Bill > H0099

Introduced Session

An act relating to the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact; creating s. 491.022, F.S.; creating the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact; providing purposes, objectives, and definitions; specifying requirements for state participation in the compact and duties of member states; specifying that the compact does not affect an individual's ability to apply for, and a member state's ability to grant, a single state license pursuant to the laws of that state; providing for recognition of compact privilege in member states; specifying criteria a licensee must meet for compact privilege; providing for the expiration and renewal of compact privilege; specifying that a licensee with compact privilege in a remote state must adhere to the laws and rules of that state; authorizing member states to act on a licensee's compact privilege under certain circumstances; specifying the consequences and parameters of practice for a licensee whose compact privilege has been acted on or whose home state license is encumbered; specifying that a licensee may hold a home state license in only one member state at a time; specifying requirements and procedures for changing a home state license designation; authorizing active duty military personnel or their spouses to keep their home state designation during active duty; authorizing member states to take adverse actions against licensees and issue subpoenas for hearings and investigations under certain circumstances; providing requirements and procedures for such adverse action; authorizing member states to engage in joint investigations under certain circumstances; providing that a licensee's compact privilege must be deactivated in all member states for the duration of an encumbrance imposed by the licensee's home state; providing for notice to the data system and the licensee's home state of any adverse action taken against a licensee; establishing the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact Commission; providing for jurisdiction and venue for court proceedings; providing for membership and powers of the commission; specifying powers and duties of the commission's executive committee; providing for the financing of the commission; providing specified individuals immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; providing exceptions; requiring the commission to defend the specified individuals in civil actions under certain circumstances; requiring the commission to indemnify and hold harmless specified individuals for any settlement or judgment obtained in such actions under certain circumstances; providing for the development of the data system, reporting procedures, and the exchange of specified information between member states; requiring the commission to notify member states of any adverse action taken against a licensee or applicant for licensure; authorizing member states to designate as confidential information provided to the data system; requiring the commission to remove information from the data system under certain circumstances; providing rulemaking procedures for the commission; providing for member state enforcement of the compact; authorizing the commission to receive notice of process, and have standing to intervene, in certain proceedings; rendering certain judgments and orders void as to the commission, the compact, or commission rules under certain circumstances; providing for defaults and termination of compact membership; providing procedures for the resolution of certain disputes; providing for commission enforcement of the compact; providing for remedies; providing for implementation of, withdrawal from, and amendment to the compact; specifying that licensees practicing in a remote state under the compact must adhere to the laws and rules of that state; specifying that the compact, commission rules, and commission actions are binding on member states; providing construction; providing for severability; amending s. 456.073, F.S.; requiring the Department of Health to report certain investigative information to the data system; amending s. 456.076, F.S.; requiring monitoring contracts for certain impaired practitioners to contain certain terms; amending s. 491.004, F.S.; requiring the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling to appoint an individual to serve as the state's delegate on the commission; amending ss. 491.005 and 491.006, F.S.; exempting certain persons from licensure requirements; amending s. 491.009, F.S.; authorizing certain disciplinary action under the compact for specified prohibited acts; amending s. 768.28, F.S.; designating the state's delegate and other members or employees of the commission as state agents for the purpose of applying waivers of sovereign immunity; requiring the commission to pay certain claims or judgments; authorizing the commission to maintain insurance coverage to pay such claims or judgments; requiring the department to notify the Division of Law Revision upon enactment of the compact into law by seven states; providing a contingent effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Christine Hunschofsky (D)*,  Christopher Benjamin (D),  Daryl Campbell (D),  Alina García (R),  Rita Harris (D),  Johanna López (D),  Allison Tant (D),  Marie Woodson (D), 

Other Sponsors (1)

Died on Second Reading Calendar (on 03/08/2024)

Bill Topics

Official Document