459.34 (2) (intro.) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the examining board may reprimand a licensee, compact privilege holder, or permittee or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license or permit under this subchapter or a compact privilege if it finds that the applicant, licensee, compact privilege holder, or permittee has done any of the following:
56,27Section 27. 459.34 (2m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
459.34 (2m) (a) (intro.) An individual whose license, compact privilege, or limited permit is limited by the examining board under this subchapter may continue to practice under the license, compact privilege, or permit if the individual does all of the following:
56,28Section 28. 459.34 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
459.34 (2m) (b) The examining board may, as a condition of removing a limitation on a license, compact privilege, or limited permit issued under this subchapter or of reinstating a license, compact privilege, or limited permit that has been suspended or revoked under this subchapter, require the license, compact privilege, or permit holder to obtain minimum results specified by the examining board on one or more physical, mental, or professional competency examinations if the examining board determines that obtaining the minimum results is related to correcting one or more of the bases upon which the limitation, suspension, or revocation was imposed.
56,29Section 29. 459.34 (2m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
459.34 (2m) (c) The examining board may, as a condition of reinstating a license or compact privilege that has been suspended under this subchapter, require the license or compact privilege holder to pass an examination required for initial licensure under s. 459.26 (2).
56,30Section 30. 459.34 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
459.34 (3) In addition to or in lieu of a reprimand or denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation of a license, compact privilege, or permit under sub. (2), the examining board may assess against an applicant, licensee, compact privilege holder, or permittee a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $2,500 for each violation enumerated under sub. (2).
56,31Section 31. Subchapter III of chapter 459 [precedes 459.70] of the statutes is created to read:
CHAPTER 459
SUBCHAPTER III
AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY INTERSTATE COMPACT
459.70 Audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact. (1) Purpose. (a) The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of audiology and speech-language pathology with the goal of improving public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. The practice of audiology and speech-language pathology occurs in the state where the patient/client/student is located at the time of the patient/client/student encounter. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.
(b) This compact is designed to achieve all of the following objectives:
1. Increase public access to audiology and speech-language pathology services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses.
2. Enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety.
3. Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate audiology and speech-language pathology practice.
4. Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel.
5. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between member states.
6. Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that state’s practice standards.
7. Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to audiology and speech-language pathology services.
(2) Definitions. As used in this compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Active duty military” means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC 1209 and 1211.
(b) “Adverse action” means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action permitted by a state’s laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, including actions against an individual’s license or privilege to practice such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, or restriction on the licensee’s practice.
(c) “Alternative program” means a nondisciplinary monitoring process approved by an audiology or speech-language pathology licensing board to address impaired practitioners.
(d) “Audiologist” means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice audiology.
(e) “Audiology” means the care and services provided by a licensed audiologist as set forth in the member state’s statutes and rules.
(f) “Audiology and speech-language pathology compact commission” or “commission” means the national administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.
(g) “Audiology and speech-language pathology licensing board,” “audiology licensing board,” “speech-language pathology licensing board,” or “licensing board” means the agency of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of audiologists and/or speech-language pathologists.