The Florida Senate

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

(1) The purpose of the compact is to facilitate the interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.

(2) The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the patient, client, or student is located at the time the services are provided.

(3) The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect the public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

(4) The compact is designed to achieve all of the following objectives:

(a) Increase public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses.

(b) Enhance the states’ abilities to protect public health and safety.

(c) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate audiology and speech-language pathology practices.

(d) Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel.

(e) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between member states.

(f) Allow a remote state to hold a licensee with compact privilege in that state accountable to that state’s practice standards.

(g) Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

As used in the compact, the term:

(1) “Active duty military” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 U.S.C. chapters 1209 and 1211.

(2) “Adverse action” means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state’s laws which is imposed by a licensing board against a licensee, including actions against an individual’s license or privilege to practice, such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, or restriction on the licensee’s practice.

(3) “Alternative program” means a nondisciplinary monitoring process approved by an audiology licensing board or a speech-language pathology licensing board to address impaired licensees.

(4) “Audiologist” means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice audiology.

(5) “Audiology” means the care and services provided by a licensed audiologist as provided in the member state’s rules and regulations.

(6) “Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission” or “commission” means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.

(7) “Audiology licensing board” means the agency of a state which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of audiologists.

(8) “Compact privilege” means the authorization granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist in the remote state under its rules and regulations. The practice of audiology or speech-language pathology occurs in the member state where the patient, client, or student is located at the time the services are provided.

(9) “Current significant investigative information,” “investigative materials,” “investigative records,” or “investigative reports” means information that a licensing board, after an inquiry or investigation that includes notification and an opportunity for the audiologist or speech-language pathologist to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction.

(10) “Data system” means a repository of information relating to licensees, including, but not limited to, continuing education, examination, licensure, investigative, compact privilege, and adverse action information.

(11) “Encumbered license” means a license in which an adverse action restricts the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology by the licensee and the adverse action has been reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank.

(12) “Executive committee” means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.

(13) “Home state” means the member state that is the licensee’s primary state of residence.

(14) “Impaired licensee” means a licensee whose professional practice is adversely affected by substance abuse, addiction, or other health-related conditions.

(15) “Licensee” means a person who is licensed by his or her home state to practice as an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

(16) “Licensing board” means the agency of a state which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of audiologists or speech-language pathologists.

(17) “Member state” means a state that has enacted the compact.

(18) “Privilege to practice” means the legal authorization to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in a remote state.

(19) “Remote state” means a member state, other than the home state, where a licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise his or her compact privilege.

(20) “Rule” means a regulation, principle, or directive adopted by the commission which has the force of law.

(21) “Single-state license” means an audiology or speech-language pathology license issued by a member state which authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a privilege to practice in any other member state.

(22) “Speech-language pathologist” means an individual who is licensed to practice speech-language pathology.

(23) “Speech-language pathology” means the care and services provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist as provided in the member state’s rules and regulations.

(24) “Speech-language pathology licensing board” means the agency of a state which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of speech-language pathologists.

(25) “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of America which regulates the practice of audiology and speech-language pathology.

(26) “State practice laws” means a member state’s laws, rules, and regulations that govern the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology, define the scope of audiology or speech-language pathology practice, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline.

(27) “Telehealth” means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver audiology or speech-language pathology services at a distance for assessment, intervention, or consultation.

ARTICLE III

STATE PARTICIPATION

(1) A license issued to an audiologist or speech-language pathologist by a home state to a resident in that state must be recognized by each member state as authorizing an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to practice audiology or speech-language pathology, under a privilege to practice, in each member state.

(2) A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial privilege to practice. These procedures must include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant’s criminal history records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state’s criminal history records.

(a) A member state must fully implement a criminal history records check procedure, within a timeframe established by rule, which requires the member state to receive an applicant’s criminal history records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining the member state’s criminal history records and use such records in making licensure decisions.

(b) Communication between a member state, the commission, and other member states regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the compact may not include any information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a criminal history records check performed by a member state under Pub. L. No. 92-544.

(3) Upon application for a privilege to practice, the licensing board in the issuing remote state must determine, through the data system, whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any encumbrances on any license or privilege to practice held by the applicant, and whether any adverse action has been taken against any license or privilege to practice held by the applicant.

(4) Each member state must require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in his or her home state and meet the home state’s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure and all other applicable state laws.

(5) Each member state must require that an applicant meet all of the following criteria to receive the privilege to practice as an audiologist in the member state:

(a) One of the following educational requirements:

1. On or before December 31, 2007, has graduated with a master’s degree or doctoral degree in audiology, or an equivalent degree, regardless of the name of such degree, from a program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board;

2. On or after January 1, 2008, has graduated with a doctoral degree in audiology, or an equivalent degree, regardless of the name of such degree, from a program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor, or by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board; or

3. Has graduated from an audiology program that is housed in an institution of higher education outside of the United States for which the degree program and institution have been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and the degree program has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a state licensing board-approved program.

(b) Has completed a supervised clinical practicum experience from an accredited educational institution or its cooperating programs as required by the commission.

(c) Has successfully passed a national examination approved by the commission.

(d) Holds an active, unencumbered license.

(e) Has not been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of his or her profession or the ability to practice his or her profession.

(f) Has a valid United States social security number or a national provider identifier.

(6) Each member state must require that an applicant meet all of the following criteria to receive the privilege to practice as a speech-language pathologist in the member state:

(a) One of the following educational requirements:

1. Has graduated with a master’s degree from a speech-language pathology program that is accredited by an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and operated by a college or university accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization recognized by the board; or

2. Has graduated from a speech-language pathology program that is housed in an institution of higher education outside of the United States for which the degree program and institution have been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and the degree program has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a state licensing board-approved program.

(b) Has completed a supervised clinical practicum experience from an educational institution or its cooperating programs as required by the commission.

(c) Has completed a supervised postgraduate professional experience as required by the commission.

(d) Has successfully passed a national examination approved by the commission.

(e) Holds an active, unencumbered license.

(f) Has not been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony in any jurisdiction which directly relates to the practice of his or her profession or the ability to practice his or her profession.

(g) Has a valid United States social security number or national provider identifier.

(7) The privilege to practice is derived from the home state license.

(8) An audiologist or speech-language pathologist practicing in a member state must comply with the state practice laws of the member state where the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology includes all audiology and speech-language pathology practices as defined by the state practice laws of the member state where the client is located. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology in a member state under a privilege to practice subjects an audiologist or speech-language pathologist to the jurisdiction of the licensing boards, courts, and laws of the member state where the client is located at the time service is provided.

(9) Individuals not residing in a member state shall continue to be able to apply for a member state’s single-state license as provided under the laws of each member state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals may not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in any other member state. The compact does not affect the requirements established by a member state for the issuance of a single-state license.

(10) Member states must comply with the bylaws and rules of the commission.

ARTICLE IV

COMPACT PRIVILEGE

(1) To exercise compact privilege under the compact, the audiologist or speech-language pathologist must meet all of the following criteria:

(a) Hold an active license in the home state.

(b) Have no encumbrance on any state license.

(c) Be eligible for compact privilege in any member state in accordance with Article III.

(d) Not have any adverse action against any license or compact privilege within the 2 years preceding the date of application.

(e) Notify the commission that he or she is seeking compact privilege within a remote state or states.

(f) Report to the commission any adverse action taken by any nonmember state within 30 days after the date the adverse action is taken.

(2) For the purposes of compact privilege, an audiologist or speech-language pathologist may hold only one home state license at a time.

(3) Except as provided in Article VI, if an audiologist or speech-language pathologist changes his or her primary state of residence by moving between two member states, the audiologist or speech-language pathologist must apply for licensure in the new home state, and the license issued by the prior home state shall be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission.

(4) The audiologist or speech-language pathologist may apply for licensure in advance of a change in his or her primary state of residence.

(5) A license may not be issued by the new home state until the audiologist or speech-language pathologist provides satisfactory evidence of a change in his or her primary state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to obtain a license from the new home state.

(6) If an audiologist or speech-language pathologist changes his or her primary state of residence by moving from a member state to a nonmember state, the license issued by the prior home state shall convert to a single-state license, valid only in the former home state.

(7) Compact privilege is valid until the expiration date of the home state license. The licensee must comply with the requirements of subsection (1) to maintain compact privilege in the remote state.

(8) A licensee providing audiology or speech-language pathology services in a remote state under compact privilege shall function within the laws and regulations of the remote state.

(9) A remote state may, in accordance with due process and state law, remove a licensee’s compact privilege in the remote state for a specific period of time, impose fines, or take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its residents.

(10) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee shall lose compact privilege in all remote states until both of the following occur:

(a) The home state license is no longer encumbered.

(b) Two years have lapsed from the date of the adverse action.

(11) Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, the licensee must meet the requirements of subsection (1) to obtain compact privilege in any remote state.

(12) Once the requirements of subsection (10) have been met, the licensee must meet the requirements in subsection (1) to obtain compact privilege in a remote state.

ARTICLE V

COMPACT PRIVILEGE TO
PRACTICE TELEHEALTH

Member states shall recognize the right of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, licensed by a home state in accordance with Article III and under rules adopted by the commission, to practice audiology or speech-language pathology in any member state through the use of telehealth under privilege to practice as provided in the compact and rules adopted by the commission.

ARTICLE VI

ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL
AND THEIR SPOUSES

Active duty military personnel, or their spouses, as applicable, shall designate a home state where the individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain the home state designation during the period the servicemember is on active duty. Subsequent to designating a home state, the individual shall change his or her home state only through application for licensure in the new state.

ARTICLE VII

ADVERSE ACTIONS

(1) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state may:

(a) Take adverse action against an audiologist’s or speech-language pathologist’s privilege to practice within that member state.

1. Only the home state has the power to take adverse action against an audiologist’s or a speech-language pathologist’s license issued by the home state.

2. For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the conduct had occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action.

(b) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a member state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another member state must be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence is located.

(c) Complete any pending investigations of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist who changes his or her primary state of residence during the course of the investigations. The home state also has the authority to take appropriate actions and shall promptly report the conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the new home state of any adverse actions.

(d) If otherwise allowed by state law, recover from the affected audiologist or speech-language pathologist the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

(e) Take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote state, provided that the member state follows the member state’s own procedures for taking the adverse action.

(2)(a) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective audiology or speech-language pathology practice act or other applicable state law, any member state may participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees.

(b) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact.

(3) If adverse action is taken by the home state against an audiologist’s or a speech-language pathologist’s license, the audiologist’s or speech-language pathologist’s privilege to practice in all other member states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the home state license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against an audiologist’s or a speech-language pathologist’s license must include a statement that the audiologist’s or speech-language pathologist’s privilege to practice is deactivated in all member states during the pendency of the order.

(4) If a member state takes adverse action, it must promptly notify the administrator of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the home state of any adverse actions by remote states.

(5) The compact does not override a member state’s decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action.

ARTICLE VIII

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUDIOLOGY
AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY
INTERSTATE COMPACT COMMISSION

(1) The member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission.

(a) The commission is an instrumentality of the compact states.

(b) Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the commission must be brought solely and exclusively, in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

(c) The compact does not waive sovereign immunity except to the extent sovereign immunity is waived in the member states.

(2)(a) Each member state must have two delegates selected by that member state’s licensing boards. The delegates must be current members of the licensing boards. One delegate must be an audiologist, and one delegate must be a speech-language pathologist.

(b) An additional five delegates, who are either public members or board administrators from licensing boards, must be chosen by the executive committee from a pool of nominees provided by the commission at large.

(c) A delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the state law from which the delegate is appointed.

(d) The member state board shall fill any vacancy occurring on the commission within 90 days after the vacancy occurs.

(e) Each delegate is entitled to one vote with regard to the adoption of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission.

(f) A delegate shall vote in person or by other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates’ participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.

(g) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings must be held as provided in the bylaws and rules.

(3) The commission has the following powers and duties:

(a) Establish the commission’s fiscal year.

(b) Establish bylaws.

(c) Establish a code of ethics.

(d) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.

(e) Meet and take actions as are consistent with the compact and the bylaws.

(f) Adopt uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of the compact. The rules have the force and effect of law and are binding on all member states.

(g) Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of an audiology licensing board or a speech-language pathology licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law is not affected.

(h) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

(i) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a member state.

(j) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the compact, and establish the commission’s personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters.

(k) Accept any appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, and materials and services, and receive, use, and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the commission must avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.

(l) Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed, provided that at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety.

(m) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed.

(n) Establish a budget and make expenditures.

(o) Borrow money.

(p) Appoint committees, including standing committees, composed of members and other interested persons as may be designated in the compact and the bylaws.

(q) Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.

(r) Establish and elect an executive committee.

(s) Perform other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact consistent with the state regulation of audiology and speech-language pathology licensure and practice.

(4) The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the commission according to the terms of the compact.

(a) The executive committee must be composed of 10 members as follows:

1. Seven voting members who are elected by the commission from the current membership of the commission.

2. Two ex officio members, consisting of one nonvoting member from a recognized national audiology professional association and one nonvoting member from a recognized national speech-language pathology association.

3. One ex officio, nonvoting member from the recognized membership organization of the audiology and speech-language pathology licensing boards.

(b) The ex officio members must be selected by their respective organizations.

(c) The commission may remove any member of the executive committee as provided in the bylaws.

(d) The executive committee shall meet at least annually.

(e) The executive committee has the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Recommend to the entire commission changes to the rules or bylaws and changes to this compact legislation.

2. Ensure compact administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise.

3. Prepare and recommend the budget.

4. Maintain financial records on behalf of the commission.

5. Monitor compact compliance of member states and provide compliance reports to the commission.

6. Establish additional committees as necessary.

7. Other duties as provided by rule or bylaw.

(f) All meetings must be open to the public, and public notice of meetings must be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Article X.

(g) If a meeting or any portion of a meeting is closed under this subsection, the commission’s legal counsel or designee must certify that the meeting may be closed and must reference each relevant exempting provision.

(h) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action must be identified in the minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting must remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(5) Relating to the financing of the commission, the commission:

(a) Shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

(b) May accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.

(c) May not incur obligations of any kind before securing the funds adequate to meet the same and may not pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

(d) Shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements of funds. The receipts and disbursements of funds of the commission are subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission must be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit must be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.

(6) Relating to qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification:

(a) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the commission are immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that this paragraph may not be construed to protect any person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

(b) The commission shall 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 omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that this paragraph may not be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person’s intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

(c) 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 that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

ARTICLE IX

DATA SYSTEM

(1) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, and use of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and current significant investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom the compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission, including all of the following information:

(a) Identifying information.

(b) Licensure data.

(c) Adverse actions against a license or compact privilege.

(d) Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation.

(e) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason for such denial.

(f) Other information that may facilitate the administration of the compact, as determined by the rules of the commission.

(3) Current significant investigative information pertaining to a licensee in a member state must be available only to other member states.

(4) The commission shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken against a licensee or an individual applying for a license. Adverse action information pertaining to a licensee or an individual applying for a license in any member state must be available to any other member state.

(5) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state.

(6) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information must be removed from the data system.

ARTICLE X

RULEMAKING

(1) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria provided in this article and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.

(2) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within 4 years after the date of adoption of the rule, the rule has no further force and effect in any member state.

(3) Rules or amendments to the rules must be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.

(4) Before adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and at least 30 days before the meeting at which the rule shall be considered and voted upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking:

(a) On the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform; and

(b) On the website of each member state audiology licensing board and speech-language pathology licensing board or other publicly accessible platform or the publication where each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.

(5) The notice of proposed rulemaking must include all of the following:

(a) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon.

(b) The text of and reason for the proposed rule or amendment.

(c) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person.

(d) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.

(6) Before the adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.

(a) The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by:

1. At least 25 persons;

2. A state or federal governmental subdivision or agency; or

3. An association having at least 25 members.

(b) If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the commission must publish the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is held via electronic means, the commission must publish the mechanism for access to the electronic hearing.

(c) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the executive director of the commission or other designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the hearing not less than 5 business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.

(d) Hearings must be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.

(e) All hearings must be recorded. A copy of the recording must be made available on request.

(7) This article does not require a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this article.

(8) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.

(9) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is received, the commission may proceed with adoption of the proposed rule without a public hearing.

(10) The commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.

(11) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact and in this article retroactively apply to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, but in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the rule. For purposes of this subsection, 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; or

(c) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule.

(12) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions must be posted on the website of the commission. The revisions are subject to challenge by any person for a period of 30 days after posting. A revision may be challenged only on grounds that it results in a material change to a rule. A challenge must be made in writing and delivered to the chair of the commission before the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision takes effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.

ARTICLE XI

DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ENFORCEMENT

(1)(a) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact which arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

(b) The commission shall adopt a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

(2)(a) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the compact.

(b) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States 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 enforce compliance with the compact and its adopted rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member must be awarded all costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.

(c) The remedies provided in this subsection are not the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

ARTICLE XII

EFFECTIVE DATE, WITHDRAWAL,
AND AMENDMENT

(1) The compact becomes effective and binding on the date of legislative enactment of the compact by no fewer than 10 member states. The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the commission relating to assembly and the adoption of rules. Thereafter, the commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers as necessary to implement and administer the compact.

(2) Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission’s initial adoption of the rules is subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission has the full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state.

(3) A member state may withdraw from the compact by enacting a statute repealing the compact.

(a) A member state’s withdrawal does not take effect until 6 months after enactment of the repealing statute.

(b) Withdrawal does not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state’s audiology licensing board or speech-language pathology licensing board to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of the compact before the effective date of withdrawal.

(4) The compact does not invalidate or prevent any audiology or speech-language pathology licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member state and a nonmember state which does not conflict with the compact.

(5) The compact may be amended by the member states. An amendment to the compact does not become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all member states.

ARTICLE XIII

CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY

The compact must be liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes. The provisions of the compact are 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 of the United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is not affected. If the compact is held contrary to the constitution of any member state, it shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected as to all severable matters.

ARTICLE XIV

BINDING EFFECT OF
COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS

(1) This compact does not prevent the enforcement of any other law of a member state which is not inconsistent with the compact.

(2) All laws of a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

(3) All lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and bylaws adopted by the commission, are binding upon the member states.

(4) All agreements between the commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

(5) In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state, the provision is ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.