The bill SB181 proposes the adoption of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact as Article 2 of Chapter 27B of Title 34 in the Code of Alabama 1975. This compact is designed to streamline the practice of respiratory therapy across member states, allowing licensed respiratory therapists to provide services in multiple states while ensuring state regulatory authority remains intact for public health and safety. The bill introduces new legal language that establishes the structure and requirements for member states, including the creation of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission, which will oversee compliance and facilitate cooperation among states. Key objectives of the compact include increasing access to respiratory therapy services, enhancing public health protection, and addressing workforce shortages.

Additionally, the bill outlines the governance structure of the commission, detailing its powers, responsibilities, and operational framework. It mandates that member states enact similar compact legislation, conduct criminal background checks, and maintain a coordinated database for licensure and adverse actions. The bill includes provisions for public hearings prior to rule adoption, legal protections for commission members, and mechanisms for dispute resolution among states. Notably, it emphasizes that Alabama law will supersede any conflicting rules adopted by the commission and clarifies that existing licensure agreements with nonmember states will remain valid. The effective date of the act is set for October 1, 2025, with various insertions and deletions made to current law to facilitate the implementation of the compact.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34-27B-1, 34-27B-14
Engrossed: 34-27B-1, 34-27B-14
Enrolled: 34-27B-1, 34-27B-14