88R3787 SCP-F
 
  By: Parker S.B. No. 1540
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact;
  authorizing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 454, Occupations Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER I. OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
         Sec. 454.401.  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT. The
  Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact is enacted and entered into
  with all other jurisdictions that legally join in the compact,
  which reads as follows:
  OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
  SECTION 1.  PURPOSE
         The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate
  practice of Occupational Therapy with the goal of improving public
  access to Occupational Therapy services. The Practice of
  Occupational Therapy occurs in the State where the patient/client
  is located at the time of the patient/client encounter. The Compact
  preserves the regulatory authority of States to protect public
  health and safety through the current system of State licensure.
         This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:
         A.  Increase public access to Occupational Therapy services
  by providing for the mutual recognition of other Member State
  licenses;
         B.  Enhance the States' ability to protect the public's
  health and safety;
         C.  Encourage the cooperation of Member States in regulating
  multi-State Occupational Therapy Practice;
         D.  Support spouses of relocating military members;
         E. Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and
  disciplinary information between Member States; 
         F.  Allow a Remote State to hold a provider of services with a
  Compact Privilege in that State accountable to that State's
  practice standards; and
         G.  Facilitate the use of Telehealth technology in order to
  increase access to Occupational Therapy services.
  SECTION 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
  U.S.C. Chapter 1209 and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 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
  Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant,
  including actions against an individual's license or Compact
  Privilege such as censure, revocation, suspension, probation,
  monitoring of the Licensee, or restriction on the Licensee's
  practice.
         C.  "Alternative Program" means a non-disciplinary
  monitoring process approved by an Occupational Therapy Licensing
  Board.
         D.  "Compact Privilege" means the authorization, which is
  equivalent to a license, granted by a Remote State to allow a
  Licensee from another Member State to practice as an Occupational
  Therapist or practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the
  Remote State under its laws and rules. The Practice of Occupational
  Therapy occurs in the Member State where the patient/client is
  located at the time of the patient/client encounter.
         E.  "Continuing Competence/Education" means a requirement,
  as a condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of
  participation in, and/or completion of, educational and
  professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.
         F.  "Current Significant Investigative Information" means
  Investigative Information that a Licensing Board, after an inquiry
  or investigation that includes notification and an opportunity for
  the Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant to
  respond, if required by State law, has reason to believe is not
  groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor
  infraction.
         G.  "Data System" means a repository of information about
  Licensees, including but not limited to license status,
  Investigative Information, Compact Privileges, and Adverse
  Actions.
         H.  "Encumbered License" means a license in which an Adverse
  Action restricts the Practice of Occupational Therapy by the
  Licensee or said Adverse Action has been reported to the National
  Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB).
         I.  "Executive Committee" means a group of directors elected
  or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to
  them by, the Commission.
         J.  "Home State" means the Member State that is the
  Licensee's Primary State of Residence.
         K.  "Impaired Practitioner" means individuals whose
  professional practice is adversely affected by substance abuse,
  addiction, or other health-related conditions.
         L.  "Investigative Information" means information, records,
  and/or documents received or generated by an Occupational Therapy
  Licensing Board pursuant to an investigation.
         M.  "Jurisprudence Requirement" means the assessment of an
  individual's knowledge of the laws and rules governing the Practice
  of Occupational Therapy in a State.
         N.  "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an
  authorization from the State to practice as an Occupational
  Therapist or as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
         O.  "Member State" means a State that has enacted the
  Compact.
         P.  "Occupational Therapist" means an individual who is
  licensed by a State to practice Occupational Therapy.
         Q.  "Occupational Therapy Assistant" means an individual who
  is licensed by a State to assist in the Practice of Occupational
  Therapy.
         R.  "Occupational Therapy," "Occupational Therapy
  Practice," and the "Practice of Occupational Therapy" mean the care
  and services provided by an Occupational Therapist or an
  Occupational Therapy Assistant as set forth in the Member State's
  statutes and regulations.
         S.  "Occupational Therapy Compact Commission" or
  "Commission" means the national administrative body whose
  membership consists of all States that have enacted the Compact.
         T.  "Occupational Therapy Licensing Board" or "Licensing
  Board" means the agency of a State that is authorized to license and
  regulate Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy
  Assistants.
         U.  "Primary State of Residence" means the state (also known
  as the Home State) in which an Occupational Therapist or
  Occupational Therapy Assistant who is not Active Duty Military
  declares a primary residence for legal purposes as verified by:
  driver's license, federal income tax return, lease, deed, mortgage
  or voter registration or other verifying documentation as further
  defined by Commission Rules.
         V.  "Remote State" means a Member State other than the Home
  State, where a Licensee is exercising or seeking to exercise the
  Compact Privilege.
         W.  "Rule" means a regulation promulgated by the Commission
  that has the force of law.
         X.  "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or
  territory of the United States of America that regulates the
  Practice of Occupational Therapy.
         Y.  "Single-State License" means an Occupational Therapist
  or Occupational Therapy Assistant license issued by a Member State
  that authorizes practice only within the issuing State and does not
  include a Compact Privilege in any other Member State.
         Z.  "Telehealth" means the application of telecommunication
  technology to deliver Occupational Therapy services for
  assessment, intervention and/or consultation.
  SECTION 3.  STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
         A.  To participate in the Compact, a Member State shall:
               1.  License Occupational Therapists and Occupational
  Therapy Assistants
               2.  Participate fully in the Commission's Data System,
  including but not limited to using the Commission's unique
  identifier as defined in Rules of the Commission;
               3.  Have a mechanism in place for receiving and
  investigating complaints about Licensees;
               4.  Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms
  of the Compact and Rules, of any Adverse Action or the availability
  of Investigative Information regarding a Licensee;
               5.  Implement or utilize procedures for considering the
  criminal history records of applicants for an initial Compact
  Privilege. These procedures shall include the submission of
  fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants
  for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record
  information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency
  responsible for retaining that State's criminal records;
                     a.  A Member State shall, within a time frame
  established by the Commission, require a criminal background check
  for a Licensee seeking/applying for a Compact Privilege whose
  Primary State of Residence is that Member State, by receiving the
  results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal record
  search, and shall use the results in making licensure decisions.
                     b.  Communication between a Member State, the
  Commission and among Member States regarding the verification of
  eligibility for licensure through the Compact shall not include any
  information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  relating to a federal criminal records check performed by a Member
  State under Public Law 92-544.
               6.  Comply with the Rules of the Commission;
               7.  Utilize only a recognized national examination as a
  requirement for licensure pursuant to the Rules of the Commission;
  and
               8.  Have Continuing Competence/Education requirements
  as a condition for license renewal.
         B.  A Member State shall grant the Compact Privilege to a
  Licensee holding a valid unencumbered license in another Member
  State in accordance with the terms of the Compact and Rules.
         C.  Member States may charge a fee for granting a Compact
  Privilege.
         D.  A Member State shall provide for the State's delegate to
  attend all Occupational Therapy Compact Commission meetings.
         E.  Individuals not residing in a Member State shall continue
  to be able to apply for a Member State's Single-State License as
  provided under the laws of each Member State. However, the
  Single-State License granted to these individuals shall not be
  recognized as granting the Compact Privilege in any other Member
  State. 
         F.  Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements
  established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single-State
  License.
  SECTION 4.  COMPACT PRIVILEGE
         A.  To exercise the Compact Privilege under the terms and
  provisions of the Compact, the Licensee shall:
               1.  Hold a license in the Home State;
               2.  Have a valid United States Social Security Number
  or National Practitioner Identification number;
               3.  Have no encumbrance on any State license;
               4.  Be eligible for a Compact Privilege in any Member
  State in accordance with Section 4D, F, G, and H;
               5.  Have paid all fines and completed all requirements
  resulting from any Adverse Action against any license or Compact
  Privilege, and two years have elapsed from the date of such
  completion;
               6.  Notify the Commission that the Licensee is seeking
  the Compact Privilege within a Remote State(s);
               7.  Pay any applicable fees, including any State fee,
  for the Compact Privilege;
               8.  Complete a criminal background check in accordance
  with Section 3A(5);
                     a.  The Licensee shall be responsible for the
  payment of any fee associated with the completion of a criminal
  background check. 
               9.  Meet any Jurisprudence Requirements established by
  the Remote State(s) in which the Licensee is seeking a Compact
  Privilege; and
               10.  Report to the Commission Adverse Action taken by
  any non-Member State within 30 days from the date the Adverse Action
  is taken.
         B.  The Compact Privilege is valid until the expiration date
  of the Home State license. The Licensee must comply with the
  requirements of Section 4A to maintain the Compact Privilege in the
  Remote State.
         C.  A Licensee providing Occupational Therapy in a Remote
  State under the Compact Privilege shall function within the laws
  and regulations of the Remote State.
         D.  Occupational Therapy Assistants practicing in a Remote
  State shall be supervised by an Occupational Therapist licensed or
  holding a Compact Privilege in that Remote State.
         E.  A Licensee providing Occupational Therapy in a Remote
  State is subject to that State's regulatory authority. A Remote
  State may, in accordance with due process and that State's laws,
  remove a Licensee's Compact Privilege in the Remote State for a
  specific period of time, impose fines, and/or take any other
  necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens.
  The Licensee may be ineligible for a Compact Privilege in any State
  until the specific time for removal has passed and all fines are
  paid.
         F.  If a Home State license is encumbered, the Licensee shall
  lose the Compact Privilege in any Remote State until the following
  occur:
               1.  The Home State license is no longer encumbered; and
               2.  Two years have elapsed from the date on which the
  Home State license is no longer encumbered in accordance with
  Section 4(F)(1). 
         G.  Once an Encumbered License in the Home State is restored
  to good standing, the Licensee must meet the requirements of
  Section 4A to obtain a Compact Privilege in any Remote State.
         H.  If a Licensee's Compact Privilege in any Remote State is
  removed, the individual may lose the Compact Privilege in any other
  Remote State until the following occur:
               1.  The specific period of time for which the Compact
  Privilege was removed has ended;
               2.  All fines have been paid and all conditions have
  been met; 
               3.  Two years have elapsed from the date of completing
  requirements for 4(H)(1) and (2); and
               4.  The Compact Privileges are reinstated by the
  Commission, and the compact Data System is updated to reflect
  reinstatement.
         I.  If a Licensee's Compact Privilege in any Remote State is
  removed due to an erroneous charge, privileges shall be restored
  through the compact Data System.
         J.  Once the requirements of Section 4H have been met, the
  Licensee must meet the requirements in Section 4A to obtain a
  Compact Privilege in a Remote State.
  SECTION 5: OBTAINING A NEW HOME STATE LICENSE BY VIRTUE OF COMPACT
  PRIVILEGE 
         A.  An Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant may hold a Home State license, which allows for Compact
  Privileges in Member States, in only one Member State at a time.
         B.  If an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant changes Primary State of Residence by moving between two
  Member States:
               1.  The Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant shall file an application for obtaining a new Home State
  license by virtue of a Compact Privilege, pay all applicable fees,
  and notify the current and new Home State in accordance with
  applicable Rules adopted by the Commission.
               2.  Upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new
  Home State license by virtue of compact privilege, the new Home
  State shall verify that the Occupational Therapist or Occupational
  Therapy Assistant meets the pertinent criteria outlined in Section
  4 via the Data System, without need for primary source verification
  except for:
                     a.  an FBI fingerprint based criminal background
  check if not previously performed or updated pursuant to applicable
  Rules adopted by the Commission in accordance with Public Law
  92-544;
                     b.  other criminal background check as required by
  the new Home State; and
                     c.  submission of any requisite Jurisprudence
  Requirements of the new Home State.
               3.  The former Home State shall convert the former Home
  State license into a Compact Privilege once the new Home State has
  activated the new Home State license in accordance with applicable
  Rules adopted by the Commission.
               4.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
  Compact, if the Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant cannot meet the criteria in Section 4, the new Home State
  shall apply its requirements for issuing a new Single-State
  License.
               5.  The Occupational Therapist or the Occupational
  Therapy Assistant shall pay all applicable fees to the new Home
  State in order to be issued a new Home State license. 
         C.  If an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant changes Primary State of Residence by moving from a
  Member State to a non-Member State, or from a non-Member State to a
  Member State, the State criteria shall apply for issuance of a
  Single-State License in the new State.
         D.  Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a Licensee's
  ability to hold a Single-State License in multiple States; however,
  for the purposes of this compact, a Licensee shall have only one
  Home State license.
         E.  Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements
  established by a Member State for the issuance of a Single-State
  License.
  SECTION 6.  ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR THEIR SPOUSES
         A.  Active Duty Military personnel, or their spouses, shall
  designate a Home State where the individual has a current license in
  good standing. The individual may retain the Home State designation
  during the period the service member is on active duty. Subsequent
  to designating a Home State, the individual shall only change their
  Home State through application for licensure in the new State or
  through the process described in Section 5.
  SECTION 7.  ADVERSE ACTIONS
         A.  A Home State shall have exclusive power to impose Adverse
  Action against an Occupational Therapist's or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant's license issued by the Home State.
         B.  In addition to the other powers conferred by State law, a
  Remote State shall have the authority, in accordance with existing
  State due process law, to:
               1.  Take Adverse Action against an Occupational
  Therapist's or Occupational Therapy Assistant's Compact Privilege
  within that Member State.
               2.  Issue subpoenas for both hearings and
  investigations that require the attendance and testimony of
  witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued
  by a Licensing Board in a Member State for the attendance and
  testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another
  Member State shall be enforced in the latter State by any court of
  competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of
  that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending
  before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel
  expenses, mileage and other fees required by the service statutes
  of the State in which the witnesses or evidence are located.
         C.  For purposes of taking Adverse Action, the Home State
  shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct
  received from a Member State as it would if the conduct had occurred
  within the Home State. In so doing, the Home State shall apply its
  own State laws to determine appropriate action.
         D.  The Home State shall complete any pending investigations
  of an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant who
  changes Primary State of Residence during the course of the
  investigations. The Home State, where the investigations were
  initiated, shall also have the authority to take appropriate
  action(s) and shall promptly report the conclusions of the
  investigations to the OT Compact Commission Data System. The
  Occupational Therapy Compact Commission Data System administrator
  shall promptly notify the new Home State of any Adverse Actions.
         E.  A Member State, if otherwise permitted by State law, may
  recover from the affected Occupational Therapist or Occupational
  Therapy Assistant the costs of investigations and disposition of
  cases resulting from any Adverse Action taken against that
  Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant.
         F.  A Member State may take Adverse Action based on the
  factual findings of the Remote State, provided that the Member
  State follows its own procedures for taking the Adverse Action.
         G.  Joint Investigations
               1.  In addition to the authority granted to a Member
  State by its respective State Occupational Therapy laws and
  regulations or other applicable State law, any Member State may
  participate with other Member States in joint investigations of
  Licensees.
               2.  Member States shall share any investigative,
  litigation, or compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or
  individual investigation initiated under the Compact.
         H.  If an Adverse Action is taken by the Home State against an
  Occupational Therapist's or Occupational Therapy Assistant's
  license, the Occupational Therapist's or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant's Compact Privilege in all other Member States shall be
  deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the State
  license. All Home State disciplinary orders that impose Adverse
  Action against an Occupational Therapist's or Occupational Therapy
  Assistant's license shall include a Statement that the Occupational
  Therapist's or Occupational Therapy Assistant's Compact Privilege
  is deactivated in all Member States during the pendency of the
  order.
         I.  If a Member State takes Adverse Action, it shall promptly
  notify the administrator of the Data System. The administrator of
  the Data System shall promptly notify the Home State of any Adverse
  Actions by Remote States.
         J.  Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State's
  decision that participation in an Alternative Program may be used
  in lieu of Adverse Action.
  SECTION 8.  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COMPACT
  COMMISSION.
         A.  The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a
  joint public agency known as the Occupational Therapy Compact
  Commission:
               1.  The Commission is an instrumentality of the Compact
  States.
               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.
               3.  Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a
  waiver of sovereign immunity.
         B.  Membership, Voting, and Meetings
               1.  Each Member State shall have and be limited to one
  (1) delegate selected by that Member State's Licensing Board.
               2.  The delegate shall be either: 
                     a.  A current member of the Licensing Board, who
  is an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant, or
  public member; or 
                     b.  An administrator of the Licensing Board.
               3.  Any delegate may be removed or suspended from
  office as provided by the law of the State from which the delegate
  is appointed.
               4.  The Member State board shall fill any vacancy
  occurring in the Commission within 90 days.
               5.  Each delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote with
  regard to the promulgation of Rules and creation of bylaws and shall
  otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and
  affairs of the Commission. A delegate shall vote in person or by
  such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide
  for delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or other
  means of communication.
               6.  The Commission shall meet at least once during each
  calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the
  bylaws.
               7.  The Commission shall establish by Rule a term of
  office for delegates.
         C.  The Commission shall have the following powers and
  duties:
               1.  Establish a Code of Ethics for the Commission;
               2.  Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;
               3.  Establish bylaws;
               4.  Maintain its financial records in accordance with
  the bylaws;
               5.  Meet and take such actions as are consistent with
  the provisions of this Compact and the bylaws;
               6.  Promulgate uniform Rules to facilitate and
  coordinate implementation and administration of this Compact. The
  Rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in
  all Member States;
               7.  Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in
  the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any State
  Occupational Therapy Licensing Board to sue or be sued under
  applicable law shall not be affected;
               8.  Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
               9.  Borrow, accept, or contract for services of
  personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a Member
  State;
               10.  Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix
  compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate
  authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and establish
  the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to
  conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other
  related personnel matters;
               11.  Accept any and all appropriate donations and
  grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and
  receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at all times
  the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or
  conflict of interest;
               12.  Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or
  donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve or use, any property,
  real, personal or mixed; provided that at all times the Commission
  shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
               13.  Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange,
  abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or
  mixed;
               14.  Establish a budget and make expenditures;
               15.  Borrow money;
               16.  Appoint committees, including standing committees
  composed of members, State regulators, State legislators or their
  representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other
  interested persons as may be designated in this Compact and the
  bylaws;
               17.  Provide and receive information from, and
  cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
               18.  Establish and elect an Executive Committee; and
               19.  Perform such other functions as may be necessary
  or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Compact consistent
  with the State regulation of Occupational Therapy licensure and
  practice.
         D.  The Executive Committee
  The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the
  Commission according to the terms of this Compact.
               1.  The Executive Committee shall be composed of nine
  members:
                     a.  Seven voting members who are elected by the
  Commission from the current membership of the Commission;
                     b.  One ex-officio, nonvoting member from a
  recognized national Occupational Therapy professional association;
  and
                     c.  One ex-officio, nonvoting member from a
  recognized national Occupational Therapy certification
  organization.
               2.  The ex-officio members will be selected by their
  respective organizations.
               3.  The Commission may remove any member of the
  Executive Committee as provided in bylaws.
               4.  The Executive Committee shall meet at least
  annually.
               5.  The Executive Committee shall have the following
  Duties and responsibilities:
                     a.  Recommend to the entire Commission changes to
  the Rules or bylaws, changes to this Compact legislation, fees paid
  by Compact Member States such as annual dues, and any Commission
  Compact fee charged to Licensees for the Compact Privilege;
                     b.  Ensure Compact administration services are
  appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise;
                     c.  Prepare and recommend the budget;
                     d.  Maintain financial records on behalf of the
  Commission;
                     e.  Monitor Compact compliance of Member States
  and provide compliance reports to the Commission;
                     f.  Establish additional committees as necessary;
  and
                     g.  Perform other duties as provided in Rules or
  bylaws.
         E.  Meetings of the Commission
               1.  All meetings shall be open to the public, and public
  notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required
  under the Rulemaking provisions in Section 10.
               2.  The Commission or the Executive Committee or other
  committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, non-public
  meeting if the Commission or Executive Committee or other
  committees of the Commission must discuss:
                     a.  Non-compliance of a Member State with its
  obligations under the Compact;
                     b.  The employment, compensation, discipline or
  other matters, practices or procedures related to specific
  employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal
  personnel practices and procedures;
                     c.  Current, threatened, or reasonably
  anticipated litigation;
                     d.  Negotiation of contracts for the purchase,
  lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate;
                     e.  Accusing any person of a crime or formally
  censuring any person;
                     f.  Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or
  financial information that is privileged or confidential;
                     g.  Disclosure of information of a personal nature
  where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
  personal privacy;
                     h.  Disclosure of investigative records compiled
  for law enforcement purposes;
                     i.  Disclosure of 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; or
                     j.  Matters specifically exempted from disclosure
  by federal or Member State statute.
               3.  If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed
  pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or
  designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall
  reference each relevant exempting provision.
               4.  The Commission shall keep minutes that fully and
  clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
  provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the
  reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed.
  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 by a majority
  vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent
  jurisdiction.
         F.  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.
               2.  The Commission may accept any and all appropriate
  revenue sources, donations, and grants of money, equipment,
  supplies, materials, and services.
               3.  The Commission may levy on and collect an annual
  assessment from each Member State or impose fees on other parties to
  cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission
  and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover
  its annual budget as approved by the Commission each year for which
  revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual
  assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be
  determined by the Commission, which shall promulgate a Rule binding
  upon all Member States.
               4.  The Commission shall not incur obligations of any
  kind prior to securing the funds 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.
               5.  The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
  receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the
  Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures
  established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and
  disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall be audited
  yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report
  of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual
  report of the Commission.
         G.  Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification
               1.  The members, officers, executive director,
  employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune
  from suit and liability, either personally or 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 paragraph
  shall be construed to protect any such person from suit and/or
  liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the
  intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
               2.  The Commission shall defend any member, officer,
  executive director, employee, or representative 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
  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
  his or her own counsel; 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.
               3.  The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless
  any member, officer, executive director, employee, or
  representative 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.
  SECTION 9.  DATA SYSTEM
         A.  The Commission shall provide for the development,
  maintenance, and utilization of a coordinated database and
  reporting system containing licensure, Adverse Action, and
  Investigative Information on all licensed individuals in Member
  States.
         B.  A Member State shall submit a uniform data set to the Data
  System on all individuals to whom this Compact is applicable
  (utilizing a unique identifier) as required by the Rules of the
  Commission, including:
               1.  Identifying information;
               2.  Licensure data;
               3.  Adverse Actions against a license or Compact
  Privilege;
               4.  Non-confidential information related to
  Alternative Program participation;
               5.  Any denial of application for licensure, and the
  reason(s) for such denial; 
               6.  Other information that may facilitate the
  administration of this Compact, as determined by the Rules of the
  Commission; and
               7.  Current Significant Investigative Information.
         C.  Current Significant Investigative Information and other
  Investigative Information pertaining to a Licensee in any Member
  State will only be available to other Member States.
         D.  The Commission shall promptly notify all Member States of
  any Adverse Action taken against a Licensee or an individual
  applying for a license. Adverse Action information pertaining to a
  Licensee in any Member State will be available to any other Member
  State.
         E.  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.
         F.  Any information submitted to the Data System that is
  subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the Member State
  contributing the information shall be removed from the Data System.
  SECTION 10.  RULEMAKING
         A.  The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers
  pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Section and the Rules
  adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of
  the date specified in each Rule or amendment.
         B.  The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in
  order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the
  Compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Commission
  exercises its rulemaking 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 Commission shall be invalid
  and have no force and effect.
         C.  If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States
  rejects 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.
         D.  Rules or amendments to the Rules shall be adopted at a
  regular or special meeting of the Commission.
         E.  Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final Rule or
  Rules by the Commission, and at least thirty (30) days in advance of
  the meeting at which the Rule will be considered and voted upon, the
  Commission shall file a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
               1.  On the website of the Commission or other publicly
  accessible platform; and
               2.  On the website of each Member State Occupational
  Therapy Licensing Board or other publicly accessible platform or
  the publication in which each State would otherwise publish
  proposed Rules.
         F.  The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:
               1.  The proposed time, date, and location of the
  meeting in which the Rule will be considered and voted upon;
               2.  The text of the proposed Rule or amendment and the
  reason for the proposed Rule;
               3.  A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any
  interested person; and
               4.  The manner in which interested persons may submit
  notice to the Commission of their intention to attend the public
  hearing and any written comments.
         G.  Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission
  shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions, and
  arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
         H.  The Commission shall grant an opportunity for a public
  hearing before it adopts a Rule or amendment if a hearing is
  requested by:
               1.  At least twenty five (25) persons;
               2.  A State or federal governmental subdivision or
  agency; or
               3.  An association or organization having at least
  twenty five (25) members.
         I.  If a hearing is held on the proposed Rule or amendment,
  the Commission shall publish the place, time, and date of the
  scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is held via electronic
  means, the Commission shall publish the mechanism for access to the
  electronic hearing.
               1.  All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall
  notify the executive director of the Commission or other designated
  member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the
  hearing not less than five (5) business days before the scheduled
  date of the hearing.
               2.  Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing
  each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity
  to comment orally or in writing.
               3.  All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the
  recording will be made available on request.
               4.  Nothing in this section 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
  section.
         J.  Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of
  business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held,
  the Commission shall consider all written and oral comments
  received.
         K.  If no written notice of intent to attend the public
  hearing by interested parties is received, the Commission may
  proceed with promulgation of the proposed Rule without a public
  hearing.
         L.  The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members,
  take final action on the proposed Rule and shall determine the
  effective date of the Rule, if any, based on the Rulemaking record
  and the full text of the Rule.
         M.  Upon determination that an emergency exists, the
  Commission may consider and adopt an emergency Rule without prior
  notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing, provided that the
  usual Rulemaking procedures provided in the Compact and in this
  section shall be retroactively applied to the Rule as soon as
  reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (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:
               1.  Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety,
  or welfare;
               2.  Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;
               3.  Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an
  administrative Rule that is established by federal law or Rule; or
               4.  Protect public health and safety.
         N.  The Commission or an authorized committee of the
  Commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted Rule or
  amendment 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 thirty (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 chair of 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.
  SECTION 11.  OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
         A.  Oversight
               1.  The executive, legislative, and judicial branches
  of State government in each Member State shall enforce this Compact
  and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the
  Compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact and
  the Rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory
  law.
               2.  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 this Compact
  which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the
  Commission.
               3.  The Commission shall be entitled to receive service
  of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to
  intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide
  service of process to the Commission shall render a judgment or
  order void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated
  Rules.
         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:
                     a.  Provide written notice to the defaulting State
  and other Member States of the nature of the default, the proposed
  means of curing the default and/or any other action to be taken by
  the Commission; and
                     b.  Provide remedial training and specific
  technical assistance regarding the default.
               2.  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 Member States, and all rights,
  privileges and benefits conferred 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.
               3.  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, and each of the
  Member States.
               4.  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.
               5.  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.
               6.  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 member shall be awarded all costs
  of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
         C.  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 non-Member States.
               2.  The Commission shall promulgate a Rule providing
  for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as
  appropriate.
         D.  Enforcement
               1.  The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its
  discretion, shall enforce the provisions and Rules of this Compact.
               2.  By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal
  action in the United States District Court for the District of
  Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its
  principal offices against a Member State in default to enforce
  compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated
  Rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive
  relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary,
  the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such
  litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
               3.  The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive
  remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other
  remedies available under federal or State law.
  SECTION 12.  DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION
  FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED RULES,
  WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT
         A.  The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which
  the Compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth Member State.
  The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be
  limited to the powers granted to the Commission relating to
  assembly and the promulgation of Rules. Thereafter, the Commission
  shall meet and exercise Rulemaking powers necessary to the
  implementation and administration of the Compact.
         B.  Any State that joins the Compact subsequent to the
  Commission's initial adoption of the Rules shall be subject to the
  Rules 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 day
  the Compact becomes law in that State.
         C.  Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by
  enacting a statute repealing the same.
               1.  A Member State's withdrawal shall not take effect
  until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.
               2.  Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing
  requirement of the withdrawing State's Occupational Therapy
  Licensing Board to comply with the investigative and Adverse Action
  reporting requirements of this act prior to the effective date of
  withdrawal.
         D.  Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to
  invalidate or prevent any Occupational Therapy licensure agreement
  or other cooperative arrangement between a Member State and a
  non-Member State that does not conflict with the provisions of this
  Compact.
         E.  This Compact may be amended by the Member States. No
  amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon
  any Member State until it is enacted into the laws of all Member
  States.
  SECTION 13.  CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
         This Compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate
  the purposes thereof. The provisions of this Compact shall be
  severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this
  Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any Member
  State or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any
  government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the
  validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability
  thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall
  not be affected thereby. If this Compact shall be held contrary to
  the constitution of any Member State, the Compact shall remain in
  full force and effect as to the remaining Member States and in full
  force and effect as to the Member State affected as to all severable
  matters.
  SECTION 14.  BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS
         A.  A Licensee providing Occupational Therapy in a Remote
  State under the Compact Privilege shall function within the laws
  and regulations of the Remote State.
         B.  Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law
  of a Member State that is not inconsistent with the Compact.
         C.  Any laws in a Member State in conflict with the Compact
  are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
         D.  Any lawful actions of the Commission, including all Rules
  and bylaws promulgated by the Commission, are binding upon the
  Member States.
         E.  All agreements between the Commission and the Member
  States are binding in accordance with their terms.
         F.  In the event any provision of the Compact exceeds the
  constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any Member
  State, the provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the
  conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that
  Member State.
         Sec. 454.402.  ADMINISTRATION OF COMPACT. The board is the
  Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact administrator for this
  state.
         Sec. 454.403.  RULES. The board may adopt rules necessary to
  implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.