1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health care; establishing the occupational therapist licensure compact;
1.3 	proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [148.645] OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT.
1.6 	ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE
1.7 	The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy 
1.8 	with the goal of improving public access to occupational therapy services. The practice of 
1.9 	occupational therapy occurs in the state where the patient or client is located at the time of 
1.10 	the patient or client encounter. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to 
1.11 	protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.
1.12 	This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:
1.13 	(A) increase public access to occupational therapy services by providing for the mutual 
1.14 	recognition of other member state licenses;
1.15 	(B) enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety;
1.16 	(C) encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate occupational 
1.17 	therapy practice;
1.18 	(D) support spouses of relocating military members;
1.19 	(E) enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information 
1.20 	between member states;
2.1 	(F) allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that 
2.2 	state accountable to that state's practice standards; and
2.3 	(G) facilitate the use of telehealth technology in order to increase access to occupational 
2.4 	therapy services.
2.5 	ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS
2.6 	As used in this compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions 
2.7 	shall apply:
2.8 	(A) "Active duty military" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service 
2.9 	of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty 
2.10 	orders pursuant to United States Code, title 10, sections 1209 and 1211.
2.11 	(B) "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, equitable, or criminal action 
2.12 	permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against 
2.13 	an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, including actions against an 
2.14 	individual's license or compact privilege such as censure, revocation, suspension, probation, 
2.15 	monitoring of the licensee, or restriction on the licensee's practice.
2.16 	(C) "Alternative program" means a nondisciplinary monitoring process approved by an 
2.17 	occupational therapy licensing board.
2.18 	(D) "Compact privilege" means the authorization, which is equivalent to a license, 
2.19 	granted by a remote state to allow a licensee from another member state to practice as an 
2.20 	occupational therapist or practice as an occupational therapy assistant in the remote state 
2.21 	under its laws and rules. The practice of occupational therapy occurs in the member state 
2.22 	where the patient or client is located at the time of the patient or client encounter.
2.23 	(E) "Continuing competence" or "continuing education" means a requirement, as a 
2.24 	condition of license renewal, to provide evidence of participation in, or completion of, 
2.25 	educational and professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.
2.26 	(F) "Current significant investigative information" means investigative information that 
2.27 	a licensing board, after an inquiry or investigation that includes notification and an 
2.28 	opportunity for the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant to respond, if 
2.29 	required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proven true, would 
2.30 	indicate more than a minor infraction.
2.31 	(G) "Data system" means a repository of information about licensees, including but not 
2.32 	limited to license status, investigative information, compact privileges, and adverse actions.
3.1 	(H) "Encumbered license" means a license in which an adverse action restricts the 
3.2 	practice of occupational therapy by the licensee or said adverse action has been reported to 
3.3 	the National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB).
3.4 	(I) "Executive committee" means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on 
3.5 	behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.
3.6 	(J) "Home state" means the member state that is the licensee's primary state of residence.
3.7 	(K) "Impaired practitioner" means an individual whose professional practice is adversely 
3.8 	affected by substance abuse, addiction, or other health-related conditions.
3.9 	(L) "Investigative information" means information, records, or documents received or 
3.10 	generated by an occupational therapy licensing board pursuant to an investigation.
3.11 	(M) "Jurisprudence requirement" means the assessment of an individual's knowledge 
3.12 	of the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy in a state.
3.13 	(N) "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an authorization from the state 
3.14 	to practice as an occupational therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant.
3.15 	(O) "Member state" means a state that has enacted the compact.
3.16 	(P) "Occupational therapist" means an individual who is licensed by a state to practice 
3.17 	occupational therapy.
3.18 	(Q) "Occupational therapy assistant" means an individual who is licensed by a state to 
3.19 	assist in the practice of occupational therapy.
3.20 	(R) "Occupational therapy," "occupational therapy practice," and "the practice of 
3.21 	occupational therapy" mean the care and services provided by an occupational therapist or 
3.22 	an occupational therapy assistant as set forth in the member state's statutes and regulations.
3.23 	(S) "Occupational therapy compact commission" or "commission" means the national 
3.24 	administrative body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.
3.25 	(T) "Occupational therapy licensing board" or "licensing board" means the agency of a 
3.26 	state that is authorized to license and regulate occupational therapists and occupational 
3.27 	therapy assistants.
3.28 	(U) "Primary state of residence" means the state, also known as the home state, in which 
3.29 	an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who is not active duty military 
3.30 	declares a primary residence for legal purposes as verified by driver's license, federal income 
3.31 	tax return, lease, deed, mortgage, or voter registration or other verifying documentation as 
3.32 	further defined by commission rules.
4.1 	(V) "Remote state" means a member state other than the home state where a licensee is 
4.2 	exercising or seeking to exercise the compact privilege.
4.3 	(W) "Rule" means a regulation promulgated by the commission that has the force of 
4.4 	law.
4.5 	(X) "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States 
4.6 	of America that regulates the practice of occupational therapy.
4.7 	(Y) "Single-state license" means an occupational therapist or occupational therapy 
4.8 	assistant license issued by a member state that authorizes practice only within the issuing 
4.9 	state and does not include a compact privilege in any other member state.
4.10 	(Z) "Telehealth" means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver 
4.11 	occupational therapy services for assessment, intervention, or consultation.
4.12 	ARTICLE 3. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT
4.13 	(A) To participate in the compact, a member state shall:
4.14 	(1) license occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants;
4.15 	(2) participate fully in the commission's data system, including but not limited to using 
4.16 	the commission's unique identifier as defined in rules of the commission;
4.17 	(3) have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees;
4.18 	(4) notify the commission, in compliance with the terms of the compact and rules, of 
4.19 	any adverse action or the availability of investigative information regarding a licensee;
4.20 	(5) implement or utilize procedures for considering the criminal history records of 
4.21 	applicants for an initial compact privilege. These procedures shall include the submission 
4.22 	of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining 
4.23 	an applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
4.24 	and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records;
4.25 	(i) A member state shall, within a time frame established by the commission, require a 
4.26 	criminal background check for a licensee seeking or applying for a compact privilege whose 
4.27 	primary state of residence is that member state by receiving the results of the Federal Bureau 
4.28 	of Investigation criminal record search, and shall use the results in making licensure 
4.29 	decisions.
4.30 	(ii) Communication between a member state, the commission, and among member states 
4.31 	regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the compact shall not include 
5.1 	any information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a federal 
5.2 	criminal records check performed by a member state under Public Law 92-544;
5.3 	(6) comply with the rules of the commission;
5.4 	(7) utilize only a recognized national examination as a requirement for licensure pursuant 
5.5 	to the rules of the commission; and
5.6 	(8) have continuing competence or education requirements as a condition for license 
5.7 	renewal.
5.8 	(B) A member state shall grant the compact privilege to a licensee holding a valid 
5.9 	unencumbered license in another member state in accordance with the terms of the compact 
5.10 	and rules.
5.11 	(C) Member states may charge a fee for granting a compact privilege.
5.12 	(D) A member state shall provide for the state's delegate to attend all occupational therapy 
5.13 	compact commission meetings.
5.14 	(E) Individuals not residing in a member state shall continue to be able to apply for a 
5.15 	member state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each member state. 
5.16 	However, the single-state license granted to these individuals shall not be recognized as 
5.17 	granting the compact privilege in any other member state.
5.18 	(F) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state 
5.19 	for the issuance of a single-state license.
5.20 	ARTICLE 4. COMPACT PRIVILEGE
5.21 	(A) To exercise the compact privilege under the terms and provisions of the compact, 
5.22 	the licensee shall:
5.23 	(1) hold a license in the home state;
5.24 	(2) have a valid United States Social Security number or national practitioner 
5.25 	identification number;
5.26 	(3) have no encumbrance on any state license;
5.27 	(4) be eligible for a compact privilege in any member state in accordance with Article 
5.28 	4(D), (F), (G), and (H);
5.29 	(5) have paid all fines and completed all requirements resulting from any adverse action 
5.30 	against any license or compact privilege, and two years have elapsed from the date of such 
5.31 	completion;
6.1 	(6) notify the commission that the licensee is seeking the compact privilege within a 
6.2 	remote state or states;
6.3 	(7) pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the compact privilege;
6.4 	(8) complete a criminal background check in accordance with Article 3(A)(5). The 
6.5 	licensee shall be responsible for the payment of any fee associated with the completion of 
6.6 	a criminal background check;
6.7 	(9) meet any jurisprudence requirements established by the remote state or states in 
6.8 	which the licensee is seeking a compact privilege; and
6.9 	(10) report to the commission adverse action taken by any nonmember state within 30 
6.10 	days from the date the adverse action is taken.
6.11 	(B) The compact privilege is valid until the expiration date of the home state license. 
6.12 	The licensee must comply with the requirements of Article 4(A) to maintain the compact 
6.13 	privilege in the remote state.
6.14 	(C) A licensee providing occupational therapy in a remote state under the compact 
6.15 	privilege shall function within the laws and regulations of the remote state.
6.16 	(D) Occupational therapy assistants practicing in a remote state shall be supervised by 
6.17 	an occupational therapist licensed or holding a compact privilege in that remote state.
6.18 	(E) A licensee providing occupational therapy in a remote state is subject to that state's 
6.19 	regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state's 
6.20 	laws, remove a licensee's compact privilege in the remote state for a specific period of time, 
6.21 	impose fines, or take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its 
6.22 	citizens. The licensee may be ineligible for a compact privilege in any state until the specific 
6.23 	time for removal has passed and all fines are paid.
6.24 	(F) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee shall lose the compact privilege 
6.25 	in any remote state until the following occur:
6.26 	(1) the home state license is no longer encumbered; and
6.27 	(2) two years have elapsed from the date on which the home state license is no longer 
6.28 	encumbered in accordance with Article 4(F)(1).
6.29 	(G) Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, the 
6.30 	licensee must meet the requirements of Article 4(A) to obtain a compact privilege in any 
6.31 	remote state.
7.1 	(H) If a licensee's compact privilege in any remote state is removed, the individual may 
7.2 	lose the compact privilege in any other remote state until the following occur:
7.3 	(1) the specific period of time for which the compact privilege was removed has ended;
7.4 	(2) all fines have been paid and all conditions have been met;
7.5 	(3) two years have elapsed from the date of completing requirements for Article 4(H)(1) 
7.6 	and (2); and
7.7 	(4) the compact privileges are reinstated by the commission and the compact data system 
7.8 	is updated to reflect reinstatement.
7.9 	(I) If a licensee's compact privilege in any remote state is removed due to an erroneous 
7.10 	charge, privileges shall be restored through the compact data system.
7.11 	(J) Once the requirements of Article 4(H) have been met, the licensee must meet the 
7.12 	requirements in Article 4(A) to obtain a compact privilege in a remote state.
7.13 	ARTICLE 5. OBTAINING A NEW HOME STATE LICENSE BY VIRTUE OF 
7.14 	COMPACT PRIVILEGE
7.15 	(A) An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant may hold a home state 
7.16 	license, which allows for compact privileges in member states, in only one member state 
7.17 	at a time.
7.18 	(B) If an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant changes their primary 
7.19 	state of residence by moving between two member states:
7.20 	(1) the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant shall file an application 
7.21 	for obtaining a new home state license by virtue of a compact privilege, pay all applicable 
7.22 	fees, and notify the current and new home state in accordance with applicable rules adopted 
7.23 	by the commission;
7.24 	(2) upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new home state license by virtue of 
7.25 	compact privilege, the new home state shall verify that the occupational therapist or 
7.26 	occupational therapy assistant meets the pertinent criteria outlined in Article 4 via the data 
7.27 	system, without need for primary source verification except for:
7.28 	(i) an FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check if not previously performed or 
7.29 	updated pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission in accordance with Public 
7.30 	Law 92-544;
7.31 	(ii) other criminal background checks as required by the new home state; and
8.1 	(iii) submission of any requisite jurisprudence requirements of the new home state;
8.2 	(3) the former home state shall convert the former home state license into a compact 
8.3 	privilege once the new home state has activated the new home state license in accordance 
8.4 	with applicable rules adopted by the commission;
8.5 	(4) notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, if the occupational therapist or 
8.6 	occupational therapy assistant cannot meet the criteria in Article 4, the new home state shall 
8.7 	apply its requirements for issuing a new single-state license; and
8.8 	(5) the occupational therapist or the occupational therapy assistant shall pay all applicable 
8.9 	fees to the new home state in order to be issued a new home state license.
8.10 	(C) If an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant changes their primary 
8.11 	state of residence by moving from a member state to a nonmember state, or from a 
8.12 	nonmember state to a member state, the state criteria shall apply for issuance of a single-state 
8.13 	license in the new state.
8.14 	(D) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a licensee's ability to hold a single-state 
8.15 	license in multiple states; however, for the purposes of this compact, a licensee shall have 
8.16 	only one home state license.
8.17 	(E) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state 
8.18 	for the issuance of a single-state license.
8.19 	ARTICLE 6. ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL OR THEIR SPOUSES
8.20 	Active duty military personnel, or their spouses, shall designate a home state where the 
8.21 	individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain the home state 
8.22 	designation during the period the service member is on active duty. Subsequent to designating 
8.23 	a home state, the individual shall only change their home state through application for 
8.24 	licensure in the new state or through the process described in Article 5.
8.25 	ARTICLE 7. ADVERSE ACTIONS
8.26 	(A) A home state shall have exclusive power to impose adverse action against an 
8.27 	occupational therapist's or occupational therapy assistant's license issued by the home state.
8.28 	(B) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state shall have the 
8.29 	authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to:
8.30 	(1) take adverse action against an occupational therapist's or occupational therapy 
8.31 	assistant's compact privilege within that member state; and
9.1 	(2) issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and 
9.2 	testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a licensing 
9.3 	board in a member state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of 
9.4 	evidence from another member state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of 
9.5 	competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to 
9.6 	subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before that court. The issuing authority shall pay 
9.7 	any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes 
9.8 	of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located.
9.9 	(C) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same priority 
9.10 	and effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the conduct had 
9.11 	occurred within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws 
9.12 	to determine appropriate action.
9.13 	(D) The home state shall complete any pending investigations of an occupational therapist 
9.14 	or occupational therapy assistant who changes their primary state of residence during the 
9.15 	course of the investigations. The home state, where the investigations were initiated, shall 
9.16 	also have the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the conclusions 
9.17 	of the investigations to the compact commission data system. The occupational therapy 
9.18 	compact commission data system administrator shall promptly notify the new home state 
9.19 	of any adverse actions.
9.20 	(E) A member state, if otherwise permitted by state law, may recover from the affected 
9.21 	occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant the costs of investigations and 
9.22 	disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that occupational 
9.23 	therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
9.24 	(F) A member state may take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote 
9.25 	state, provided that the member state follows its own procedures for taking the adverse 
9.26 	action.
9.27 	(G) Joint Investigations:
9.28 	(1) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective state 
9.29 	occupational therapy laws and regulations or other applicable state law, any member state 
9.30 	may participate with other member states in joint investigations of licensees.
9.31 	(2) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in 
9.32 	furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact.
10.1 	(H) If an adverse action is taken by the home state against an occupational therapist's 
10.2 	or occupational therapy assistant's license, the occupational therapist's or occupational 
10.3 	therapy assistant's compact privilege in all other member states shall be deactivated until 
10.4 	all encumbrances have been removed from the state license. All home state disciplinary 
10.5 	orders that impose adverse action against an occupational therapist's or occupational therapy 
10.6 	assistant's license shall include a statement that the occupational therapist's or occupational 
10.7 	therapy assistant's compact privilege is deactivated in all member states during the pendency 
10.8 	of the order.
10.9 	(I) If a member state takes adverse action, the member state shall promptly notify the 
10.10 	administrator of the data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify 
10.11 	the home state of any adverse actions by remote states.
10.12 	(J) Nothing in this compact shall override a member state's decision that participation 
10.13 	in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action.
10.14 	ARTICLE 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COMPACT 
10.15 	COMMISSION.
10.16 	(A) The compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known 
10.17 	as the occupational therapy compact commission:
10.18 	(1) The commission is an instrumentality of the compact states.
10.19 	(2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be 
10.20 	brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office 
10.21 	of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses 
10.22 	to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
10.23 	(3) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.
10.24 	(B) Membership, Voting, and Meetings:
10.25 	(1) Each member state shall have and be limited to one delegate selected by that member 
10.26 	state's licensing board.
10.27 	(2) The delegate shall be either:
10.28 	(i) a current member of the licensing board who is an occupational therapist, occupational 
10.29 	therapy assistant, or public member; or
10.30 	(ii) an administrator of the licensing board.
10.31 	(3) Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of 
10.32 	the state from which the delegate is appointed.
11.1 	(4) The member state board shall fill any vacancy occurring in the commission within 
11.2 	90 days.
11.3 	(5) Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote with regard to the promulgation of rules 
11.4 	and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business 
11.5 	and affairs of the commission. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as 
11.6 	provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates' participation in meetings 
11.7 	by telephone or other means of communication.
11.8 	(6) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional 
11.9 	meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.
11.10 	(7) The commission shall establish by rule a term of office for delegates.
11.11 	(C) The commission shall have the following powers and duties:
11.12 	(1) establish a code of ethics for the commission;
11.13 	(2) establish the fiscal year of the commission;
11.14 	(3) establish bylaws;
11.15 	(4) maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;
11.16 	(5) meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this compact and 
11.17 	the bylaws;
11.18 	(6) promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and 
11.19 	administration of this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall 
11.20 	be binding in all member states;
11.21 	(7) bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, 
11.22 	provided that the standing of any state occupational therapy licensing board to sue or be 
11.23 	sued under applicable law shall not be affected;
11.24 	(8) purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
11.25 	(9) borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including but not limited to 
11.26 	employees of a member state;
11.27 	(10) hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant 
11.28 	such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the compact, and establish 
11.29 	the commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, 
11.30 	qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;
12.1 	(11) accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, 
12.2 	materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that at all 
12.3 	times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;
12.4 	(12) lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, 
12.5 	improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed; provided that at all times the 
12.6 	commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
12.7 	(13) sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of 
12.8 	any property real, personal, or mixed;
12.9 	(14) establish a budget and make expenditures;
12.10 	(15) borrow money;
12.11 	(16) appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members, state 
12.12 	regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and other 
12.13 	interested persons as may be designated in this compact and the bylaws;
12.14 	(17) provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
12.15 	(18) establish and elect an executive committee; and
12.16 	(19) perform other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes 
12.17 	of this compact consistent with the state regulation of occupational therapy licensure and 
12.18 	practice.
12.19 	(D) The Executive Committee:
12.20 	(1) The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the commission 
12.21 	according to the terms of this compact.
12.22 	(2) The executive committee shall be composed of nine members:
12.23 	(i) seven voting members who are elected by the commission from the current 
12.24 	membership of the commission;
12.25 	(ii) one ex-officio, nonvoting member from a recognized national occupational therapy 
12.26 	professional association; and
12.27 	(iii) one ex-officio, nonvoting member from a recognized national occupational therapy 
12.28 	certification organization.
12.29 	(3) The ex-officio members will be selected by their respective organizations.
12.30 	(4) The commission may remove any member of the executive committee as provided 
12.31 	in the bylaws.
13.1 	(5) The executive committee shall meet at least annually.
13.2 	(6) The executive committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
13.3 	(i) recommend to the entire commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to this 
13.4 	compact legislation, fees paid by compact member states such as annual dues, and any 
13.5 	commission compact fee charged to licensees for the compact privilege;
13.6 	(ii) ensure compact administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or 
13.7 	otherwise;
13.8 	(iii) prepare and recommend the budget;
13.9 	(iv) maintain financial records on behalf of the commission;
13.10 	(v) monitor compact compliance of member states and provide compliance reports to 
13.11 	the commission;
13.12 	(vi) establish additional committees as necessary; and
13.13 	(vii) perform other duties as provided in rules or bylaws.
13.14 	(E) Meetings of the Commission:
13.15 	(1) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given 
13.16 	in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Article 10.
13.17 	(2) The commission or the executive committee or other committees of the commission 
13.18 	may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission or executive committee or 
13.19 	other committees of the commission must discuss:
13.20 	(i) noncompliance of a member state with its obligations under the compact;
13.21 	(ii) the employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or procedures 
13.22 	related to specific employees or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel 
13.23 	practices and procedures;
13.24 	(iii) current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;
13.25 	(iv) negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real 
13.26 	estate;
13.27 	(v) accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;
13.28 	(vi) disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged 
13.29 	or confidential;
14.1 	(vii) disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a 
14.2 	clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
14.3 	(viii) disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
14.4 	(ix) disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on 
14.5 	behalf of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility of 
14.6 	investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact; or
14.7 	(x) matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.
14.8 	(3) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the 
14.9 	commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and 
14.10 	shall reference each relevant exempting provision.
14.11 	(4) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters 
14.12 	discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and 
14.13 	the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents 
14.14 	considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and 
14.15 	documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote 
14.16 	of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
14.17 	(F) Financing of the Commission:
14.18 	(1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses 
14.19 	of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
14.20 	(2) The commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and 
14.21 	grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.
14.22 	(3) The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member 
14.23 	state or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the 
14.24 	commission and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual 
14.25 	budget as approved by the commission each year for which revenue is not provided by other 
14.26 	sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated based upon a formula 
14.27 	to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all member 
14.28 	states.
14.29 	(4) The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds 
14.30 	adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the member 
14.31 	states, except by and with the authority of the member state.
15.1 	(5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The 
15.2 	receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting 
15.3 	procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds 
15.4 	handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public 
15.5 	accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual 
15.6 	report of the commission.
15.7 	(G) Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification:
15.8 	(1) The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of the 
15.9 	commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official 
15.10 	capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil 
15.11 	liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, 
15.12 	or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing 
15.13 	occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided 
15.14 	that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or 
15.15 	liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or 
15.16 	wanton misconduct of that person.
15.17 	(2) The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or 
15.18 	representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out 
15.19 	of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission 
15.20 	employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made 
15.21 	had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, 
15.22 	duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that 
15.23 	person from retaining their own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged 
15.24 	act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton 
15.25 	misconduct.
15.26 	(3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive 
15.27 	director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement 
15.28 	or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or 
15.29 	omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or 
15.30 	responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within 
15.31 	the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that the actual 
15.32 	or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton 
15.33 	misconduct of that person.
15.34 	ARTICLE 9. DATA SYSTEM
16.1 	(A) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, and utilization of 
16.2 	a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and 
16.3 	investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states.
16.4 	(B) A member state shall submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals 
16.5 	to whom this compact is applicable, utilizing a unique identifier, as required by the rules 
16.6 	of the commission, including:
16.7 	(1) identifying information;
16.8 	(2) licensure data;
16.9 	(3) adverse actions against a license or compact privilege;
16.10 	(4) nonconfidential information related to alternative program participation;
16.11 	(5) any denial of application for licensure and the reason or reasons for such denial;
16.12 	(6) other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact, as determined 
16.13 	by the rules of the commission; and
16.14 	(7) current significant investigative information.
16.15 	(C) Current significant investigative information and other investigative information 
16.16 	pertaining to a licensee in any member state will only be available to other member states.
16.17 	(D) The commission shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken 
16.18 	against a licensee or an individual applying for a license. Adverse action information 
16.19 	pertaining to a licensee in any member state will be available to any other member state.
16.20 	(E) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information 
16.21 	that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing 
16.22 	state.
16.23 	(F) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required to be 
16.24 	expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed 
16.25 	from the data system.
16.26 	ARTICLE 10. RULEMAKING
16.27 	(A) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set 
16.28 	forth in this Article and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become 
16.29 	binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.
16.30 	(B) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and 
16.31 	efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event 
17.1 	the commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of 
17.2 	the purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the 
17.3 	commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect.
17.4 	(C) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of 
17.5 	a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four years of 
17.6 	the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any 
17.7 	member state.
17.8 	(D) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting 
17.9 	of the commission.
17.10 	(E) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and 
17.11 	at least 30 days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted 
17.12 	upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking:
17.13 	(1) on the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform; and
17.14 	(2) on the website of each member state occupational therapy licensing board or other 
17.15 	publicly accessible platform or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish 
17.16 	proposed rules.
17.17 	(F) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include:
17.18 	(1) the proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be 
17.19 	considered and voted upon;
17.20 	(2) the text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule;
17.21 	(3) a request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and
17.22 	(4) the manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their 
17.23 	intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.
17.24 	(G) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit 
17.25 	written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
17.26 	(H) The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a 
17.27 	rule or amendment if a hearing is requested by:
17.28 	(1) at least 25 persons;
17.29 	(2) a state or federal governmental subdivision or agency; or
17.30 	(3) an association or organization having at least 25 members.
18.1 	(I) If a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the commission shall publish 
18.2 	the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is held via electronic 
18.3 	means, the commission shall publish the mechanism for access to the electronic hearing:
18.4 	(1) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the executive director of 
18.5 	the commission or other designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify 
18.6 	at the hearing not less than five business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.
18.7 	(2) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to 
18.8 	comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.
18.9 	(3) All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording will be made available on 
18.10 	request.
18.11 	(4) Nothing in this Article shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each 
18.12 	rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by 
18.13 	this Article.
18.14 	(J) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled 
18.15 	hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral 
18.16 	comments received.
18.17 	(K) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is 
18.18 	received, the commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a 
18.19 	public hearing.
18.20 	(L) The commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the 
18.21 	proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the 
18.22 	rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
18.23 	(M) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and 
18.24 	adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing; provided 
18.25 	that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact and in this Article shall be 
18.26 	retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than 90 
18.27 	days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency 
18.28 	rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:
18.29 	(1) meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
18.30 	(2) prevent a loss of commission or member state funds;
18.31 	(3) meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by 
18.32 	federal law or rule; or
19.1 	(4) protect public health and safety.
19.2 	(N) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions 
19.3 	to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, 
19.4 	errors in format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions 
19.5 	shall be posted on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge 
19.6 	by any person for a period of 30 days after posting. The revision may be challenged only 
19.7 	on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made 
19.8 	in writing and delivered to the chair of the commission prior to the end of the notice period. 
19.9 	If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision 
19.10 	is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.
19.11 	ARTICLE 11. OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
19.12 	(A) Oversight:
19.13 	(1) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member 
19.14 	state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate 
19.15 	the compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated 
19.16 	hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.
19.17 	(2) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or 
19.18 	administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact 
19.19 	which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission.
19.20 	(3) The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding, 
19.21 	and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide 
19.22 	service of process to the commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the 
19.23 	commission, this compact, or promulgated rules.
19.24 	(B) Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination:
19.25 	(1) If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance 
19.26 	of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the 
19.27 	commission shall:
19.28 	(i) provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature 
19.29 	of the default, the proposed means of curing the default, or any other action to be taken by 
19.30 	the commission; and
19.31 	(ii) provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
20.1 	(2) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated 
20.2 	from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, 
20.3 	privileges, and benefits conferred by this compact may be terminated on the effective date 
20.4 	of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or 
20.5 	liabilities incurred during the period of default.
20.6 	(3) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other 
20.7 	means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate 
20.8 	shall be given by the commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the 
20.9 	defaulting state's legislature, and each of the member states.
20.10 	(4) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and 
20.11 	liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that 
20.12 	extend beyond the effective date of termination.
20.13 	(5) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default 
20.14 	or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the 
20.15 	commission and the defaulting state.
20.16 	(6) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the 
20.17 	United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the 
20.18 	commission has its principal offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of 
20.19 	such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
20.20 	(C) Dispute Resolution:
20.21 	(1) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes 
20.22 	related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and nonmember 
20.23 	states.
20.24 	(2) The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding 
20.25 	dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
20.26 	(D) Enforcement:
20.27 	(1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the 
20.28 	provisions and rules of this compact.
20.29 	(2) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States 
20.30 	District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has 
20.31 	its principal offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the 
20.32 	provisions of the compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may 
20.33 	include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event that judicial enforcement is necessary, 
21.1 	the prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable 
21.2 	attorney fees.
21.3 	(3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The 
21.4 	commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
21.5 	ARTICLE 12. DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERSTATE 
21.6 	COMMISSION FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE AND ASSOCIATED 
21.7 	RULES, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT
21.8 	(A) The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is 
21.9 	enacted into law in the tenth member state. The provisions, which become effective at that 
21.10 	time, shall be limited to the powers granted to the commission relating to assembly and the 
21.11 	promulgation of rules. Thereafter, the commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking 
21.12 	powers necessary to the implementation and administration of the compact.
21.13 	(B) Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission's initial adoption of 
21.14 	the rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes 
21.15 	law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission shall have 
21.16 	the full force and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state.
21.17 	(C) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing 
21.18 	the same:
21.19 	(1) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six months after enactment 
21.20 	of the repealing statute.
21.21 	(2) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's 
21.22 	occupational therapy licensing board to comply with the investigative and adverse action 
21.23 	reporting requirements of this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
21.24 	(D) Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any 
21.25 	occupational therapy licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a 
21.26 	member state and a nonmember state that does not conflict with the provisions of this 
21.27 	compact.
21.28 	(E) This compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this compact 
21.29 	shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws 
21.30 	of all member states.
21.31 	ARTICLE 13. CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY
22.1 	This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The 
22.2 	provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision 
22.3 	of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or of the 
22.4 	United States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance 
22.5 	is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof 
22.6 	to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this 
22.7 	compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any member state, the compact shall 
22.8 	remain in full force and effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect 
22.9 	as to the member state affected as to all severable matters.
22.10 	ARTICLE 14. BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS
22.11 	(A) A licensee providing occupational therapy in a remote state under the compact 
22.12 	privilege shall function within the laws and regulations of the remote state.
22.13 	(B) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is 
22.14 	not inconsistent with the compact.
22.15 	(C) Any laws in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent 
22.16 	of the conflict.
22.17 	(D) Any lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated 
22.18 	by the commission, are binding upon the member states.
22.19 	(E) All agreements between the commission and the member states are binding in 
22.20 	accordance with their terms.
22.21 	(F) In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed 
22.22 	on the legislature of any member state, the provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the 
22.23 	conflict with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.