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 aims to streamline the practice of respiratory therapy across member states, allowing licensed respiratory therapists to practice in multiple states while ensuring state regulatory authority remains intact to protect public health and safety. Key provisions include the establishment of the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission, which will oversee the compact's operations, enforce rules, and maintain a coordinated database for licensure and adverse actions. The bill also introduces new legal language permitting member states to conduct criminal background checks for licensees and allows them to charge fees for compact privileges, with exemptions for active military members and their spouses.

Additionally, the bill outlines the governance structure of the commission, including the powers and responsibilities of its members, the requirement for public hearings prior to rule adoption, and the establishment of a dispute resolution process. It emphasizes the importance of transparency by mandating public access to meeting records and comments, while also providing for qualified immunity for commissioners. The bill includes provisions for addressing defaults by member states, clarifying that termination from the compact can only occur after all compliance measures have been exhausted. Furthermore, it asserts the severability of its provisions and specifies that existing conflicting state laws will be superseded by the compact, with an effective date set for October 1, 2025.

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