AB193: Bill Text

AB193,35,20 i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

AB193,35,23 j. Information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact;

AB193,35,24 k. Legal advice;

AB193,36,2 L. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state law; or

AB193,36,3 m. Other matters as promulgated by the commission by rule.

AB193,36,6 5. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the presiding officer shall state that the meeting will be closed and reference each relevant exempting provision, and such reference shall be recorded in the minutes.

AB193,36,11 6. The commission shall keep minutes in accordance with commission rules and bylaws. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release only by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

AB193,36,14 (g) Financing of the commission. 1. The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

AB193,36,16 2. The commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources as provided herein.

AB193,36,22 3. The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state and impose fees on licensees of member states to whom it grants a compact privilege to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff. The aggregate annual assessment amount for member states, if any, shall be allocated based upon a formula that the commission shall promulgate by rule.

AB193,37,2 4. The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds or a loan adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

AB193,37,9 5. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the financial review and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.

AB193,37,13 (h) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification. 1. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any licensee for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be governed solely by any other applicable state laws.

AB193,38,2 2. The member states, commissioners, officers, executive directors, employees, and agents of the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and 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 nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The procurement of insurance of any type by the commission shall not in any way compromise or limit the immunity granted hereunder.

AB193,38,12 3. The commission shall defend any commissioner, officer, executive director, employee, and agent 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 as determined by the commission 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 nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining their own counsel at their own expense; 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.

AB193,38,21 4. The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any commissioner, member, officer, executive director, employee, and agent 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 such 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.

AB193,39,2 5. Nothing in this compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate a member state’s state action immunity or state action affirmative defense with respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any other state or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation.

AB193,39,4 6. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity by the member states or by the commission.

AB193,39,8 (8) Data system. (a) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and the presence of significant investigative information.

AB193,39,11 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system as required by the rules of the commission, including but not limited to:

AB193,39,12 1. Identifying information;

AB193,39,13 2. Licensure data;

AB193,39,15 3 Adverse actions against a licensee, license applicant, or compact privilege holder and information related thereto;

AB193,39,18 4. Nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation, the beginning and ending dates of such participation, and other information related to such participation not made confidential under member state law;

AB193,39,19 5. Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial;

AB193,39,20 6. The presence of current significant investigative information; and

AB193,39,22 7. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact or the protection of the public, as determined by the rules of the commission.

AB193,40,2 (c) No member state shall submit any information which constitutes criminal history record information, as defined by applicable federal law, to the data system established hereunder.

AB193,40,7 (d) The records and information provided to a member state pursuant to this compact or through the data system, when certified by the commission or an agent thereof, shall constitute the authenticated business records of the commission, and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any relevant judicial, quasi- judicial or administrative proceedings in a member state.

AB193,40,9 (e) Significant investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any member state will only be available to other member states.

AB193,40,13 (f) It is the responsibility of the member states to report any adverse action against a licensee and to monitor the database to determine whether adverse action has been taken against a licensee. Adverse action information pertaining to a licensee in any member state will be available to any other member state.

AB193,40,16 (g) 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.

AB193,40,19 (h) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed from the data system.

AB193,41,2 (9) Rule making. (a) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently implement and administer the purposes and provisions of the compact. A rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect only if a court of competent jurisdiction holds that the rule is invalid because the commission exercised its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope and purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based upon another applicable standard of review.

AB193,41,4 (b) For purposes of the compact, the rules of the commission shall have the force of law in each member state.

AB193,41,7 (c) The commission shall exercise its rule-making powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this subsection and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule.

AB193,41,11 (d) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule or portion of a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within 4 years of the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

AB193,41,12 (e) Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.

AB193,41,15 (f) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall hold a public hearing and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts, opinions, and arguments.

AB193,41,19 (g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule by the commission, and at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule, the commission shall provide a notice of proposed rule making:

AB193,41,20 1. On the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform;

AB193,41,22 2. To persons who have requested notice of the commission’s notices of proposed rule making, and

AB193,41,23 3. In such other way(s) as the commission may by rule specify.

AB193,41,24 (h) The notice of proposed rule making shall include:

AB193,42,4 1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the commission will hear public comments on the proposed rule and, if different, the time, date, and location of the meeting where the commission will consider and vote on the proposed rule;

AB193,42,7 2. If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other electronic means, the commission shall include the mechanism for access to the hearing in the notice of proposed rule making;

AB193,42,8 3. The text of the proposed rule and the reason therefor;

AB193,42,10 4. A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and

AB193,42,11 5. The manner in which interested persons may submit written comments.

AB193,42,14 (i) All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written comments and documents received by the commission in response to the proposed rule shall be available to the public.

AB193,42,17 (j) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this subsection.

AB193,42,20 (k) The commission shall, by majority vote of all commissioners, take final action on the proposed rule based on the rule-making record and the full text of the rule.

AB193,42,22 1. The commission may adopt changes to the proposed rule provided the changes are consistent with the original purpose of the proposed rule.

AB193,43,2 2. The commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive changes made to the proposed rule as well as reasons for substantive changes not made that were recommended by commenters.

AB193,43,6 3. The commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the rule. Except for an emergency as provided in par. (L), the effective date of the rule shall be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted or amended the rule.

AB193,43,13 (L) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with 24 hours’ notice, and with opportunity to comment, provided that the usual rule-making procedures provided in the compact and in this subsection shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:

AB193,43,14 1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

AB193,43,15 2. Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds;

AB193,43,17 3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a rule that is established by federal law or rule; or

AB193,43,18 4. Protect public health and safety.

AB193,44,4 (m) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered to the commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.

AB193,44,6 (n) No member state’s rule-making process or procedural requirements shall apply to the commission.

AB193,44,8 1. The commission shall have no authority over any member state’s rule- making process or procedural requirements that do not pertain to the compact.

AB193,44,13 (o) Nothing in this compact, nor any rule or regulation of the commission, shall be construed to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a member state to enact and enforce laws, regulations, or other rules related to the practice of respiratory therapy in that state, where those laws, regulations, or other rules are not inconsistent with the provisions of this compact.

AB193,44,17 (10) Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. (a) Oversight. 1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to implement the compact.

AB193,44,24 2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall 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. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any such similar matter.

AB193,45,5 3. The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the compact and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.

AB193,45,12 (b) Default, technical assistance, and termination. 1. If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the commission shall provide written notice to the defaulting state. The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of curing the default, and any other action that the commission may take, and shall offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

AB193,45,14 2. The commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other member states.

AB193,45,20 (c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners of the member states, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that state by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.

AB193,46,2 (d) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, the defaulting state’s respiratory therapy licensing authority and each of the member states’ respiratory therapy licensing authorities.

AB193,46,6 (e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination, if necessary.

AB193,46,11 (f) Upon the termination of a state’s membership from this compact, that state shall immediately provide notice to all licensees and compact privilege holders (of which the commission has a record) within that state of such termination. The terminated state shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to this compact for a minimum of 180 days after the date of said notice of termination.

AB193,46,14 (g) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.

AB193,46,18 (h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

AB193,46,21 (i) Dispute resolution. 1. Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember states.

AB193,46,23 2. The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.

AB193,47,11 (j) Enforcement. 1. By majority vote, as may be further provided by rule, the commission may initiate legal action against a member state in default in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules. A member state by enactment of this compact consents to venue and jurisdiction in such court for the purposes set forth herein. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or the defaulting member state’s law.

AB193,47,18 2. A member state may initiate legal action against the commission in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

AB193,47,20 3. No person other than a member state shall enforce this compact against the commission.

AB193,47,23 (11) Effective date, withdrawal, and amendment. (a) The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted into law in the 7th member state (“effective date”).

AB193,48,3 1. On or after the effective date of the compact, the commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the first 7 member states (“charter member states”) to determine if the statute enacted by each such charter member state is materially different than the model compact.

AB193,48,6 a. A charter member state whose enactment is found to be materially different from the model compact shall be entitled to the default process set forth in sub. (10).

AB193,48,10 b. If any member state is later found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from the compact, the commission shall remain in existence and the compact shall remain in effect even if the number of member states should be less than 7.

AB193,48,14 2. Member states enacting the compact subsequent to the 7 initial charter member states shall be subject to the process set forth herein and commission rule to determine if their enactments are materially different from the model compact and whether they qualify for participation in the compact.

AB193,48,22 3. All actions taken for the benefit of the commission or in furtherance of the purposes of the administration of the compact prior to the effective date of the compact or the commission coming into existence shall be considered to be actions of the commission unless specifically repudiated by the commission. The commission shall own and have all rights to any intellectual property developed on behalf or in furtherance of the commission by individuals or entities involved in organizing or establishing the commission, as may be further set forth in rules of the commission.

AB193,49,3 4. Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission’s initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws 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 shall have the full force and effect of law on the date the compact becomes law in that state.

AB193,49,5 (b) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.

AB193,49,7 1. A member state’s withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after enactment of the repealing statute.