The bill establishes the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which facilitates the practice of respiratory therapy across member states by allowing licensed respiratory therapists to work in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses. This compact aims to enhance public access to respiratory therapy services, support military families, and address workforce shortages while maintaining state regulatory authority to ensure public health and safety. Key provisions include the creation of a governing body, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Commission, which will oversee the implementation of the compact, enforce compliance, and manage disputes among member states.

The compact outlines the minimum licensure requirements for respiratory therapists and includes provisions for public hearings on proposed rules, emergency rule adoption, and the ability for the commission to amend rules based on public feedback. It emphasizes that member states retain the authority to enforce their own laws related to respiratory therapy, as long as they do not conflict with the compact. The compact will take effect once adopted by seven states and includes mechanisms for withdrawal and amendment by member states, ensuring a collaborative and flexible approach to respiratory therapy regulation.