Chapter 448

448.980(11)(a) (a) The member states hereby create the “Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission.”

448.980(11)(b) (b) The purpose of the interstate commission is the administration of the interstate medical licensure compact, which is a discretionary state function.

448.980(11)(c) (c) The interstate commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth in the compact, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of the compact.

448.980(11)(d) (d) The interstate commission shall consist of 2 voting representatives appointed by each member state who shall serve as commissioners. In states where allopathic and osteopathic physicians are regulated by separate member boards, or if the licensing and disciplinary authority is split between multiple member boards within a member state, the member state shall appoint one representative from each member board. A Commissioner shall be:

448.980(11)(d)1. 1. An allopathic or osteopathic physician appointed to a member board;

448.980(11)(d)2. 2. An executive director, executive secretary, or similar executive of a member board; or

448.980(11)(d)3. 3. A member of the public appointed to a member board.

448.980(11)(e) (e) The interstate commission shall meet at least once each calendar year. A portion of this meeting shall be a business meeting to address such matters as may properly come before the commission, including the election of officers. The chairperson may call additional meetings and shall call for a meeting upon the request of a majority of the member states.

448.980(11)(f) (f) The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.

448.980(11)(g) (g) Each commissioner participating at a meeting of the interstate commission is entitled to one vote. A majority of commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the interstate commission. A commissioner shall not delegate a vote to another commissioner. In the absence of its commissioner, a member state may delegate voting authority for a specified meeting to another person from that state who shall meet the requirements of par. (d).

448.980(11)(h) (h) The interstate commission shall provide public notice of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public. The interstate commission may close a meeting, in full or in portion, where it determines by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners present that an open meeting would be likely to:

448.980(11)(h)1. 1. Relate solely to the internal personnel practices and procedures of the interstate commission;

448.980(11)(h)2. 2. Discuss matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal statute;

448.980(11)(h)3. 3. Discuss trade secrets, commercial, or financial information that is privileged or confidential;

448.980(11)(h)4. 4. Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person;

448.980(11)(h)5. 5. Discuss information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

448.980(11)(h)6. 6. Discuss investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

448.980(11)(h)7. 7. Specifically relate to the participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

448.980(11)(i) (i) The interstate commission shall keep minutes which shall fully describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, including record of any roll call votes.

448.980(11)(j) (j) The interstate commission shall make its information and official records, to the extent not otherwise designated in the compact or by its rules, available to the public for inspection.

448.980(11)(k) (k) The interstate commission shall establish an executive committee, which shall include officers, members, and others as determined by the bylaws. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission, with the exception of rule making, during periods when the interstate commission is not in session. When acting on behalf of the interstate commission, the executive committee shall oversee the administration of the compact including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as necessary.

448.980(11)(L) (L) The interstate commission may establish other committees for governance and administration of the compact.

448.980(12) (12) Section 12 — Powers and duties of the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall have the duty and power to:

448.980(12)(a) (a) Oversee and maintain the administration of the compact;

448.980(12)(b) (b) Promulgate rules which shall be binding to the extent and in the manner provided for in the compact;

448.980(12)(c) (c) Issue, upon the request of a member state or member board, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions;

448.980(12)(d) (d) Enforce compliance with compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the interstate commission, and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means, including but not limited to the use of judicial process;

448.980(12)(e) (e) Establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by sub. (11), which shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission in carrying out its powers and duties;

448.980(12)(f) (f) Pay, or provide for the payment of the expenses related to the establishment, organization, and ongoing activities of the interstate commission;

448.980(12)(g) (g) Establish and maintain one or more offices;

448.980(12)(h) (h) Borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel;

448.980(12)(i) (i) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

448.980(12)(j) (j) Employ an executive director who shall have such powers to employ, select or appoint employees, agents, or consultants, and to determine their qualifications, define their duties, and fix their compensation;

448.980(12)(k) (k) Establish personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel;

448.980(12)(L) (L) Accept donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it in a manner consistent with the conflict of interest policies established by the interstate commission;

448.980(12)(m) (m) Lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal, or mixed;

448.980(12)(n) (n) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed;

448.980(12)(o) (o) Establish a budget and make expenditures;

448.980(12)(p) (p) Adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the interstate commission;

448.980(12)(q) (q) Report annually to the legislatures and governors of the member states concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include reports of financial audits and any recommendations that may have been adopted by the interstate commission;

448.980(12)(r) (r) Coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and its operation;

448.980(12)(s) (s) Maintain records in accordance with the bylaws;

448.980(12)(t) (t) Seek and obtain trademarks, copyrights, and patents; and

448.980(12)(u) (u) Perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact.

448.980(13) (13) Section 13 — Finance powers.

448.980(13)(a) (a) The interstate commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the interstate commission and its staff. The total assessment must be sufficient to cover the annual budget approved each year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated upon a formula to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

448.980(13)(b) (b) The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same.

448.980(13)(c) (c) The interstate commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by, and with the authority of, the member state.

448.980(13)(d) (d) The interstate commission shall be subject to a yearly financial audit conducted by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in the annual report of the interstate commission.

448.980(14) (14) Section 14 — Organization and operation of the interstate commission.

448.980(14)(a) (a) The interstate commission shall, by a majority of commissioners present and voting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact within 12 months of the first interstate commission meeting.

448.980(14)(b) (b) The interstate commission shall elect or appoint annually from among its commissioners a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson, or in the chairperson’s absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the interstate commission.

448.980(14)(c) (c) Officers selected in par. (b) shall serve without remuneration from the interstate commission.

448.980(14)(d) (d)

448.980(14)(d)1. 1. The officers and employees of the interstate commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of, or relating to, an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

448.980(14)(d)2. 2. The liability of the executive director and employees of the interstate commission or representatives of the interstate commission, acting within the scope of such person’s employment or duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person’s state, may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The interstate commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

448.980(14)(d)3. 3. The interstate commission shall defend the executive director, its employees, and subject to the approval of the attorney general or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an interstate commission representative, shall defend such interstate commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

448.980(14)(d)4. 4. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the interstate commission, the representatives or employees of the interstate commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

448.980(15) (15) Section 15 — Rule-making functions of the interstate commission.

448.980(15)(a) (a) The interstate commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the interstate commission exercises its rule-making authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.

448.980(15)(b) (b) Rules deemed appropriate for the operations of the interstate commission shall be made pursuant to a rule-making process that substantially conforms to the “Model State Administrative Procedure Act” of 2010, and subsequent amendments thereto.

448.980(15)(c) (c) Not later than 30 days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, provided that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the authority granted to the interstate commission.

448.980(16) (16) Section 16 — Oversight of interstate compact.

448.980(16)(a) (a) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce the compact and shall take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of the compact and the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory law but shall not override existing state authority to regulate the practice of medicine.

448.980(16)(b) (b) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate commission.

448.980(16)(c) (c) The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to the interstate commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, the compact, or promulgated rules.

448.980(17) (17) Section 17 — Enforcement of interstate compact.

448.980(17)(a) (a) The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of the compact.

448.980(17)(b) (b) The interstate commission may, by majority vote of the commissioners, initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. 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 fees.

448.980(17)(c) (c) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.

448.980(18) (18) Section 18 — Default procedures.

448.980(18)(a) (a) The grounds for default include, but are not limited to, failure of a member state to perform such obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by the compact, or the rules and bylaws of the interstate commission promulgated under the compact.

448.980(18)(b) (b) If the interstate commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the interstate commission shall:

448.980(18)(b)1. 1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states, of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default, and any action taken by the interstate commission. The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state must cure its default; and

448.980(18)(b)2. 2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

448.980(18)(c) (c) If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by the compact shall terminate 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 the default.

448.980(18)(d) (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 terminate shall be given by the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, and each of the member states.

448.980(18)(e) (e) The interstate commission shall establish rules and procedures to address licenses and physicians that are materially impacted by the termination of a member state, or the withdrawal of a member state.

448.980(18)(f) (f) The member state which has been terminated is responsible for all dues, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of termination.

448.980(18)(g) (g) The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating to any state that has been found to be in default or which has been terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.

448.980(18)(h) (h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney fees.

448.980(19) (19) Section 19 — Dispute resolution.

448.980(19)(a) (a) The interstate commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and which may arise among member states or member boards.

448.980(19)(b) (b) The interstate commission shall promulgate rules providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution as appropriate.

448.980(20) (20) Section 20 — Member states, effective date and amendment.

448.980(20)(a) (a) Any state is eligible to become a member state of the compact.

448.980(20)(b) (b) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 7 states. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding on a state upon enactment of the compact into law by that state.

448.980(20)(c) (c) The governors of non-member states, or their designees, shall be invited to participate in the activities of the interstate commission on a non-voting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.

448.980(20)(d) (d) The interstate commission may propose amendments to the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the interstate commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous consent of the member states.