summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; creating s. 468.371, F.S.; enacting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact; providing purpose and intent; providing definitions; requiring member states to meet certain requirements to join and participate in the compact; providing criteria that a respiratory therapist licensee must satisfy to practice under the compact; providing requirements for renewal of an equivalent license in a member state; providing requirements and procedures for changing a home state license designation; authorizing an active military member and his or her spouse to be deemed as having a home state license under certain circumstances; authorizing member states to impose adverse actions against licensees under certain circumstances; authorizing member states to participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees under certain circumstances; providing applicability; establishing the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission; providing commission membership, duties, and powers; providing for powers, duties, and responsibilities of an executive committee; requiring the committee to adopt and provide an annual report to member states; authorizing the commission to convene in closed, nonpublic meetings under certain circumstances; providing for financing of the commission; providing immunity from liability for member states under certain circumstances; providing for the development, maintenance, and use of a coordinated database and reporting system; requiring member states to submit specified information to the data system; providing requirements for the information in the data system; providing rulemaking procedures; providing for state enforcement of the compact; providing for the termination of compact membership; providing procedures for the resolution of certain disputes; providing compact amendment procedures; providing construction and severability and binding effect of the compact; amending ss. 456.076, 468.353, 468.355, 468.361, and 768.28, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which establishes a framework for licensed respiratory therapists to practice in multiple states. The compact aims to improve access to respiratory care services by allowing licensed professionals in member states to practice in other member states, while still preserving each state's authority to regulate and protect public health and safety. Key provisions include definitions for terms like "compact privilege" (the authorization to practice in a remote member state), "home state" (the licensee's primary domicile), and "adverse action" (disciplinary measures taken against a license). To join and participate, states must meet certain requirements, and respiratory therapists must satisfy specific criteria to practice under the compact, including holding an active home state license and meeting any jurisprudence requirements of the remote state. The bill also establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission to oversee the compact, outlines its powers and duties, and provides for its financing. It includes provisions for active military members and their spouses to be deemed as having a home state license, allows member states to impose adverse actions against licensees, and authorizes joint investigations. The bill also details procedures for dispute resolution, amendment of the compact, and termination of membership, and it makes conforming changes to existing Florida Statutes related to impaired practitioner programs, licensure requirements, and waiver of sovereign immunity.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Now in Health & Human Services Committee (on 02/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235 |
| Analysis - Health Care Budget Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235/Analyses/h1235c.HCB.PDF |
| Analysis - Health Care Budget Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235/Analyses/h1235b.HCB.PDF |
| Analysis - Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235/Analyses/h1235a.HPP.PDF |
| Analysis - Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235/Analyses/h1235.HPP.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1235/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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