Req. No. 560 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023) SENATE BILL 361 By: Pugh AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to teachers; creating the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Act; provi ding short title; providing purpose; defining terms ; providing applicability; requiring compact member states to compile and update list of certain licenses; providing for the granting of certain licensure or certification; providing certain construction; allowing a member state to make certain requirement s; providing process for certain teacher to receive a license or certification; authorizing member states to provide certain information; providing for creation of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission; providing for membership; providing frequency of meetings; providing for terms of office; providing for powers and duties; providing for an executive committee of the Commission; providing for membership; providing for frequency of meetings; providing powers and duties; providing for payment o f certain expenses; allowing the Commission to collect certain annual assessment or impose fees; providing immunity from liability for certain individuals associated with the Commission; providing for defens e against certain civil actions; providing for promulgation of Commission rules; providing for enforcement of the compact; directing the Commission to take certain actions upon determination of default of a member state; providing for enactment o f compact; providing for severability; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency . Req. No. 560 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codif ied in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6-190.3 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows: A. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Act ”. The purpose of the Inter state Teacher Mobility Compact shall be to facilitate the mobility of teachers through a collective regulatory framework amongst member states to expedite and enhance the ability of teachers to mov e across state lines. B. As used in this act: 1. “Active military member” means any person with full-time duty status in the uniformed service of the United States including members of the National Guard and Reserve; 2. “Adverse action” means any limitation or restriction imposed by a member state’s licensing authority, such as revocation, suspension, reprimand, probation, or limitation on the licensee ’s ability to work as a teacher; 3. “Bylaws” means those bylaws established by the Commission; 4. “Career and technical education license ” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state’s licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in a pre -kindergarten through twelfth grade public educational setting in a specific career and technical education area; Req. No. 560 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. “Charter member state ” means a member state that has enacted legislation to adopt the compact and enactment predates the initial meeting of the Commission after the effectiv e date of the compact ; 6. “Commission” means the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission, an interstate administrative body whose membership consists of delegates of all states that have enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; 7. “Commissioner” means the delegate of a member state that has adopted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; 8. “Eligible license” means a license or certification to engage in the teaching pr ofession which requires at least a bachelor’s degree and the completio n of a state-approved program for teacher certification; 9. “Eligible military spouse ” means the spouse of any individual in full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States including members of th e National Guard and Reserve on active duty moving as a result of a military mission or military career progression requirements or moving as a result of separation or retirement. Eligib le military spouse includes surviving spouses of deceased military me mbers; 10. “Executive committee” means a group of commissioners elected or appointed on behalf of and within the powers gra nted to them by the Commission as provided for herein; Req. No. 560 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 11. “Licensing authority” means an official agency , board, or other entity of a state that is responsible fo r the licensing or certification and regulation of teachers authorized to teach in pre - kindergarten through twe lfth grade public educational settings; 12. “Member state” means any state that has ad opted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compa ct including all agencies and officials of the state; 13. “Receiving state” means any state in which a teacher has applied for certification pursuant to the Interstate T eacher Mobility Compact; 14. “Rule” means any regulation promulgated by the Commission under the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact , which shall have the force of law in each member state; 15. “State practice laws” means a member state’s laws, rules, and regulations that govern the teaching prof ession, define the scope of the teaching profession, and c reate methods and grounds for imposing discipline; 16. “State specific requirements ” means a requirement for teacher certification covered in coursework or exami nation that includes the content of unique interest to the state; 17. “Teacher” means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a member state that forms the basis for employment in the pre -kindergarten through twelfth grade public Req. No. 560 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 educational settings of the state to provide instruction in a specific subject area, grade level, or st udent population; and 18. “Unencumbered license” means a current, valid authorization issued by a member state ’s licensing authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in a pre -kindergarten through twelfth grade public educational setting. An u nencumbered license is not a restricted, probationary, provisiona l, substitute, emergency, or temporary credent ial. C. 1. Licensure pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall pertain only to the initial grant of a license or certificate by the receiving state. No thing herein shall apply to any subsequent or ongoing compliance requirements that a r eceiving state may require for teachers. 2. Each member state shall, in accordance with the rules of the Commission, define, compile, and update as necessary a list of eligible licenses and career and technical education licenses that the member state is willing to consider for equivalency pu rsuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact and provide a list to the Commission. The list shall include those licenses that a receiving state is willing to grant to teachers from other member states, pending a determination of equivalency by the rec eiving state’s licensing authority. 3. Upon receipt of an application for licensur e or certification by a teacher holding an unencumbered eligible license, Req. No. 560 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the receiving state shall determine which of the receiving s tate’s eligible licenses the teacher is qualified to hold and shall grant the license(s) or certification(s) to the applicant. The determination shall be made in the sole discretion of the receiving state’s licensing authority and may include a determinat ion that the applicant is not eligible for any of the receiving state’s eligible licenses. For all teachers who hold an u nencumbered license, th e receiving state shall grant one or m ore unencumbered licenses that, in the receiving state’s sole discretion, are equivalent to the license(s) held by the teacher in any other member state. 4. For active military members and eligi ble military spouses who hold a license or cert ification that is not unencumbered, the receiving state shall grant an equivalent licen se or licenses that, in the receiving state’s sole discretion, are equivalent to the license or licenses h eld by the teacher in any other member s tate, except where the receiving state does not have an equivalent license or certification. 5. For a teacher holding an unencumbered career and tech nical education license, the receiving stat e shall grant an unencumbered license equivalent to the career and technical education license held by the applying teacher and issued by another member state, as determined by the receiving state in its sole disc retion, except where a career and technica l education teacher does not hold a bachelor’s degree and the receiving state requires a bachelor ’s Req. No. 560 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 degree for licenses to teach career and technical education. A receiving state may require career and technical e ducation teachers to meet state industry recognized requirements, if required by law in the receiving stat e. D. 1. Except as provided for in subsection C of this s ection, nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be construed to limit or i nhibit the authority of a member state to regulate licensure or endorsements overse en by a member state’s licensing authority. 2. When a teacher is required to renew a license or certification pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact , the state granting the license or certification may require the teacher to complete state specific requirements as a condition of license or certification renewal or advancement in that state. 3. For the purposes of determining compensation, a receiving state may require additional information from teachers receiving a license or certification p ursuant to the provisio ns of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact . 4. Nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be construed to limit the power of a membe r state to control and maintain ownership of its information pertaining to teachers or limit the application of a member state’s laws or regulations governing the ownership, use, or dissemination of in formation pertaining to teachers. Req. No. 560 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. Nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be construed to invalidate or alter any exi sting agreement or another cooperative arrangement of which a member state may already be a party or limit the ability of a member st ate to participate in any future agreement or other cooperative arrangement to: a. award teaching license s, certification, or other benefits based on additional professional credentials including but not limited to a National Board Certification, b. participate in the exchange of names o f teachers whose license or certification has been subject to an adverse action by a member state, or c. participate in any agreement or cooperative arrangement with a non -member state. E. 1. Except as provided for active military members or eligible military spouses in paragraph 4 of subsection C of this section, a teacher may onl y be eligible to receive a license or certification pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact where that teacher holds an unencumbered license or certification in a member state. 2. A teacher eligible to receive a license or certification pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall, unless otherwise provided for herein: Req. No. 560 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 a. upon his or her application to receive a license or certification pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, undergo a criminal background check in the receiving state in accordance with the laws and regulations of the receiving state, and b. provide the receiving state with information in addition to the information required for licensure or certification for the purposes of determining compensation, if applicable. F. 1. Nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be deemed or construed to limit the authority of a member state to investigate or impose disciplinary measures on teach ers according to the state’s practice laws. 2. Member states shall be auth orized to receive and shall provide files and information regarding the investigation and discipline, if any, of teachers in other member states upon request. Any member state rece iving information or files shall protect and maintain the security and conf identiality thereof in at least the same manner that it maintains i ts own investigatory or disciplinary files and information. Pr ior to disclosing any disciplinary or investigatory information received from another member state, the disclosing state shall communicate its intention and purpose fo r disclosure to the member state which originally provided the information. Req. No. 560 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6-190.4 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows: A. The member states of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compac t hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission. The Commissio n shall be a joint interstate governmental agency comprised of stat es that have enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact . Nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be construed as a waiver of sovereign immunity. B. 1. Each member state shall have and be limited to one delegate to the Commission, who shall be given the title of commissioner and shall be the primary administrative officer of the state licensing authority or his or her designee. 2. Any commissioner may be removed or suspended fro m office as provided by the law of the state from which the commissioner is appointed. The member state shall fill a ny vacancy occurring in the Commission within ninety (90) days. 3. Each commissioner shall be entitled to one vote on the promulgation of rules and the creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs o f the Commission. A commissioner shall vote in person or by other means as provided for in the byla ws. The bylaws may provide for Req. No. 560 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 commissioners’ participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication. 4. The Commission shall meet at leas t once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in th e bylaws. 5. The Commission shall establish by rule a term of office for commissioners. C. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 1. Establish a code of ethics for the Commission; 2. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission; 3. Establish bylaws for the Commission; 4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws of the Commission; 5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, the bylaws, and the rules of the Commission; 6. Promulgate uniform rules to implement and administer the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding on all member states. In the event the Commission e xercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact or the powers thereunder, then such action by the Commission shall be invalid and shall have no force and effect of law; 7. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided tha t the standing of any member state Req. No. 560 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected; 8. Purchase and maintain insurance bonds; 9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel including but not limited to em ployees of a member state or an associated non-governmental organization that is open to membership by all states; 10. Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, gran t individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and establish the Commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications for personnel, and other related personnel m atters; 11. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use any real, personal, or mixed property, provided that at all tim es the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety; 12. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, e xchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any real, person al, or mixed property ; 13. Establish a budget and make expenditures; 14. Borrow money; 15. Appoint committees, including standing commi ttees comprised of members and other interested persons as may be designated in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact or Commission rules or bylaws; Req. No. 560 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16. Provide and receive information from and cooperate with law enforcement agencies; 17. Establish and elect an executive committee; 18. Establish and develop a charter for an executive information governance committee to advise on facilitating exchan ge of information, use of information, data privacy, and tech nical support needs and provide reports as needed; 19. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact consistent with the state regulation of teacher licensure; and 20. Determine whether a state’s adopted language is materially different from the model compact language in such a way that the state would not qualify for participa tion in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. D. The executive committee of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of the compact. 1. The executive committee shall be comprised of eight (8) voting members including: a. the Commission chair, vice chair, and treasurer , and b. five members who are elected by the Commission from its membership including: Req. No. 560 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (1) four voting members repres enting geographic regions in accordance with Commission rules , and (2) one at large voting member in accordance with Commission rules. 2. The Commission may add or remove mem bers of the executive committee as provided for in Commission rules. 3. The executive committee shall meet at least once annually. 4. The executive committee shall have the follow ing duties and responsibilities: a. recommend to the entire Commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact legislation, fees to be paid by compact member states such as annua l dues, and any compact fee charged by the member states on behalf of the commission, b. ensure Commission administration serv ices are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise, c. prepare and recommend the budget, d. maintain financial r ecords on behalf of the Commission, e. monitor compliance of member states and provide reports to the Commission, and f. perform other duties as provided in rul es or bylaws. Req. No. 560 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. All Commission meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with Commission bylaws. Provided, however, the Commission, its executive committee, or other committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the Commissio n, its executive committee, or other committees of the Commission discuss : a. non-compliance of a member state with its obligations under the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compac t, b. the employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or procedures related to s pecific employees or other matters related to the Commission’s internal personnel p ractices or procedures, c. current, threatened, or reasonably anticipa ted litigation, d. negotiation of contracts for the pu rchase, lease, or sale of goods, services , or real estate, e. accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person, f. disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or con fidential, g. disclosure of information of a personal nature wh ere disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, Req. No. 560 Page 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 h. disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes, i. disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on b ehalf of or for the use of the Commission or other committees charged with responsibility of investigating and determining compliance issues pursuant to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, j. matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute, and k. other matters as set forth by the Commission b ylaws and rules. 6. If a meeting or portion of a meeti ng is closed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 5 of this subsection, the Commission ’s legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exem pting provision. 7. The Commission shall keep minutes of the Commission meetings and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken and the reasons for the acti ons including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in the minu tes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to rele ase by a majority vote of the Commission or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Req. No. 560 Page 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. 1. The Commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, a nd ongoing activities. 2. The Commission may accept all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment , supplies, materials, and services and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest. 3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and a ctivities of the Commission, in accordance with Commission rules. 4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of an y kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same , nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, exce pt by and with the authority of the member state. 5. The Commission shall kee p accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to accounting procedures established under Commission bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds of the Commission shall be reviewed annually in accordance with Commiss ion bylaws, and a report of the review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Co mmission. Req. No. 560 Page 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 F. 1. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or lo ss of property or perso nal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleg ed act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a re asonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission empl oyment, duties, or responsibilities. Provided, however, nothing in this par agraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liabilit y for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of the person. 2. The Commission sh all defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omi ssion that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities or that the person against whom the claim is made had a re asonable basis for believing had occurred within the scope of Com mission employment, duties, or responsibil ities. Provided, howev er, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the person from retaining his or her own legal counsel, and provided further that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the person’s intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct. Req. No. 560 Page 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee , or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against the person arisi ng out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission emplo yment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing had occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibiliti es. Provided, however, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional, willful, or wanton misconduct of the p erson. G. 1. The Commission shall exercise its r ule-making powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. Rules and amendments shall be come binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment. 2. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules to achieve the intent and purpose of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. In the event the Commission exercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the purpose and intent of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact or the powers granted thereunder, such action by the Commission shall be invalid and ha ve no force and effect of law in the member states. 3. If a majority of the legis latures of the member states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact within Req. No. 560 Page 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 four (4) years of the date of the adoption of the rule, then the rule shall have no further f orce and effect in any member state. 4. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted or ratified at a regular or special meeting of the Commissi on, in accordance with Commission bylaws and rules. 5. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the C ommission may consider and adopt an emergency rule within forty -eight (48) hours’ notice with opportunity to comment, provided tha t the usual rule-making procedures shall be retroactively applied to the ru le as soon as reasonably possible and in no event l ater than ninety (90) days after the effectiv e date of the rule. F or purposes of this paragraph, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to: a. meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, b. prevent a loss of Commission or member state funds, c. meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by feder al law or rule, or d. protect public health and safety. H. 1. The Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administ er and implement the provisions of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact in accordance with Req. No. 560 Page 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Commission rules, co nsistent with generally accepted data protection principles. 2. Nothing in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be deemed or construed to alter, limit, or inhibit the power of a member state to control and maintain ownership of its licensee information or alter, limit, or inhibit the laws or regulations governing licensee information in the member state. I. 1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact and take all actions necessar y and appropriate to effectuate the compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of the compact shall have standing as statutory law. 2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a c ourt of competent jurisdiction where the princip al office of the Commission is located. The Commis sion may waive venue and jurisdictio nal defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing h erein shall affect or limit the selection or pro priety of venue in any action against a licensee fo r professional malpractice, misconduct, or any similar matter. 3. All courts and administrative agencies shall take judicial notice of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, the rules of the Commission, and any information provided to a member state pur suant Req. No. 560 Page 22 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 thereto in any judicial or quasi -judicial proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact or which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the Commission. 4. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enf orcement or interpretation of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact and shall have standing to intervene in a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the Commission service of process sh all render a judgement or order void as to the Commission, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, or rules of the Commission. J. 1. If the Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact or Commission rules, the Commission shall: a. provide written notice to the defaulting stat e and other member states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or any other action to be taken by the Commission, and b. provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default. 2. If a state in default fails to c ure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the member states, and all rights, privileges, and Req. No. 560 Page 23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 benefits conferred on the state by the compact may be terminated on the effective date of termina tion. A cure of the default shall not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabiliti es incurred during the period of default. 3. Termination of member ship in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been ex hausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be gi ven by the Commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, the state licensing authority, and each of the mem ber states. 4. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligatio ns, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination including al l obligations that exte nd beyond the effective date of termination. 5. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact , unless agreed upon i n writing between the Commission and the defaulting sta te. 6. The defaulting s tate may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the Di strict of Columbia or the federal district court where the Commission has its princ ipal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of litigation including reasonable attorney fees. Req. No. 560 Page 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7. Upon request by a member state, the Commission shall a ttempt to resolve disputes related to the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact that arise among member stat es and between member states and non-member states. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both binding and non-binding alternative dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate. 8. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. By majority vote, th e Commission may initiate legal action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices against a member state in default to en force compliance with the provisions of the compact and the Commission’s promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In t he event judicial enfor cement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of litigation including reason able attorney fees. The remedies shall not be exclusive of remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under feder al or state law. K. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be in effect on the date on which the compact is enacted into law in the tenth member state. 1. On or after the effective date of the compact, the Commission shall convene and review the enactment of the compact by Req. No. 560 Page 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 each member state to determine if the statute enacted by each member state is materially different from the model statute. 2. A member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the mod el compact statute shal l be entitled to the default process set forth in subsection J of this section. 3. Member states enacting the compact subsequent to the effective date shall be subject to the process set forth in paragraph 20 of subsection C of this section to determine i f the enactments are materially different from the mod el compact statute and whether they qualify for participa tion in the compact. 4. If any member state is later found to be in default or is terminated or withdraws from the compac t, the Commission shall remain in existence and the compact shall remain in effect even if the number of member states is fewer th an ten (10). 5. Any state that joins the compact after the Commission ’s initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be su bject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in the state. Any rule that has been previous ly adopted by the Commission shall hav e the full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in the state, as the rules and bylaws may be amended as provided for in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. 6. Any member state may withdraw from the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact by enacting a statute repealing the compact. A Req. No. 560 Page 26 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 member state’s withdrawal shall not take effect unti l six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requireme nt of the withdrawing state’s licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of the compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 7. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact may be amended by the member states; provided, however, that no ame ndment to the compact shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into law by all member states. L. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of the co mpact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of the compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or a sta te seeking membership in the compact or of the U. S. Constitution or the applicability ther eof to any other government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainde r of the compact and the applicability thereof to any govern ment, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be a ffected. If the compact is held contr ary to the constitution of any member state, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the r emaining member states and in full force and effect as to th e member state affected as to all severable matters. Req. No. 560 Page 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 M. Nothing in this act shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact . Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict. All permissible agreements between the Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023. SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is he reby declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its pas sage and approval. 59-1-560 EB 1/15/2023 1:06:14 PM