Speech-language pathology" means the care and 119 services provided by a licensed speech -language pathologist 120 as set forth in the member state's sta tutes and rules. 121 W. "State" means any state, commonwealth, district or 122 territory of the United States of America that regulates the 123 practice of audiology and speech -language pathology. 124 34 X. "State practice laws" means a member state's laws, 125 rules and regulations that govern the practice of audiology 126 or speech-language pathology, define the scope of audiology 127 or speech-language pathology practice, and create the 128 methods and grounds for imposing discipline. 129 Y. "Telehealth" means the appl ication of 130 telecommunication technology to deliver audiology or speech - 131 language pathology services at a distance for assessment, 132 intervention and/or consultation. 133 SECTION 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT 134 A. A license issued to an audiolo gist or speech- 135 language pathologist by a home state to a resident in that 136 state shall be recognized by each member state as 137 authorizing an audiologist or speech -language pathologist to 138 practice audiology or speech -language pathology, under a 139 privilege to practice, in each member state. 140 B. A state must implement or utilize procedures for 141 considering the criminal history records of applicants for 142 initial privilege to practice. These procedures shall 143 include the submission of fingerprints or oth er biometric- 144 based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining 145 an applicant's criminal history record information from the 146 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible 147 for retaining that state's criminal records. 148 1. A member state must fully implement a criminal 149 background check requirement, within a time frame 150 established by rule, by receiving the results of the Federal 151 Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background 152 checks and use the results in making l icensure decisions. 153 2. Communication between a member state, the 154 Commission and among member states regarding the 155 verification of eligibility for licensure through the 156 Compact shall not include any information received from the 157 35 Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a federal 158 criminal records check performed by a member state under 159 Public Law 92-544. 160 C. Upon application for a privilege to practice, the 161 licensing board in the issuing remote state shall ascertain, 162 through the data sys tem, whether the applicant has ever 163 held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other 164 state, whether there are any encumbrances on any license or 165 privilege to practice held by the applicant, whether any 166 adverse action has been taken against any license or 167 privilege to practice held by the applicant. 168 D. Each member state shall require an applicant to 169 obtain or retain a license in the home state and meet the 170 home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of 171 licensure, as well as, al l other applicable state laws. 172 E. For an audiologist: 173 1. Must meet one of the following educational 174 requirements: 175 a. On or before, Dec. 31, 2007, has graduated with a 176 master's degree or doctorate in audiology, or equivalent 177 degree regardless of degree name, from a program that is 178 accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the 179 Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its 180 successor, or by the United States Department of Education 181 and operated by a college or university ac credited by a 182 regional or national accrediting organization recognized by 183 the board; or 184 b. On or after, Jan. 1, 2008, has graduated with a 185 Doctoral degree in audiology, or equivalent degree, 186 regardless of degree name, from a program that is accre dited 187 by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for 188 Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the 189 United States Department of Education and operated by a 190 36 college or university accredited by a regional or national 191 accrediting organization recognized by the board; or 192 c. Has graduated from an audiology program that is 193 housed in an institution of higher education outside of the 194 United States (a) for which the program and institution have 195 been approved by the authorized accre diting body in the 196 applicable country and (b) the degree program has been 197 verified by an independent credentials review agency to be 198 comparable to a state licensing board -approved program. 199 2. Has completed a supervised clinical practicum 200 experience from an accredited educational institution or its 201 cooperating programs as required by the Commission; 202 3. Has successfully passed a national examination 203 approved by the Commission; 204 4. Holds an active, unencumbered license; 205 5. Has not been convicted or found guilty, and has not 206 entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony related to 207 the practice of audiology, under applicable state or federal 208 criminal law; 209 6. Has a valid United States Social Security or 210 National Practitione r Identification number. 211 F. For a speech-language pathologist: 212 1. Must meet one of the following educational 213 requirements: 214 a. Has graduated with a master's degree from a speech - 215 language pathology program that is accredited by an 216 organization recognized by the United States Department of 217 Education and operated by a college or university accredited 218 by a regional or national accrediting organization 219 recognized by the board; or 220 b. Has graduated from a speech -language pathology 221 program that is housed in an institution of higher education 222 outside of the United States (a) for which the program and 223 37 institution have been approved by the authorized accrediting 224 body in the applicable country and (b) the degree program 225 has been verified by an independent credentials review 226 agency to be comparable to a state licensing board -approved 227 program. 228 2. Has completed a supervised clinical practicum 229 experience from an educational institution or its 230 cooperating programs as required by the Commission; 231 3. Has completed a supervised postgraduate 232 professional experience as required by the Commission; 233 4. Has successfully passed a national examination 234 approved by the Commission; 235 5. Holds an active, unencumbered license; 236 6. Has not been convicted or found guilty, and has not 237 entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony related to 238 the practice of speech -language pathology, under applicable 239 state or federal criminal law; 240 7. Has a valid United States Social Secur ity or 241 National Practitioner Identification number. 242 G. The privilege to practice is derived from the home 243 state license. 244 H. An audiologist or speech -language pathologist 245 practicing in a member state must comply with the state 246 practice laws of the state in which the client is located at 247 the time service is provided. The practice of audiology and 248 speech-language pathology shall include all audiology and 249 speech-language pathology practice as defined by the state 250 practice laws of the member state in which the client is 251 located. The practice of audiology and speech -language 252 pathology in a member state under a privilege to practice 253 shall subject an audiologist or speech -language pathologist 254 to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts and 255 38 the laws of the member state in which the client is located 256 at the time service is provided. 257 I. Individuals not residing in a member state shall 258 continue to be able to apply for a member state's single - 259 state license as provided under t he laws of each member 260 state. However, the single-state license granted to these 261 individuals shall not be recognized as granting the 262 privilege to practice audiology or speech -language pathology 263 in any other member state. Nothing in this Compact shall 264 affect the requirements established by a member state for 265 the issuance of a single -state license. 266 J. Member states may charge a fee for granting a 267 compact privilege. 268 K. Member states must comply with the bylaws and rules 269 and regulations of the Commission. 270 SECTION 4. COMPACT PRIVILEGE 271 A. To exercise the compact privilege under the terms 272 and provisions of the Compact, the audiologist or speech - 273 language pathologist shall: 274 1. Hold an active license in the home state; 275 2. Have no encumbrance on any state license; 276 3. Be eligible for a compact privilege in any member 277 state in accordance with Section 3; 278 4. Have not had any adverse action against any license 279 or compact privilege within the previous 2 years from date 280 of application; 281 5. Notify the Commission that the licensee is seeking 282 the compact privilege within a remote state(s); 283 6. Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, 284 for the compact privilege; 285 7. Report to the Commission adve rse action taken by 286 any non-member state within 30 days from the date the 287 adverse action is taken. 288 39 B. For the purposes of the compact privilege, an 289 audiologist or speech -language pathologist shall only hold 290 one home state license at a time. 291 C. Except as provided in Section 6, if an audiologist 292 or speech-language pathologist changes primary state of 293 residence by moving between two -member states, the 294 audiologist or speech -language pathologist must apply for 295 licensure in the new home state, and the license issued by 296 the prior home state shall be deactivated in accordance with 297 applicable rules adopted by the Commission. 298 D. The audiologist or speech -language pathologist may 299 apply for licensure in advance of a change in primary state 300 of residence. 301 E. A license shall not be issued by the new home state 302 until the audiologist or speech -language pathologist 303 provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state 304 of residence to the new home state and satisfies all 305 applicable requirements to obtain a license from the new 306 home state. 307 F. If an audiologist or speech -language pathologist 308 changes primary state of residence by moving from a member 309 state to a non-member state, the license issued by the prior 310 home state shall convert to a single-state license, valid 311 only in the former home state. 312 G. The compact privilege is valid until the expiration 313 date of the home state license. The licensee must comply 314 with the requirements of Section 4A to maintain the compact 315 privilege in the remote state. 316 H. A licensee providing audiology or speech -language 317 pathology services in a remote state under the compact 318 privilege shall function within the laws and regulations of 319 the remote state. 320 40 I. A licensee providing audiology or speech-language 321 pathology services in a remote state is subject to that 322 state's regulatory authority. A remote state may, in 323 accordance with due process and that state's laws, remove a 324 licensee's compact privilege in the remote state for a 325 specific period of time, impose fines, and/or take any other 326 necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its 327 citizens. 328 J. If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee 329 shall lose the compact privilege in any remote state until 330 the following occur: 331 1. The home state license is no longer encumbered; and 332 2. Two years have elapsed from the date of the adverse 333 action. 334 K. Once an encumbered license in the home state is 335 restored to good standing, the licensee must m eet the 336 requirements of Section 4A to obtain a compact privilege in 337 any remote state. 338 L. Once the requirements of Section 4J have been met, 339 the licensee must meet the requirements in Section 4A to 340 obtain a compact privilege in a remote state. 341 SECTION 5. COMPACT PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE TELEHEALTH 342 Member states shall recognize the right of an 343 audiologist or speech -language pathologist, licensed by a 344 home state in accordance with Section 3 and under rules 345 promulgated by the Commission, to practice audiology or 346 speech-language pathology in any member state via telehealth 347 under a privilege to practice as provided in the Compact and 348 rules promulgated by the Commission. 349 SECTION 6. ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR THEIR 350 SPOUSES 351 Active duty military personnel, or their spouse, shall 352 designate a home state where the individual has a current 353 41 license in good standing. The individual may retain the 354 home state designation during the period the service member 355 is on active duty. Subsequent to designating a home state, 356 the individual shall only change their home state through 357 application for licensure in the new state. 358 SECTION 7. ADVERSE ACTIONS 359 A. In addition to the other powers conferred by state 360 law, a remote state shall have the authority, in accordance 361 with existing state due process law, to: 362 1. Take adverse action against an audiologist's or 363 speech-language pathologist's privilege to practice within 364 that member state. 365 2. Issue subpoenas for both hea rings and 366 investigations that require the attendance and testimony of 367 witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas 368 issued by a licensing board in a member state for the 369 attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of 370 evidence from another member state shall be enforced in the 371 latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, 372 according to the practice and procedure of that court 373 applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before 374 it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, 375 travel expenses, mileage and other fees required by the 376 service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or 377 evidence are located. 378 3. Only the home state shall have the power to take 379 adverse action against a audiologist' s or speech-language 380 pathologist's license issued by the home state. 381 B. For purposes of taking adverse action, the home 382 state shall give the same priority and effect to reported 383 conduct received from a member state as it would if the 384 conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, 385 42 the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine 386 appropriate action. 387 C. The home state shall complete any pending 388 investigations of an audiologist or speech -language 389 pathologist who changes primary state of residence during 390 the course of the investigations. The home state shall also 391 have the authority to take appropriate action(s) and shall 392 promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to the 393 administrator of the data system. The administrator of the 394 coordinated licensure information system shall promptly 395 notify the new home state of any adverse actions. 396 D. If otherwise permitted by state law, the member 397 state may recover from the affected audiologist or speech - 398 language pathologist the costs of investigations and 399 disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken 400 against that audiologist or speech -language pathologist. 401 E. The member state may take adverse action based on 402 the factual findings of the rem ote state, provided that the 403 member state follows the member state's own procedures for 404 taking the adverse action. 405 F. Joint Investigations: 406 1. In addition to the authority granted to a member 407 state by its respective audiology or speech -language 408 pathology practice act or other applicable state law, any 409 member state may participate with other member states in 410 joint investigations of licensees. 411 2. Member states shall share any investigative, 412 litigation, or compliance materials in furth erance of any 413 joint or individual investigation initiated under the 414 Compact. 415 G. If adverse action is taken by the home state 416 against an audiologist's or speech -language pathologist's 417 license, the audiologist's or speech -language pathologist's 418 43 privilege to practice in all other member states shall be 419 deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from 420 the state license. All home state disciplinary orders that 421 impose adverse action against an audiologist's or speech - 422 language pathologist' s license shall include a statement 423 that the audiologist's or speech -language pathologist's 424 privilege to practice is deactivated in all member states 425 during the pendency of the order. 426 H. If a member state takes adverse action, it shall 427 promptly notify the administrator of the data system. The 428 administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the 429 home state of any adverse actions by remote states. 430 I. Nothing in this Compact shall override a member 431 state's decision that participation in an alternative 432 program may be used in lieu of adverse action. 433 SECTION 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH - 434 LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY COMPACT COMMISSION 435 A. The Compact member states hereby create and 436 establish a joint public agency known as the Audiology and 437 Speech-Language Pathology Compact Commission: 438 1. The Commission is an instrumentality of the Compact 439 states. 440 2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or 441 against the Commission shall be brought solely and 442 exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the 443 principal office of the Commission is located. The 444 Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to 445 the extent it adopts or consents to participate in 446 alternative dispute resolution proceeding s. 447 3. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a 448 waiver of sovereign immunity. 449 B. Membership, Voting and Meetings: 450 44 1. Each member state shall have two (2) delegates 451 selected by that member state's licensing board. The 452 delegates shall be current members of the licensing board. 453 One shall be an audiologist and one shall be a speech - 454 language pathologist. 455 2. An additional five (5) delegates, who are either a 456 public member or board administrator from a state licensing 457 board, shall be chosen by the Executive Committee from a 458 pool of nominees provided by the Commission at Large. 459 3. Any delegate may be removed or suspended from 460 office as provided by the law of the state from which the 461 delegate is appointed. 462 4. The member state board shall fill any vacancy 463 occurring on the Commission, within 90 days. 464 5. Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote 465 with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of 466 bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to 467 participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. 468 6. A delegate shall vote in person or by other means 469 as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for 470 delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or other 471 means of communicati on. 472 7. The Commission shall meet at least once during each 473 calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set 474 forth in the bylaws. 475 C. The Commission shall have the following powers and 476 duties: 477 1. Establish the fiscal year of the C ommission; 478 2. Establish bylaws; 479 3. Establish a Code of Ethics; 480 4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with 481 the bylaws; 482 45 5. Meet and take actions as are consistent with the 483 provisions of this Compact and the bylaws; 484 6. Promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and 485 coordinate implementation and administration of this 486 Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law 487 and shall be binding in all member states; 488 7. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or act ions in 489 the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of 490 any state audiology or speech -language pathology licensing 491 board to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be 492 affected; 493 8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 494 9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of 495 personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a 496 member state; 497 10. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix 498 compensation, define duties, grant individuals appropriate 499 authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and to 500 establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs 501 relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of 502 personnel, and other related personnel matters; 503 11. Accept any and all appropriate donations an d 504 grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and 505 services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; 506 provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any 507 appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest; 508 12. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or 509 donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any 510 property, real, personal or mixed; provided that at all 511 times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of 512 impropriety; 513 46 13. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, 514 abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, 515 personal, or mixed; 516 14. Establish a budget and make expenditures; 517 15. Borrow money; 518 16. Appoint committees, including standing committees 519 composed of members, and oth er interested persons as may be 520 designated in this Compact and the bylaws; 521 17. Provide and receive information from, and 522 cooperate with, law enforcement agencies; 523 18. Establish and elect an Executive Committee; and 524 19. Perform other functions as may be necessary or 525 appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact 526 consistent with the state regulation of audiology and speech - 527 language pathology licensure and practice. 528 D. The Executive Committee 529 The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on 530 behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this 531 Compact: 532 1. The Executive Committee shall be composed of ten 533 (10) members: 534 a. Seven (7) voting members who are elected by the 535 Commission from the current memb ership of the Commission; 536 b. Two (2) ex-officios, consisting of one nonvoting 537 member from a recognized national audiology professional 538 association and one nonvoting member from a recognized 539 national speech-language pathology association; and 540 c. One (1) ex-officio, nonvoting member from the 541 recognized membership organization of the audiology and 542 speech-language pathology licensing boards. 543 E. The ex-officio members shall be selected by their 544 respective organizations. 545 47 1. The Commission may remove any member of the 546 Executive Committee as provided in bylaws. 547 2. The Executive Committee shall meet at least 548 annually. 549 3. The Executive Committee shall have the following 550 duties and responsibilities: 551 a. Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the 552 rules or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees 553 paid by Compact member states such as annual dues, and any 554 commission Compact fee charged to licensees for the compact 555 privilege; 556 b. Ensure Compact admin istration services are 557 appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise; 558 c. Prepare and recommend the budget; 559 d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the 560 Commission; 561 e. Monitor Compact compliance of member states and 562 provide compliance reports to the Commission; 563 f. Establish additional committees as necessary; and 564 g. Other duties as provided in rules or bylaws. 565 4. Meetings of the Commission 566 All meetings shall be open to the public, and public 567 notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as 568 required under the rulemaking provisions in Section 10. 569 5. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other 570 committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non - 571 public meeting if the Commission or Exec utive Committee or 572 other committees of the Commission must discuss: 573 a. Non-compliance of a member state with its 574 obligations under the Compact; 575 b. The employment, compensation, discipline or other 576 matters, practices or procedures related to specific 577 48 employees or other matters related to the Commission's 578 internal personnel practices and procedures; 579 c. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated 580 litigation; 581 d. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, 582 or sale of goods, services, or real estate; 583 e. Accusing any person of a crime or formally 584 censuring any person; 585 f. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or 586 financial information that is privileged or confidential; 587 g. Disclosure of information of a personal nature 588 where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted 589 invasion of personal privacy; 590 h. Disclosure of investigative records compiled for 591 law enforcement purposes; 592 i. Disclosure of information related to any 593 investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use 594 of the Commission or other committee charged with 595 responsibility of investigation or determination of 596 compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; or 597 j. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by 598 federal or member state statute. 599 6. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed 600 pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel 601 or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and 602 shall reference each relevant exempting pro vision. 603 7. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and 604 clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and 605 shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, 606 and the reasons therefore, including a description of the 607 views expressed. All documents considered in connection 608 with an action shall be identified in minutes. All minutes 609 and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, 610 49 subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or 611 order of a court of competent jurisdiction. 612 8. Financing of the Commission: 613 a. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the 614 payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, 615 organization, and ongoing activities. 616 b. The Commission may accept any and all appr opriate 617 revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, 618 supplies, materials, and services. 619 c. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual 620 assessment from each member state or impose fees on other 621 parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities 622 of the Commission and its staff, which must be in a total 623 amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved 624 each year for which revenue is not provided by other 625 sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be 626 allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the 627 Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all 628 member states. 629 9. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any 630 kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; 631 nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the 632 member states, except by and with the authority of the 633 member state. 634 10. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all 635 receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements 636 of the Commission shall be subject to the audit and 637 accounting procedures established under its bylaws. 638 However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by 639 the Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or 640 licensed public accountant, and the re port of the audit 641 shall be included in and become part of the annual report of 642 the Commission. 643 50 F. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification: 644 1. The members, officers, executive director, 645 employees and representatives of the Commission shall be 646 immune from suit and liability, either personally or in 647 their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss 648 of property or personal injury or other civil liability 649 caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error 650 or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom 651 the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing 652 occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties 653 or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph 654 shall be construed to pro tect any person from suit and/or 655 liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused 656 by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that 657 person. 658 2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, 659 executive director, employee or re presentative of the 660 Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability 661 arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission 662 that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, 663 duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom 664 the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing 665 occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, 666 or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be 667 construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her 668 own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or 669 alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that 670 person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 671 3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless 672 any member, officer, executive director, employee, or 673 representative of the Commission for the amount of any 674 settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising 675 out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that 676 51 occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, 677 or responsibilities, or that person had a reasonable basis 678 for believing occurred within the scope of Commission 679 employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the 680 actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result 681 from the intentional or willf ul or wanton misconduct of that 682 person. 683 SECTION 9. DATA SYSTEM 684 A. The Commission shall provide for the development, 685 maintenance, and utilization of a coordinated database and 686 reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and 687 investigative information on all licensed individuals in 688 member states. 689 B. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to 690 the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set 691 to the data system on all individuals to whom this Compact 692 is applicable as required by the rules of the Commission, 693 including: 694 1. Identifying information; 695 2. Licensure data; 696 3. Adverse actions against a license or compact 697 privilege; 698 4. Non-confidential information related to alternative 699 program participation; 700 5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the 701 reason(s) for denial; and 702 6. Other information that may facilitate the 703 administration of this Compact, as determined by the rules 704 of the Commission. 705 C. Investigative information pertaining to a licensee 706 in any member state shall only be available to other member 707 states. 708 52 D. The Commission shall promptly notify all member 709 states of any adverse action taken against a licensee or an 710 individual applying for a lic ense. Adverse action 711 information pertaining to a licensee in any member state 712 shall be available to any other member state. 713 E. Member states contributing information to the data 714 system may designate information that may not be shared with 715 the public without the express permission of the 716 contributing state. 717 F. Any information submitted to the data system that 718 is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the 719 member state contributing the information shall be removed 720 from the data system. 721 SECTION 10. RULEMAKING 722 A. The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers 723 pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Section and the 724 rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become 725 binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment. 726 B. If a majority of the legislatures of the member 727 states rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or 728 resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact 729 within 4 years of the date of adoption of the rule, the rule 730 shall have no further force and effect in any member state. 731 C. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted 732 at a regular or special meeting of the Commission. 733 D. Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule 734 or rules by the Commiss ion, and at least thirty (30) days in 735 advance of the meeting at which the rule shall be considered 736 and voted upon, the Commission shall file a Notice of 737 Proposed Rulemaking: 738 1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly 739 accessible platform; and 740 53 2. On the website of each member state audiology or 741 speech-language pathology licensing board or other publicly 742 accessible platform or the publication in which each state 743 would otherwise publish proposed rules. 744 E. The Notice of Propos ed Rulemaking shall include: 745 1. The proposed time, date, and location of the 746 meeting in which the rule shall be considered and voted upon; 747 2. The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the 748 reason for the proposed rule; 749 3. A request for comments on the proposed rule from 750 any interested person; and 751 4. The manner in which interested persons may submit 752 notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the 753 public hearing and any written comments. 754 F. Prior to the adoptio n of a proposed rule, the 755 Commission shall allow persons to submit written data, 756 facts, opinions and arguments, which shall be made available 757 to the public. 758 G. The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a 759 public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment if a 760 hearing is requested by: 761 1. At least twenty-five (25) persons; 762 2. A state or federal governmental subdivision or 763 agency; or 764 3. An association having at least twenty -five (25) 765 members. 766 H. If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or 767 amendment, the Commission shall publish the place, time, and 768 date of the scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is 769 held via electronic means, the Commission shall publish the 770 mechanism for access to the electronic hearing. 771 1. All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing 772 shall notify the executive director of the Commission or 773 54 other designated member in writing of their desire to appear 774 and testify at the hearing not less than five (5) business 775 days before the schedul ed date of the hearing. 776 2. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing 777 each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable 778 opportunity to comment orally or in writing. 779 3. All hearings shall be recorded. A copy of the 780 recording shall be made available on request. 781 4. Nothing in this section shall be construed as 782 requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be 783 grouped for the convenience of the Commission at hearings 784 required by this section. 785 I. Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the 786 close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the 787 hearing was not held, the Commission shall consider all 788 written and oral comments received. 789 J. If no written notice of intent to attend the public 790 hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission 791 may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a 792 public hearing. 793 K. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all 794 members, take final action on the proposed rule and shall 795 determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on 796 the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule. 797 L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the 798 Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without 799 prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided 800 that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact 801 and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the 802 rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 803 ninety (90) days after the effective date of the ru le. For 804 the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one 805 that must be adopted immediately in order to: 806 55 1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, 807 or welfare; 808 2. Prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds; 809 or 810 3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an 811 administrative rule that is established by federal law or 812 rule. 813 M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the 814 Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule 815 or amendment for purpo ses of correcting typographical 816 errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or 817 grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be 818 posted on the website of the Commission. The revision shall 819 be subject to challenge by any person for a pe riod of thirty 820 (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged 821 only on grounds that the revision results in a material 822 change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and 823 delivered to the chair of the Commission prior to the end of 824 the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision 825 shall take effect without further action. If the revision 826 is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the 827 approval of the Commission. 828 SECTION 11. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, A ND 829 ENFORCEMENT 830 A. Dispute Resolution 831 1. Upon request by a member state, the Commission 832 shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact 833 that arise among member states and between member and non - 834 member states. 835 2. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing 836 for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for 837 disputes as appropriate. 838 B. Enforcement 839 56 1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its 840 discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this 841 Compact. 842 2. By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal 843 action in the United States District Court for the District 844 of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has 845 its principal offices against a member state in default to 846 enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and 847 its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may 848 include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event 849 judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member 850 shall be awarded all co sts of litigation, including 851 reasonable attorney's fees. 852 3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive 853 remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any 854 other remedies available under federal or state law. 855 SECTION 12. DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERSTATE 856 COMMISSION FOR AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH -LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY 857 PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED RULES, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT 858 A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on 859 which the Compact statute is enacted into law in th e 10th 860 member state. The provisions, which become effective at 861 that time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the 862 Commission relating to assembly and the promulgation of 863 rules. Thereafter, the Commission shall meet and exercise 864 rulemaking powers necessary to the implementation and 865 administration of the Compact. 866 B. Any state that joins the Compact subsequent to the 867 Commission's initial adoption of the rules shall be subject 868 to the rules as they exist on the date on which the Compact 869 becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been 870 previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full 871 57 force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law 872 in that state. 873 C. Any member state may withdraw from this Compact by 874 enacting a statute repealing the same. 875 1. A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect 876 until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing 877 statute. 878 2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing 879 requirement of the withdrawing state's audiology or speech- 880 language pathology licensing board to comply with the 881 investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of 882 this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 883 D. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be 884 construed to invalidate or p revent any audiology or speech - 885 language pathology licensure agreement or other cooperative 886 arrangement between a member state and a non -member state 887 that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. 888 E. This Compact may be amended by the member states. 889 No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and 890 binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the 891 laws of all member states. 892 SECTION 13. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 893 This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to 894 effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this 895 Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, 896 sentence or provision of this Compact is declared to be 897 contrary to the constitution of any member state or of the 898 United States or the applicability thereof to any 899 government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, 900 the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the 901 applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or 902 circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this Compact 903 shall be held contrary to the constitution of any member 904 58 state, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as 905 to the remaining member states and in full force and effect 906 as to the member state affected as to all severable matters . 907 SECTION 14. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS 908 A. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any 909 other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with 910 the Compact. 911 B. All laws in a member state in conflict with the 912 Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. 913 C. All lawful actions of the Commission, including all 914 rules and bylaws promulgated by the Commission, are binding 915 upon the member states. 916 D. All agreements between the Commission and the 917 member states are binding in accordance with their terms. 918 E. In the event any provision of the Compact exceeds 919 the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any 920 member state, the provision shall be ineffective to the 921 extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in 922 question in that member state. 923 Section B. Because of the urgent need of low -income 1 Missouri residents for access to quality health care 2 services, the enactment of section 324.005 of this act is 3 deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the 4 public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby 5 declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the 6 constitution, and the enactment of section 324.005 of this 7 act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and 8 approval. 9