Bill > S1498

Introduced Session

An act relating to the Practice of Audiology and Speech-language Pathology Interstate Compact; creating s. 468.1335, F.S.; enacting the Practice of Audiology and Speech-language Pathology Interstate Compact; providing a purpose and objectives; providing construction; defining terms; specifying requirements for state participation in the compact and duties of member states; specifying requirements for a privilege to practice in member states; providing that a privilege to practice is derived from the home state license; specifying the parameters of practice for audiologists and speech-language pathologists practicing in 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 construction; specifying criteria a licensee must meet to exercise compact privilege; 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; 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; providing for the recognition of the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology through telehealth in member states; authorizing certain active duty military personnel or their spouses to keep their home state designation during active duty; specifying how such individuals may subsequently change their home state license designation; authorizing remote states to take adverse action against a licensee’s privilege to practice and issue subpoenas for hearings and investigations under certain circumstances; providing for the enforcement of subpoenas issued by remote states; requiring the remote state to pay for certain associated costs and fees; providing requirements and procedures for taking adverse action; authorizing remote states to recover costs of investigations and disposition of cases under certain circumstances; 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; requiring home state disciplinary orders imposing adverse action to include a certain statement; providing for notice to the commission’s data system and the licensee’s home state of any adverse action taken against a licensee; providing construction; establishing the Audiology and Speech-language Pathology Interstate Compact Commission; providing for jurisdiction and venue for court proceedings; providing construction; providing for membership, voting, and meetings of the commission; specifying the commission’s powers and duties; providing for election and membership of an executive committee; providing duties and responsibilities of the executive committee; providing requirements for meetings of the commission; requiring the commission to keep minutes of the meetings; providing requirements for the minutes; providing for the financing of the commission; providing for annual audits of the commission; providing specified individuals immunity from civil liability under certain circumstances; providing construction; requiring the commission to defend such 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 a data system; providing reporting procedures; providing for 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, including public notice and hearing requirements; providing emergency rulemaking procedures; providing procedures for rule revisions that are technical in nature; providing for member state dispute resolution and enforcement of the compact; providing procedures and venue for the commission to initiate legal actions to enforce the compact; providing for injunctive relief and damages; providing for costs and attorney fees; providing construction; providing that the compact becomes effective and binding upon enactment of the compact by 10 states; providing for initial rulemaking to implement the compact; providing that states that join the compact after adoption of the initial rules are subject to such rules; providing procedures for withdrawal from the compact; providing construction; providing for amendment of the compact; providing construction and for severability; specifying that the compact and commission actions, rules, and agreements are binding on member states; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Tommy Wright (R)*, 

Died in Health Policy (on 03/08/2024)

Official Document