REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE (§ 1) A.B. 371 - *AB371* ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 371–ASSEMBLYMEMBER TORRES-FOSSETT MARCH 6, 2025 ____________ Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor SUMMARY—Enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. (BDR 54-835) FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No. Effect on the State: Yes. ~ EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. AN ACT relating to cosmetology; enacting the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; providing cosmetologists practicing in this State under the Compact with the same legal status as persons who are licensed cosmetologists in this State; authorizing the sharing of certain information with a data system created by the Compact; and providing other matters properly relating thereto. Legislative Counsel’s Digest: Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of cosmetologists in this 1 State by the State Board of Cosmetology. (Chapter 644A of NRS) Section 1 of this 2 bill enacts the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, which allows a person who is 3 licensed as a cosmetologist in a state which is a member of the Compact to obtain a 4 multistate license which authorizes the person to practice in other states that are 5 members of the Compact. 6 In order to obtain a multistate license authorizing a person to practice as a 7 cosmetologist under the Compact, the Compact requires a person to: (1) hold an 8 unencumbered license in a State that is a member of the Compact and which is the 9 primary residence of the person; (2) submit to an application process and pay any 10 applicable fees; (3) agree to abide by the rules of the State Board of Cosmetology 11 or other licensing authority in each state in which he or she seeks to practice; (4) 12 function within the scope of practice authorized by each state in which he or she 13 seeks to practice; and (5) meet certain other requirements for eligibility. 14 The Compact requires member states to create a joint government agency 15 called the Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission. The Compact sets forth 16 the powers of the Commission which include, among other powers, the power to 17 adopt rules and bylaws and to hold meetings, which may be closed under certain 18 circumstances. The Compact additionally authorizes the Commission to levy and 19 collect an annual assessment from member states and impose fees upon persons 20 seeking to practice under the Compact to cover the cost of its operations. 21 – 2 – - *AB371* The Compact requires the Commission to create a data system to facilitate the 22 sharing of information among member states. Section 2 of this bill, in general, 23 authorizes the State Board of Cosmetology to disclose information to that data 24 system when required by the Compact. Section 4 of this bill provides for the 25 confidentiality of certain information disclosed through the data system. 26 The Compact provides additional provisions to carry out the Compact, 27 including providing procedures for the taking of adverse actions against licensees, 28 provisions for rulemaking by the Commission, procedures for oversight, dispute 29 resolution and enforcement and procedures for amendments and withdrawals. 30 Section 3 of this bill deems practicing as a cosmetologist under the Compact to 31 be equivalent to practicing under a license issued by the State Board of 32 Cosmetology, thereby providing such persons with the same authority, duties and 33 legal protections as a licensee. 34 THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 644A of NRS is hereby amended by 1 adding thereto a new section to read as follows: 2 The Cosmetology Licensure Compact is hereby ratified and 3 entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining the 4 Compact, in substantially the form set forth in this section: 5 6 COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT 7 8 ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE 9 10 The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate the interstate 11 practice and regulation of Cosmetology with the goal of improving 12 public access to, and the safety of, Cosmetology Services and 13 reducing unnecessary burdens related to Cosmetology licensure. 14 Through this Compact, the Member States seek to establish a 15 regulatory framework which provides for a new multistate 16 licensing program. Through this new licensing program, the 17 Member States seek to provide increased value and mobility to 18 licensed Cosmetologists in the Member States, while ensuring the 19 provision of safe, effective, and reliable services to the public. 20 This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives, 21 and the Member States hereby ratify the same intentions by 22 subscribing hereto: 23 A. Provide opportunities for interstate practice by 24 Cosmetologists who meet uniform requirements for multistate 25 licensure; 26 B. Enhance the abilities of Member States to protect public 27 health and safety, and prevent fraud and unlicensed activity within 28 the profession; 29 – 3 – - *AB371* C. Ensure and encourage cooperation between Member 1 States in the licensure and regulation of the Practice of 2 Cosmetology; 3 D. Support relocating military members and their spouses; 4 E. Facilitate the exchange of information between Member 5 States related to the licensure, investigation, and discipline of the 6 Practice of Cosmetology; and 7 F. Provide for the licensure and mobility of the workforce in 8 the profession, while addressing the shortage of workers and 9 lessening the associated burdens on the Member States. 10 11 ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS 12 13 As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the 14 following definitions shall govern the terms herein: 15 A. “Active Military Member” means any person with full-16 time duty status in the armed forces of the United States, including 17 members of the National Guard and Reserve. 18 B. “Adverse Action” means any administrative, civil, 19 equitable, or criminal action permitted by a Member State’s laws 20 which is imposed by a State Licensing Authority or other 21 regulatory body against a Cosmetologist, including actions against 22 an individual’s license or Authorization to Practice such as 23 revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the Licensee, 24 limitation of the Licensee’s practice, or any other Encumbrance 25 on a license affecting an individual’s ability to participate in the 26 Cosmetology industry, including the issuance of a cease and desist 27 order. 28 C. “Authorization to Practice” means a legal authorization 29 associated with a Multistate License permitting the Practice of 30 Cosmetology in that Remote State, which shall be subject to the 31 enforcement jurisdiction of the State Licensing Authority in that 32 Remote State. 33 D. “Alternative Program” means a non -disciplinary 34 monitoring or prosecutorial diversion program approved by a 35 Member State’s State Licensing Authority. 36 E. “Background Check” means the submission of 37 information for an applicant for the purpose of obtaining that 38 applicant’s criminal history record information, as further defined 39 in 28 C.F.R. § 20.3(d), from the Federal Bureau of Investigation 40 and the agency responsible for retaining State criminal or 41 disciplinary history in the applicant’s Home State. 42 F. “Charter Member State” means Member States who have 43 enacted legislation to adopt this Compact where such legislation 44 predates the effective date of this Compact as defined in Article 13. 45 – 4 – - *AB371* G. “Commission” means the government agency whose 1 membership consists of all States that have enacted this Compact, 2 which is known as the Cosmetology Licensure Compact 3 Commission, as defined in Article 9, and which shall operate as an 4 instrumentality of the Member States. 5 H. “Cosmetologist” means an individual licensed in their 6 Home State to practice Cosmetology. 7 I. “Cosmetology”, “Cosmetology Services”, and the “Practice 8 of Cosmetology” mean the care and services provided by a 9 Cosmetologist as set forth in the Member State’s statutes and 10 regulations in the State where the services are being provided. 11 J. “Current Significant Investigative Information” means: 12 1. Investigative Information that a State Licensing 13 Authority, after an inquiry or investigation that complies with a 14 Member State’s due process requirements, has reason to believe is 15 not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate a violation of 16 that State’s laws regarding fraud or the Practice of Cosmetology; 17 or 18 2. Investigative Information that indicates that a Licensee 19 has engaged in fraud or represents an immediate threat to public 20 health and safety, regardless of whether the Licensee has been 21 notified and had an opportunity to respond. 22 K. “Data System” means a repository of information about 23 Licensees, including, but not limited to, license status, 24 Investigative Information, and Adverse Actions. 25 L. “Disqualifying Event” means any event which shall 26 disqualify an individual from holding a Multistate License under 27 this Compact, which the Commission may by Rule or order 28 specify. 29 M. “Encumbered License” means a license in which an 30 Adverse Action restricts the Practice of Cosmetology by a 31 Licensee, or where said Adverse Action has been reported to the 32 Commission. 33 N. “Encumbrance” means a revocation or suspension of, or 34 any limitation on, the full and unrestricted Practice of 35 Cosmetology by a State Licensing Authority. 36 O. “Executive Committee” means a group of delegates 37 elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers 38 granted to them by, the Commission. 39 P. “Home State” means the Member State which is a 40 Licensee’s primary State of residence, and where that Licensee 41 holds an active and unencumbered license to practice 42 Cosmetology. 43 – 5 – - *AB371* Q. “Investigative Information” means information, records, 1 or documents received or generated by a State Licensing Authority 2 pursuant to an investigation or other inquiry. 3 R. “Jurisprudence Requirement” means the assessment of an 4 individual’s knowledge of the laws and rules governing the 5 Practice of Cosmetology in a State. 6 S. “Licensee” means an individual who currently holds a 7 license from a Member State to practice as a Cosmetologist. 8 T. “Member State” means any State that has adopted this 9 Compact. 10 U. “Multistate License” means a license issued by and 11 subject to the enforcement jurisdiction of the State Licensing 12 Authority in a Licensee’s Home State, which authorizes the 13 Practice of Cosmetology in Member States and includes 14 Authorizations to Practice Cosmetology in all Remote States 15 pursuant to this Compact. 16 V. “Remote State” means any Member State, other than the 17 Licensee’s Home State. 18 W. “Rule” means any rule or regulation promulgated by the 19 Commission under this Compact which has the force of law. 20 X. “Single-State License” means a Cosmetology license 21 issued by a Member State that authorizes practice of Cosmetology 22 only within the issuing State and does not include any 23 authorization outside of the issuing State. 24 Y. “State” means a State, territory, or possession of the 25 United States and the District of Columbia. 26 Z. “State Licensing Authority” means a Member State’s 27 regulatory body responsible for issuing Cosmetology licenses or 28 otherwise overseeing the Practice of Cosmetology in that State. 29 30 ARTICLE 3. MEMBER STATE REQUIREMENTS 31 32 A. To be eligible to join this Compact, and to maintain 33 eligibility as a Member State, a State must: 34 1. License and regulate Cosmetology; 35 2. Have a mechanism or entity in place to receive and 36 investigate complaints about Licensees practicing in that State; 37 3. Require that Licensees within the State pass a 38 Cosmetology competency examination prior to being licensed to 39 provide Cosmetology Services to the public in that State; 40 4. Require that Licensees satisfy educational or training 41 requirements in Cosmetology prior to being licensed to provide 42 Cosmetology Services to the public in that State; 43 5. Implement procedures for considering one or more of 44 the following categories of information from applicants for 45 – 6 – - *AB371* licensure: criminal history; disciplinary history; or Background 1 Check. Such procedures may include the submission of 2 information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an 3 applicant’s Background Check as defined herein; 4 6. Participate in the Data System, including through the 5 use of unique identifying numbers; 6 7. Share information related to Adverse Actions with the 7 Commission and other Member States, both through the Data 8 System and otherwise; 9 8. Notify the Commission and other Member States, in 10 compliance with the terms of the Compact and Rules of the 11 Commission, of the existence of Investigative Information or 12 Current Significant Investigative Information in the State’s 13 possession regarding a Licensee practicing in that State; 14 9. Comply with such Rules as may be enacted by the 15 Commission to administer the Compact; and 16 10. Accept Licensees from other Member States as 17 established herein. 18 B. Member States may charge a fee for granting a license to 19 practice Cosmetology. 20 C. Individuals not residing in a Member State shall continue 21 to be able to apply for a Member State’s Single-State License as 22 provided under the laws of each Member State. However, the 23 Single-State License granted to these individuals shall not be 24 recognized as granting a Multistate License to provide services in 25 any other Member State. 26 D. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements 27 established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single-State 28 License. 29 E. A Multistate License issued to a Licensee by a Home State 30 to a resident of that State shall be recognized by each Member 31 State as authorizing a Licensee to practice Cosmetology in each 32 Member State. 33 F. At no point shall the Commission have the power to define 34 the educational or professional requirements for a license to 35 practice Cosmetology. The Member States shall retain sole 36 jurisdiction over the provision of these requirements. 37 38 ARTICLE 4. MULTISTATE LICENSE 39 40 A. To be eligible to apply to their Home State’s State 41 Licensing Authority for an initial Multistate License under this 42 Compact, a Licensee must hold an active and unencumbered 43 Single-State License to practice Cosmetology in their Home State. 44 – 7 – - *AB371* B. Upon the receipt of an application for a Multistate 1 License, according to the Rules of the Commission, a Member 2 State’s State Licensing Authority shall ascertain whether the 3 applicant meets the requirements for a Multistate License under 4 this Compact. 5 C. If an applicant meets the requirements for a Multistate 6 License under this Compact and any applicable Rules of the 7 Commission, the State Licensing Authority in receipt of the 8 application shall, within a reasonable time, grant a Multistate 9 License to that applicant, and inform all Member States of the 10 grant of said Multistate License. 11 D. A Multistate License to practice Cosmetology issued by a 12 Member State’s State Licensing Authority shall be recognized by 13 each Member State as authorizing the practice thereof as though 14 that Licensee held a Single-State License to do so in each Member 15 State, subject to the restrictions herein. 16 E. A Multistate License granted pursuant to this Compact 17 may be effective for a definite period of time, concurrent with the 18 licensure renewal period in the Home State. 19 F. To maintain a Multistate License under this Compact, a 20 Licensee must: 21 1. Agree to abide by the rules of the State Licensing 22 Authority, and the State scope of practice laws governing the 23 Practice of Cosmetology, of any Member State in which the 24 Licensee provides services; 25 2. Pay all required fees related to the application and 26 process, and any other fees which the Commission may by Rule 27 require; and 28 3. Comply with any and all other requirements regarding 29 Multistate Licenses which the Commission may by Rule provide. 30 G. A Licensee practicing in a Member State is subject to all 31 scope of practice laws governing Cosmetology Services in that 32 State. 33 H. The Practice of Cosmetology under a Multistate License 34 granted pursuant to this Compact will subject the Licensee to the 35 jurisdiction of the State Licensing Authority, the courts, and the 36 laws of the Member State in which the Cosmetology Services are 37 provided. 38 39 ARTICLE 5. REISSUANCE OF A MULTISTATE 40 LICENSE BY A NEW HOME STATE 41 42 A. A Licensee may hold a Multistate License, issued by their 43 Home State, in only one Member State at any given time. 44 – 8 – - *AB371* B. If a Licensee changes their Home State by moving 1 between two Member States: 2 1. The Licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance 3 of their Multistate License in their new Home State. The Licensee 4 shall pay all applicable fees and notify the prior Home State in 5 accordance with the Rules of the Commission. 6 2. Upon receipt of an application to reissue a Multistate 7 License, the new Home State shall verify that the Multistate 8 License is active, unencumbered and eligible for reissuance under 9 the terms of the Compact and the Rules of the Commission. The 10 Multistate License issued by the prior Home State will be 11 deactivated and all Member States notified in accordance with the 12 applicable Rules adopted by the Commission. 13 3. If required for initial licensure, the new Home State may 14 require a Background Check as specified in the laws of that State, 15 or the compliance with any Jurisprudence Requirements of the 16 new Home State. 17 4. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact, if 18 a Licensee does not meet the requirements set forth in this 19 Compact for the reissuance of a Multistate License by the new 20 Home State, then the Licensee shall be subject to the new Home 21 State requirements for the issuance of a Single-State License in 22 that State. 23 C. If a Licensee changes their primary state of residence by 24 moving from a Member State to a non-Member State, or from a 25 non-Member State to a Member State, then the Licensee shall be 26 subject to the State requirements for the issuance of a Single-State 27 License in the new Home State. 28 D. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a Licensee’s 29 ability to hold a Single-State License in multiple States; however, 30 for the purposes of this Compact, a Licensee shall have only one 31 Home State, and only one Multistate License. 32 E. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with the 33 requirements established by a Member State for the issuance of a 34 Single-State License. 35 36 ARTICLE 6. AUTHORITY OF THE COMPACT COMMISSION 37 AND MEMBER STATE LICENSING AUTHORITIES 38 39 A. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule or regulation of 40 the Commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way 41 reduce the ability of a Member State to enact and enforce laws, 42 regulations, or other rules related to the Practice of Cosmetology 43 in that State, where those laws, regulations, or other rules are not 44 inconsistent with the provisions of this Compact. 45 – 9 – - *AB371* B. Insofar as practical, a Member State’s State Licensing 1 Authority shall cooperate with the Commission and with each 2 entity exercising independent regulatory authority over the 3 Practice of Cosmetology according to the provisions of this 4 Compact. 5 C. Discipline shall be the sole responsibility of the State in 6 which Cosmetology Services are provided. Accordingly, each 7 Member State’s State Licensing Authority shall be responsible for 8 receiving complaints about individuals practicing Cosmetology in 9 that State, and for communicating all relevant Investigative 10 Information about any such Adverse Action to the other Member 11 States through the Data System in addition to any other methods 12 the Commission may by Rule require. 13 14 ARTICLE 7. ADVERSE ACTIONS 15 16 A. A Licensee’s Home State shall have exclusive power to 17 impose an Adverse Action against a Licensee’s Multistate License 18 issued by the Home State. 19 B. A Home State may take Adverse Action on a Multistate 20 License based on the Investigative Information, Current 21 Significant Investigative Information, or Adverse Action of a 22 Remote State. 23 C. In addition to the powers conferred by State law, each 24 Remote State’s State Licensing Authority shall have the power to: 25 1. Take Adverse Action against a Licensee’s Authorization 26 to Practice Cosmetology through the Multistate License in that 27 Member State, provided that: 28 a. Only the Licensee’s Home State shall have the power 29 to take Adverse Action against the Multistate License issued by the 30 Home State; and 31 b. For the purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Home 32 State’s State Licensing Authority shall give the same priority and 33 effect to reported conduct received from a Remote State as it 34 would if such conduct had occurred within the Home State. In so 35 doing, the Home State shall apply its own State laws to determine 36 the appropriate action. 37 2. Issue cease and desist orders or impose an Encumbrance 38 on a Licensee’s Authorization to Practice within that Member 39 State. 40 3. Complete any pending investigations of a Licensee who 41 changes their primary state of residence during the course of such 42 an investigation. The State Licensing Authority shall also be 43 empowered to report the results of such an investigation to the 44 Commission through the Data System as described herein. 45 – 10 – - *AB371* 4. Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations 1 that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses, as well as 2 the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a State Licensing 3 Authority in a Member State for the attendance and testimony of 4 witnesses or the production of evidence from another Member 5 State shall be enforced in the latter State by any court of 6 competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of 7 that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings before it. 8 The issuing State Licensing Authority shall pay any witness fees, 9 travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service 10 statutes of the State in which the witnesses or evidence are located. 11 5. If otherwise permitted by State law, recover from the 12 affected Licensee the costs of investigations and disposition of 13 cases resulting from any Adverse Action taken against that 14 Licensee. 15 6. Take Adverse Action against the Licensee’s 16 Authorization to Practice in that State based on the factual 17 findings of another Remote State. 18 D. A Licensee’s Home State shall complete any pending 19 investigation(s) of a Cosmetologist who changes their primary 20 state of residence during the course of the investigation(s). The 21 Home State shall also have the authority to take appropriate 22 action(s) and shall promptly report the conclusions of the 23 investigations to the Data System. 24 E. If an Adverse Action is taken by the Home State against a 25 Licensee’s Multistate License, the Licensee’s Authorization to 26 Practice in all other Member States shall be deactivated until all 27 Encumbrances have been removed from the Home State license. 28 All Home State disciplinary orders that impose an Adverse Action 29 against a Licensee’s Multistate License shall include a statement 30 that the Cosmetologist’s Authorization to Practice is deactivated in 31 all Member States during the pendency of the order. 32 F. Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State’s 33 authority to accept a Licensee’s participation in an Alternative 34 Program in lieu of Adverse Action. A Licensee’s Multistate 35 License shall be suspended for the duration of the Licensee’s 36 participation in any Alternative Program. 37 G. Joint Investigations 38 1. In addition to the authority granted to a Member State by 39 its respective scope of practice laws or other applicable State law, a 40 Member State may participate with other Member States in joint 41 investigations of Licensees. 42 2. Member States shall share any investigative, litigation, or 43 compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual 44 investigation initiated under the Compact. 45 – 11 – - *AB371* ARTICLE 8. ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS 1 AND THEIR SPOUSES 2 3 Active Military Members, or their spouses, shall designate a 4 Home State where the individual has a current license to practice 5 Cosmetology in good standing. The individual may retain their 6 Home State designation during any period of service when that 7 individual or their spouse is on active duty assignment. 8 9 ARTICLE 9. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE 10 COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE C OMPACT COMMISSION 11 12 A. The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a 13 joint government agency whose membership consists of all 14 Member States that have enacted the Compact known as the 15 Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission. The Commission is 16 an instrumentality of the Compact Member States acting jointly 17 and not an instrumentality of any one State. The Commission 18 shall come into existence on or after the effective date of the 19 Compact as set forth in Article 13. 20 B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings 21 1. Each Member State shall have and be limited to one (1) 22 delegate selected by that Member State’s State Licensing 23 Authority. 24 2. The delegate shall be an administrator of the State 25 Licensing Authority of the Member State or their designee. 26 3. The Commission shall by Rule or bylaw establish a term 27 of office for delegates and may by Rule or bylaw establish term 28 limits. 29 4. The Commission may recommend removal or suspension 30 of any delegate from office. 31 5. A Member State’s State Licensing Authority shall fill any 32 vacancy of its delegate occurring on the Commission within 60 33 days of the vacancy. 34 6. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all matters 35 that are voted on by the Commission. 36 7. The Commission shall meet at least once during each 37 calendar year. Additional meetings may be held as set forth in the 38 bylaws. The Commission may meet by telecommunication, video 39 conference or other similar electronic means. 40 C. The Commission shall have the following powers: 41 1. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission; 42 2. Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest 43 policies; 44 3. Adopt Rules and bylaws; 45 – 12 – - *AB371* 4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the 1 bylaws; 2 5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the 3 provisions of this Compact, the Commission’s Rules, and the 4 bylaws; 5 6. Initiate and conclude legal proceedings or actions in the 6 name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any State 7 Licensing Authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall 8 not be affected; 9 7. Maintain and certify records and information provided to 10 a Member State as the authenticated business records of the 11 Commission, and designate an agent to do so on the Commission’s 12 behalf; 13 8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds; 14 9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, 15 including, but not limited to, employees of a Member State; 16 10. Conduct an annual financial review; 17 11. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix 18 compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate 19 authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and establish 20 the Commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to 21 conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related 22 personnel matters; 23 12. As set forth in the Commission Rules, charge a fee to a 24 Licensee for the grant of a Multistate License and thereafter, as 25 may be established by Commission Rule, charge the Licensee a 26 Multistate License renewal fee for each renewal period. Nothing 27 herein shall be construed to prevent a Home State from charging 28 a Licensee a fee for a Multistate License or renewals of a 29 Multistate License, or a fee for the jurisprudence requirement if 30 the Member State imposes such a requirement for the grant of a 31 Multistate License; 32 13. Assess and collect fees; 33 14. Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants 34 of money, other sources of revenue, equipment, supplies, 35 materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the 36 same; provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any 37 appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest; 38 15. Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use any 39 property, real, personal, or mixed, or any undivided interest 40 therein; 41 16. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, 42 abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or 43 mixed; 44 17. Establish a budget and make expenditures; 45 – 13 – - *AB371* 18. Borrow money; 1 19. Appoint committees, including standing committees, 2 composed of members, State regulators, State legislators or their 3 representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other 4 interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the 5 bylaws; 6 20. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate 7 with, law enforcement agencies; 8 21. Elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and 9 such other officers of the Commission as provided in the 10 Commission’s bylaws; 11 22. Establish and elect an Executive Committee, including 12 a chair and a vice chair; 13 23. Adopt and provide to the Member States an annual 14 report; 15 24. Determine whether a State’s adopted language is 16 materially different from the model Compact language such that 17 the State would not qualify for participation in the Compact; and 18 25. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or 19 appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact. 20 D. The Executive Committee 21 1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on 22 behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Compact. 23 The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Executive 24 Committee shall include: 25 a. Overseeing the day-to-day activities of the 26 administration of the Compact including compliance with the 27 provisions of the Compact, the Commission’s Rules and bylaws, 28 and other such duties as deemed necessary; 29 b. Recommending to the Commission changes to the 30 Rules or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees charged 31 to Compact Member States, fees charged to Licensees, and other 32 fees; 33 c. Ensuring Compact administration services are 34 appropriately provided, including by contract; 35 d. Preparing and recommending the budget; 36 e. Maintaining financial records on behalf of the 37 Commission; 38 f. Monitoring Compact compliance of Member States 39 and providing compliance reports to the Commission; 40 g. Establishing additional committees as necessary; 41 h. Exercising the powers and duties of the Commission 42 during the interim between Commission meetings, except for 43 adopting or amending Rules, adopting or amending bylaws, and 44 – 14 – - *AB371* exercising any other powers and duties expressly reserved to the 1 Commission by Rule or bylaw; and 2 i. Other duties as provided in the Rules or bylaws of the 3 Commission. 4 2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to 5 seven voting members: 6 a. The chair and vice chair of the Commission and any 7 other members of the Commission who serve on the Executive 8 Committee shall be voting members of the Executive Committee; 9 b. Other than the chair, vice-chair, secretary and 10 treasurer, the Commission shall elect three voting members from 11 the current membership of the Commission; and 12 c. The Commission may elect ex-officio, nonvoting 13 members from a recognized national Cosmetology professional 14 association as approved by the Commission. The Commission’s 15 bylaws shall identify qualifying organizations and the manner of 16 appointment if the number of organizations seeking to appoint an 17 ex officio member exceeds the number of members specified in 18 this Article. 19 3. The Commission may remove any member of the 20 Executive Committee as provided in the Commission’s bylaws. 21 4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually. 22 a. Annual Executive Committee meetings, as well as any 23 Executive Committee meeting at which it does not take or intend 24 to take formal action on a matter for which a Commission vote 25 would otherwise be required, shall be open to the public, except 26 that the Executive Committee may meet in a closed, non-public 27 session of a public meeting when dealing with any of the matters 28 covered under Article 9.F.4. 29 b. The Executive Committee shall give five business 30 days advance notice of its public meetings, posted on its website 31 and as determined to provide notice to persons with an interest in 32 the public matters the Executive Committee intends to address at 33 those meetings. 34 5. The Executive Committee may hold an emergency 35 meeting when acting for the Commission to: 36 a. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or 37 welfare; 38 b. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds; 39 or 40 c. Protect public health and safety. 41 E. The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member 42 States an annual report. 43 F. Meetings of the Commission 44 – 15 – - *AB371* 1. All meetings of the Commission that are not closed 1 pursuant to Article 9.F.4 shall be open to the public. Notice of 2 public meetings shall be posted on the Commission’s website at 3 least thirty (30) days prior to the public meeting. 4 2. Notwithstanding Article 9.F.1, the Commission may 5 convene an emergency public meeting by providing at least 6 twenty-four (24) hours prior notice on the Commission’s website, 7 and any other means as provided in the Commission’s Rules, for 8 any of the reasons it may dispense with notice of proposed 9 rulemaking under Article 11.L. The Commission’s legal counsel 10 shall certify that one of the reasons justifying an emergency public 11 meeting has been met. 12 3. Notice of all Commission meetings shall provide the 13 time, date, and location of the meeting, and if the meeting is to be 14 held or accessible via telecommunication, video conference, or 15 other electronic means, the notice shall include the mechanism for 16 access to the meeting. 17 4. The Commission may convene in a closed, non-public 18 meeting for the Commission to discuss: 19 a. Non-compliance of a Member State with its 20 obligations under the Compact; 21 b. The employment, compensation, discipline or other 22 matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or 23 other matters related to the Commission’s internal personnel 24 practices and procedures; 25 c. Current or threatened discipline of a Licensee by the 26 Commission or by a Member State’s Licensing Authority; 27 d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated 28 litigation; 29 e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or 30 sale of goods, services, or real estate; 31 f. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring 32 any person; 33 g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information 34 that is privileged or confidential; 35 h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure 36 would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal 37 privacy; 38 i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement 39 purposes; 40 j. Information related to any investigative reports 41 prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other 42 committee charged with responsibility of investigation or 43 determination of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact; 44 k. Legal advice; 45 – 16 – - *AB371* l. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure to the 1 public by federal or Member State law; or 2 m. Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by 3 Rule. 4 5. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the 5 presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed and 6 reference each relevant exempting provision, and such reference 7 shall be recorded in the minutes. 8 6. The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and 9 clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall 10 provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the 11 reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. 12 All documents considered in connection with an action shall be 13 identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed 14 meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a 15 majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent 16 jurisdiction. 17 G. Financing of the Commission 18 1. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment 19 of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and 20 ongoing activities. 21 2. The Commission may accept any and all appropriate 22 sources of revenue, donations, and grants of money, equipment, 23 supplies, materials, and services. 24 3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual 25 assessment from each Member State and impose fees on Licensees 26 of Member States to whom it grants a Multistate License to cover 27 the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission and its 28 staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its 29 annual budget as approved each year for which revenue is not 30 provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment 31 amount for Member States shall be allocated based upon a 32 formula that the Commission shall promulgate by Rule. 33 4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind 34 prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall 35 the Commission pledge the credit of any Member States, except by 36 and with the authority of the Member State. 37 5. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all 38 receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the 39 Commission shall be subject to the financial review and 40 accounting procedures established under its bylaws. All receipts 41 and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be 42 subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed 43 public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be 44 – 17 – - *AB371* included in and become part of the annual report of the 1 Commission. 2 H. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification 3 1. The members, officers, executive director, employees and 4 representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and 5 liability, both personally and in their official capacity, for any 6 claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other 7 civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, 8 error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom 9 the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred 10 within the scope of Commission employment, duties or 11 responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be 12 construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any 13 damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or 14 willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The procurement of 15 insurance of any type by the Commission shall not in any way 16 compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder. 17 2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, 18 executive director, employee, and representative of the 19 Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising 20 out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred 21 within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or 22 responsibilities, or as determined by the Commission that the 23 person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for 24 believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, 25 duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be 26 construed to prohibit that person from retaining their own counsel 27 at their own expense; and provided further, that the actual or 28 alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person’s 29 intentional or willful or wanton misconduct. 30 3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any 31 member, officer, executive director, employee, and representative 32 of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment 33 obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged 34 act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of 35 Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such 36 person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the 37 scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, 38 provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not 39 result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that 40 person. 41 4. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the 42 liability of any Licensee for professional malpractice or 43 misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other 44 applicable State laws. 45 – 18 – - *AB371* 5. Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive or 1 otherwise abrogate a Member State’s State action immunity or 2 State action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust claims 3 under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other State or federal 4 antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation. 5 6. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a 6 waiver of sovereign immunity by the Member States or by the 7 Commission. 8 9 ARTICLE 10. DATA SYSTEM 10 11 A. The Commission shall provide for the development, 12 maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated database 13 and reporting system. 14 B. The Commission shall assign each applicant for a 15 Multistate License a unique identifier, as determined by the Rules 16 of the Commission. 17 C. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the 18 contrary, a Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the 19 Data System on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable 20 as required by the Rules of the Commission, including: 21 1. Identifying information; 22 2. Licensure data; 23 3. Adverse Actions against a license and information 24 related thereto; 25 4. Non-confidential information related to Alternative 26 Program participation, the beginning and ending dates of such 27 participation, and other information related to such participation; 28 5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) 29 for such denial (excluding the reporting of any criminal history 30 record information where prohibited by law); 31 6. The existence of Investigative Information; 32 7. The existence of Current Significant Investigative 33 Information; and 34 8. Other information that may facilitate the administration 35 of this Compact or the protection of the public, as determined by 36 the Rules of the Commission. 37 D. The records and information provided to a Member State 38 pursuant to this Compact or through the Data System, when 39 certified by the Commission or an agent thereof, shall constitute 40 the authenticated business records of the Commission, and shall 41 be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any relevant 42 judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings in a Member 43 State. 44 – 19 – - *AB371* E. The existence of Current Significant Investigative 1 Information and the existence of Investigative Information 2 pertaining to a Licensee in any Member State will only be 3 available to other Member States. 4 F. It is the responsibility of the Member States to monitor the 5 database to determine whether Adverse Action has been taken 6 against such a Licensee or License applicant. Adverse Action 7 information pertaining to a Licensee or License applicant in any 8 Member State will be available to any other Member State. 9 G. Member States contributing information to the Data 10 System may designate information that may not be shared with the 11 public without the express permission of the contributing State. 12 H. Any information submitted to the Data System that is 13 subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the 14 Member State contributing the information shall be removed from 15 the Data System. 16 17 ARTICLE 11. RULEMAKING 18 19 A. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in 20 order to effectively and efficiently implement and administer the 21 purposes and provisions of the Compact. A Rule shall be invalid 22 and have no force or effect only if a court of competent 23 jurisdiction holds that the Rule is invalid because the Commission 24 exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the 25 scope and purposes of the Compact, or the powers granted 26 hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of review. 27 B. The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law 28 in each Member State, provided however that where the Rules of 29 the Commission conflict with the laws of the Member State that 30 establish the Member State’s scope of practice laws governing the 31 Practice of Cosmetology as held by a court of competent 32 jurisdiction, the Rules of the Commission shall be ineffective in 33 that State to the extent of the conflict. 34 C. The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers 35 pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Article and the Rules 36 adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding as of the date 37 specified by the Commission for each Rule. 38 D. If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States 39 rejects a Rule or portion of a Rule, by enactment of a statute or 40 resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact within 41 four (4) years of the date of adoption of the Rule, then such Rule 42 shall have no further force and effect in any Member State or to 43 any State applying to participate in the Compact. 44 – 20 – - *AB371* E. Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of 1 the Commission. 2 F. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission 3 shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral and 4 written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments. 5 G. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule by the Commission, 6 and at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which the 7 Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Rule, the 8 Commission shall provide a notice of proposed rulemaking: 9 1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly 10 accessible platform; 11 2. To persons who have requested notice of the 12 Commission’s notices of proposed rulemaking; and 13 3. In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule 14 specify. 15 H. The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include: 16 1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing at 17 which the Commission will hear public comments on the proposed 18 Rule and, if different, the time, date, and location of the meeting 19 where the Commission will consider and vote on the proposed 20 Rule; 21 2. If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video 22 conference, or other electronic means, the Commission shall 23 include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the notice of 24 proposed rulemaking; 25 3. The text of the proposed Rule and the reason therefor; 26 4. A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any 27 interested person; and 28 5. The manner in which interested persons may submit 29 written comments. 30 I. All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and 31 all written comments and documents received by the Commission 32 in response to the proposed Rule shall be available to the public. 33 J. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as requiring a 34 separate hearing on each Rule. Rules may be grouped for the 35 convenience of the Commission at hearings required by this 36 Article. 37 K. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, 38 take final action on the proposed Rule based on the rulemaking 39 record and the full text of the Rule. 40 1. The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed 41 Rule provided the changes do not enlarge the original purpose of 42 the proposed Rule. 43 2. The Commission shall provide an explanation of the 44 reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed Rule as well 45 – 21 – - *AB371* as reasons for substantive changes not made that were 1 recommended by commenters. 2 3. The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective 3 date for the Rule. Except for an emergency as provided in Article 4 11.L, the effective date of the Rule shall be no sooner than forty-5 five (45) days after the Commission issuing the notice that it 6 adopted or amended the Rule. 7 L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the 8 Commission may consider and adopt an emergency Rule with five 9 (5) days’ notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the 10 usual rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this 11 Article shall be retroactively applied to the Rule as soon as 12 reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after 13 the effective date of the Rule. For the purposes of this provision, 14 an emergency Rule is one that must be adopted immediately to: 15 1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or 16 welfare; 17 2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds; 18 3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Rule that is 19 established by federal law or rule; or 20 4. Protect public health and safety. 21 M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the 22 Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted Rule for 23 purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, 24 errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any 25 revisions shall be posted on the website of the Commission. The 26 revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of 27 thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only 28 on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a 29 Rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the 30 Commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge 31 is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the 32 revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the 33 approval of the Commission. 34 N. No Member State’s rulemaking requirements shall apply 35 under this Compact. 36 37 ARTICLE 12. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, 38 AND ENFORCEMENT 39 40 A. Oversight 41 1. The executive and judicial branches of State government 42 in each Member State shall enforce this Compact and take all 43 actions necessary and appropriate to implement the Compact. 44 – 22 – - *AB371* 2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against 1 the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court 2 of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the 3 Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and 4 jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to 5 participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing 6 herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in 7 any action against a Licensee for professional malpractice, 8 misconduct or any such similar matter. 9 3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of 10 process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or 11 interpretation of the Compact and shall have standing to intervene 12 in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the 13 Commission service of process shall render a judgment or order 14 void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated Rules. 15 B. Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination 16 1. If the Commission determines that a Member State has 17 defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities 18 under this Compact or the promulgated Rules, the Commission 19 shall provide written notice to the defaulting State. The notice of 20 default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing 21 the default, and any other action that the Commission may take, 22 and shall offer training and specific technical assistance 23 regarding the default. 24 2. The Commission shall provide a copy of the notice of 25 default to the other Member States. 26 3. If a State in default fails to cure the default, the 27 defaulting State may be terminated from the Compact upon an 28 affirmative vote of a majority of the delegates of the Member 29 States, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that 30 State by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of 31 termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending 32 State of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of 33 default. 34 4. Termination of membership in the Compact shall be 35 imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have 36 been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be 37 given by the Commission to the governor, the majority and 38 minority leaders of the defaulting State’s legislature, the 39 defaulting State’s State Licensing Authority and each of the 40 Member States’ State Licensing Authority. 41 5. A State that has been terminated is responsible for all 42 assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the 43 effective date of termination, including obligations that extend 44 beyond the effective date of termination. 45 – 23 – - *AB371* 6. Upon the termination of a State’s membership from this 1 Compact, that State shall immediately provide notice to all 2 Licensees who hold a Multistate License within that State of such 3 termination. The terminated State shall continue to recognize all 4 licenses granted pursuant to this Compact for a minimum of one 5 hundred eighty (180) days after the date of said notice of 6 termination. 7 7. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a 8 State that is found to be in default or that has been terminated 9 from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the 10 Commission and the defaulting State. 11 8. The defaulting State may appeal the action of the 12 Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the 13 District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission 14 has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all 15 costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. 16 C. Dispute Resolution 17 1. Upon request by a Member State, the Commission shall 18 attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise 19 among Member States and between Member and non-Member 20 States. 21 2. The Commission shall promulgate a Rule providing for 22 both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as 23 appropriate. 24 D. Enforcement 25 1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its 26 discretion, shall enforce the provisions of this Compact and the 27 Commission’s Rules. 28 2. By majority vote as provided by Commission Rule, the 29 Commission may initiate legal action against a Member State in 30 default in the United States District Court for the District of 31 Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its 32 principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the 33 Compact and its promulgated Rules. The relief sought may 34 include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial 35 enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all 36 costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. The 37 remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the 38 Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies 39 available under federal or the defaulting Member State’s law. 40 3. A Member State may initiate legal action against the 41 Commission in the United States District Court for the District of 42 Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its 43 principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the 44 Compact and its promulgated Rules. The relief sought may 45 – 24 – - *AB371* include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial 1 enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all 2 costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. 3 4. No individual or entity other than a Member State may 4 enforce this Compact against the Commission. 5 6 ARTICLE 13. EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL, 7 AND AMENDMENT 8 9 A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which 10 the Compact statute is enacted into law in the seventh Member 11 State. 12 1. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the 13 Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of 14 the Charter Member States to determine if the statute enacted by 15 each such Charter Member State is materially different than the 16 model Compact statute. 17 a. A Charter Member State whose enactment is found to 18 be materially different from the model Compact statute shall be 19 entitled to the default process set forth in Article 12. 20 b. If any Member State is later found to be in default, or 21 is terminated or withdraws from the Compact, the Commission 22 shall remain in existence and the Compact shall remain in effect 23 even if the number of Member States should be less than 24 seven (7). 25 2. Member States enacting the Compact subsequent to the 26 Charter Member States shall be subject to the process set forth in 27 Article 9.C.24 to determine if their enactments are materially 28 different from the model Compact statute and whether they qualify 29 for participation in the Compact. 30 3. All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in 31 furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the Compact 32 prior to the effective date of the Compact or the Commission 33 coming into existence shall be considered to be actions of the 34 Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission. 35 4. Any State that joins the Compact shall be subject to the 36 Commission’s Rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which 37 the Compact becomes law in that State. Any Rule that has been 38 previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force 39 and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that 40 State. 41 B. Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by 42 enacting a statute repealing that State’s enactment of the 43 Compact. 44 – 25 – - *AB371* 1. A Member State’s withdrawal shall not take effect until 1 one hundred eighty (180) days after enactment of the repealing 2 statute. 3 2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement 4 of the withdrawing State’s State Licensing Authority to comply 5 with the investigative and Adverse Action reporting requirements 6 of this Compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 7 3. Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from this 8 Compact, a State shall immediately provide notice of such 9 withdrawal to all Licensees within that State. Notwithstanding any 10 subsequent statutory enactment to the contrary, such withdrawing 11 State shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to 12 this Compact for a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days 13 after the date of such notice of withdrawal. 14 C. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to 15 invalidate or prevent any licensure agreement or other cooperative 16 arrangement between a Member State and a non-Member State 17 that does not conflict with the provisions of this Compact. 18 D. This Compact may be amended by the Member States. No 19 amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding 20 upon any Member State until it is enacted into the laws of all 21 Member States. 22 23 ARTICLE 14. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY 24 25 A. This Compact and the Commission’s rulemaking authority 26 shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and 27 the implementation and administration of the Compact. Provisions 28 of the Compact expressly authorizing or requiring the 29 promulgation of Rules shall not be construed to limit the 30 Commission’s rulemaking authority solely for those purposes. 31 B. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if 32 any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this Compact is held 33 by a court of competent jurisdiction to be contrary to the 34 constitution of any Member State, a State seeking participation in 35 the Compact, or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to 36 any government, agency, person or circumstance is held to be 37 unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity 38 of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to 39 any other government, agency, person or circumstance shall not 40 be affected thereby. 41 C. Notwithstanding Article 14.B, the Commission may deny a 42 State’s participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the 43 requirements of Article 12, terminate a Member State’s 44 participation in the Compact, if it determines that a constitutional 45 – 26 – - *AB371* requirement of a Member State is a material departure from the 1 Compact. Otherwise, if this Compact shall be held to be contrary 2 to the constitution of any Member State, the Compact shall remain 3 in full force and effect as to the remaining Member States and in 4 full force and effect as to the Member State affected as to all 5 severable matters. 6 7 ARTICLE 15. CONSISTENT EFFECT AND 8 CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS 9 10 A. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of 11 any other law of a Member State that is not inconsistent with the 12 Compact. 13 B. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements 14 in a Member State in conflict with the Compact are superseded to 15 the extent of the conflict. 16 C. All permissible agreements between the Commission and 17 the Member States are binding in accordance with their terms. 18 Sec. 2. NRS 644A.870 is hereby amended to read as follows: 19 644A.870 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and 20 NRS 239.0115, and section 1 of this act, a complaint filed with the 21 Board, all documents and other information filed with the complaint 22 and all documents and other information compiled as a result of an 23 investigation conducted to determine whether to initiate disciplinary 24 action against a person are confidential. 25 2. The charging document filed with the Board to initiate 26 disciplinary action pursuant to chapter 622A of NRS and all 27 documents and information considered by the Board when 28 determining whether to impose discipline are public records. 29 3. The Board shall, to the extent feasible, communicate or 30 cooperate with or provide any documents or other information to 31 any other licensing board or any other agency that is investigating a 32 person, including, without limitation, a law enforcement agency. 33 Sec. 3. The preliminary chapter of NRS is hereby amended by 34 adding thereto a new section to read as follows: 35 Except as otherwise expressly provided in a particular statute 36 or required by the context, authorization to practice as a 37 cosmetologist in this State under a multistate license issued under 38 the Cosmetology Licensure Compact ratified and entered into in 39 section 1 of this act shall be deemed to be equivalent to the 40 corresponding license. 41 Sec. 4. NRS 239.010 is hereby amended to read as follows: 42 239.010 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section and 43 NRS 1.4683, 1.4687, 1A.110, 3.2203, 41.0397, 41.071, 49.095, 44 49.293, 62D.420, 62D.440, 62E.516, 62E.620, 62H.025, 62H.030, 45 – 27 – - *AB371* 62H.170, 62H.220, 62H.320, 75A.100, 75A.150, 76.160, 78.152, 1 80.113, 81.850, 82.183, 86.246, 86.54615, 87.515, 87.5413, 2 87A.200, 87A.580, 87A.640, 88.3355, 88.5927, 88.6067, 88A.345, 3 88A.7345, 89.045, 89.251, 90.730, 91.160, 116.757, 116A.270, 4 116B.880, 118B.026, 119.260, 119.265, 119.267, 119.280, 5 119A.280, 119A.653, 119A.677, 119B.370, 119B.382, 120A.640, 6 120A.690, 125.130, 125B.140, 126.141, 126.161, 126.163, 126.730, 7 127.007, 127.057, 127.130, 127.140, 127.2817, 128.090, 130.312, 8 130.712, 136.050, 159.044, 159A.044, 164.041, 172.075, 172.245, 9 176.01334, 176.01385, 176.015, 176.0625, 176.09129, 176.156, 10 176A.630, 178.39801, 178.4715, 178.5691, 178.5717, 179.495, 11 179A.070, 179A.165, 179D.160, 180.600, 200.3771, 200.3772, 12 200.5095, 200.604, 202.3662, 205.4651, 209.392, 209.3923, 13 209.3925, 209.419, 209.429, 209.521, 211A.140, 213.010, 213.040, 14 213.095, 213.131, 217.105, 217.110, 217.464, 217.475, 218A.350, 15 218E.625, 218F.150, 218G.130, 218G.240, 218G.350, 218G.615, 16 224.240, 226.462, 226.796, 228.270, 228.450, 228.495, 228.570, 17 231.069, 231.1285, 231.1473, 232.1369, 233.190, 237.300, 18 239.0105, 239.0113, 239.014, 239B.026, 239B.030, 239B.040, 19 239B.050, 239C.140, 239C.210, 239C.230, 239C.250, 239C.270, 20 239C.420, 240.007, 241.020, 241.030, 241.039, 242.105, 244.264, 21 244.335, 247.540, 247.545, 247.550, 247.560, 250.087, 250.130, 22 250.140, 250.145, 250.150, 268.095, 268.0978, 268.490, 268.910, 23 269.174, 271A.105, 281.195, 281.805, 281A.350, 281A.680, 24 281A.685, 281A.750, 281A.755, 281A.780, 284.4068, 284.4086, 25 286.110, 286.118, 287.0438, 289.025, 289.080, 289.387, 289.830, 26 293.4855, 293.5002, 293.503, 293.504, 293.558, 293.5757, 293.870, 27 293.906, 293.908, 293.909, 293.910, 293B.135, 293D.510, 331.110, 28 332.061, 332.351, 333.333, 333.335, 338.070, 338.1379, 338.1593, 29 338.1725, 338.1727, 348.420, 349.597, 349.775, 353.205, 30 353A.049, 353A.085, 353A.100, 353C.240, 353D.250, 360.240, 31 360.247, 360.255, 360.755, 361.044, 361.2242, 361.610, 365.138, 32 366.160, 368A.180, 370.257, 370.327, 372A.080, 378.290, 378.300, 33 379.0075, 379.008, 379.1495, 385A.830, 385B.100, 387.626, 34 387.631, 388.1455, 388.259, 388.501, 388.503, 388.513, 388.750, 35 388A.247, 388A.249, 391.033, 391.035, 391.0365, 391.120, 36 391.925, 392.029, 392.147, 392.264, 392.271, 392.315, 392.317, 37 392.325, 392.327, 392.335, 392.850, 393.045, 394.167, 394.16975, 38 394.1698, 394.447, 394.460, 394.465, 396.1415, 396.1425, 396.143, 39 396.159, 396.3295, 396.405, 396.525, 396.535, 396.9685, 40 398A.115, 408.3885, 408.3886, 408.3888, 408.5484, 412.153, 41 414.280, 416.070, 422.2749, 422.305, 422A.342, 422A.350, 42 425.400, 427A.1236, 427A.872, 427A.940, 432.028, 432.205, 43 432B.175, 432B.280, 432B.290, 432B.4018, 432B.407, 432B.430, 44 432B.560, 432B.5902, 432C.140, 432C.150, 433.534, 433A.360, 45 – 28 – - *AB371* 439.4941, 439.4988, 439.5282, 439.840, 439.914, 439A.116, 1 439A.124, 439B.420, 439B.754, 439B.760, 439B.845, 440.170, 2 441A.195, 441A.220, 441A.230, 442.330, 442.395, 442.735, 3 442.774, 445A.665, 445B.570, 445B.7773, 449.209, 449.245, 4 449.4315, 449A.112, 450.140, 450B.188, 450B.805, 453.164, 5 453.720, 458.055, 458.280, 459.050, 459.3866, 459.555, 459.7056, 6 459.846, 463.120, 463.15993, 463.240, 463.3403, 463.3407, 7 463.790, 467.1005, 480.535, 480.545, 480.935, 480.940, 481.063, 8 481.091, 481.093, 482.170, 482.368, 482.5536, 483.340, 483.363, 9 483.575, 483.659, 483.800, 484A.469, 484B.830, 484B.833, 10 484E.070, 485.316, 501.344, 503.452, 522.040, 534A.031, 561.285, 11 571.160, 584.655, 587.877, 598.0964, 598.098, 598A.110, 12 598A.420, 599B.090, 603.070, 603A.210, 604A.303, 604A.710, 13 604D.500, 604D.600, 612.265, 616B.012, 616B.015, 616B.315, 14 616B.350, 618.341, 618.425, 622.238, 622.310, 623.131, 623A.137, 15 624.110, 624.265, 624.327, 625.425, 625A.185, 628.418, 628B.230, 16 628B.760, 629.043, 629.047, 629.069, 630.133, 630.2671, 17 630.2672, 630.2673, 630.2687, 630.30665, 630.336, 630A.327, 18 630A.555, 631.332, 631.368, 632.121, 632.125, 632.3415, 19 632.3423, 632.405, 633.283, 633.301, 633.427, 633.4715, 633.4716, 20 633.4717, 633.524, 634.055, 634.1303, 634.214, 634A.169, 21 634A.185, 634B.730, 635.111, 635.158, 636.262, 636.342, 637.085, 22 637.145, 637B.192, 637B.288, 638.087, 638.089, 639.183, 23 639.2485, 639.570, 640.075, 640.152, 640A.185, 640A.220, 24 640B.405, 640B.730, 640C.580, 640C.600, 640C.620, 640C.745, 25 640C.760, 640D.135, 640D.190, 640E.225, 640E.340, 641.090, 26 641.221, 641.2215, 641A.191, 641A.217, 641A.262, 641B.170, 27 641B.281, 641B.282, 641C.455, 641C.760, 641D.260, 641D.320, 28 642.524, 643.189, 644A.870, 645.180, 645.625, 645A.050, 29 645A.082, 645B.060, 645B.092, 645C.220, 645C.225, 645D.130, 30 645D.135, 645G.510, 645H.320, 645H.330, 647.0945, 647.0947, 31 648.033, 648.197, 649.065, 649.067, 652.126, 652.228, 653.900, 32 654.110, 656.105, 657A.510, 661.115, 665.130, 665.133, 669.275, 33 669.285, 669A.310, 670B.680, 671.365, 671.415, 673.450, 673.480, 34 675.380, 676A.340, 676A.370, 677.243, 678A.470, 678C.710, 35 678C.800, 679B.122, 679B.124, 679B.152, 679B.159, 679B.190, 36 679B.285, 679B.690, 680A.270, 681A.440, 681B.260, 681B.410, 37 681B.540, 683A.0873, 685A.077, 686A.289, 686B.170, 686C.306, 38 687A.060, 687A.115, 687B.404, 687C.010, 688C.230, 688C.480, 39 688C.490, 689A.696, 692A.117, 692C.190, 692C.3507, 692C.3536, 40 692C.3538, 692C.354, 692C.420, 693A.480, 693A.615, 696B.550, 41 696C.120, 703.196, 704B.325, 706.1725, 706A.230, 710.159, 42 711.600, and section 1 of this act, sections 35, 38 and 41 of chapter 43 478, Statutes of Nevada 2011 and section 2 of chapter 391, Statutes 44 of Nevada 2013 and unless otherwise declared by law to be 45 – 29 – - *AB371* confidential, all public books and public records of a governmental 1 entity must be open at all times during office hours to inspection by 2 any person, and may be fully copied or an abstract or memorandum 3 may be prepared from those public books and public records. Any 4 such copies, abstracts or memoranda may be used to supply the 5 general public with copies, abstracts or memoranda of the records or 6 may be used in any other way to the advantage of the governmental 7 entity or of the general public. This section does not supersede or in 8 any manner affect the federal laws governing copyrights or enlarge, 9 diminish or affect in any other manner the rights of a person in any 10 written book or record which is copyrighted pursuant to federal law. 11 2. A governmental entity may not reject a book or record 12 which is copyrighted solely because it is copyrighted. 13 3. A governmental entity that has legal custody or control of a 14 public book or record shall not deny a request made pursuant to 15 subsection 1 to inspect or copy or receive a copy of a public book or 16 record on the basis that the requested public book or record contains 17 information that is confidential if the governmental entity can 18 redact, delete, conceal or separate, including, without limitation, 19 electronically, the confidential information from the information 20 included in the public book or record that is not otherwise 21 confidential. 22 4. If requested, a governmental entity shall provide a copy of a 23 public record in an electronic format by means of an electronic 24 medium. Nothing in this subsection requires a governmental entity 25 to provide a copy of a public record in an electronic format or by 26 means of an electronic medium if: 27 (a) The public record: 28 (1) Was not created or prepared in an electronic format; and 29 (2) Is not available in an electronic format; or 30 (b) Providing the public record in an electronic format or by 31 means of an electronic medium would: 32 (1) Give access to proprietary software; or 33 (2) Require the production of information that is confidential 34 and that cannot be redacted, deleted, concealed or separated from 35 information that is not otherwise confidential. 36 5. An officer, employee or agent of a governmental entity who 37 has legal custody or control of a public record: 38 (a) Shall not refuse to provide a copy of that public record in the 39 medium that is requested because the officer, employee or agent has 40 already prepared or would prefer to provide the copy in a different 41 medium. 42 (b) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 239.030, shall, upon 43 request, prepare the copy of the public record and shall not require 44 – 30 – - *AB371* the person who has requested the copy to prepare the copy himself 1 or herself. 2 Sec. 5. 1. This section becomes effective upon passage and 3 approval. 4 2. Sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act become effective: 5 (a) Upon passage and approval for the purpose of adopting any 6 regulations and performing any other preparatory administrative 7 tasks that are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act; and 8 (b) On October 1, 2025, for all other purposes. 9 H