The bill establishes the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, designed to enhance the interstate practice of regulated social workers and improve public access to social work services. It aims to increase access to these services, reduce duplicative licensing requirements, and promote cooperation among member states. The compact allows for mutual recognition of licenses, enabling social workers to practice across state lines while adhering to local laws. It also sets forth requirements for state participation, including the regulation of social work and mechanisms for licensure and supervision. The bill creates the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission to oversee the compact's implementation, manage adverse actions against licensees, and maintain a data system for licensure and disciplinary information.

Additionally, the bill outlines the framework for multistate licenses, specifying eligibility criteria for applicants, such as holding an active license in their home state and submitting biometric data for criminal history checks. It grants member states the authority to take adverse actions against multistate licenses, with the home state primarily responsible for such actions. The bill also introduces amendments to existing laws governing the commission's operations, including provisions for financial management, rulemaking processes, and enforcement mechanisms for addressing defaults by member states. Key changes include the establishment of binding agreements, confidentiality of investigations, and legal protections for commission members. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 13 Filed: 456.073, 456.076, 491.005, 491.009