Bill > HB1114

This bill establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a legal framework designed to facilitate interstate practice for respiratory therapists while maintaining public health and safety standards. The compact allows licensed respiratory therapists to practice in multiple member states through a "compact privilege" after meeting specific requirements, such as holding an active home state license, maintaining national certification, and having no recent adverse actions against their license. The bill creates a interstate commission to oversee the compact, which will develop a coordinated database for tracking licensure, adverse actions, and investigative information across member states. Key objectives include increasing public access to respiratory therapy services, supporting military members and their spouses, addressing workforce shortages, and reducing administrative burdens on states. The compact will come into effect once seven states have enacted it, and member states must follow specific rules regarding licensure, data reporting, and professional conduct. The bill also establishes procedures for dispute resolution, enforcement, and potential termination of a state's membership in the compact, while preserving each state's ability to regulate respiratory therapy within its own borders.