House Bill 447 enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, designed to enhance the practice of respiratory therapy across member states by allowing licensed respiratory therapists to practice in other states while maintaining each state's regulatory authority. The bill includes provisions for criminal background checks for applicants, which aims to bolster public health and address workforce shortages. Notably, it modifies the effective date of the compact from "an immediate" to "a contingent," indicating that its implementation relies on certain conditions being met, specifically the enactment by at least seven member states.

The legislation establishes a commission to oversee the compact's implementation, detailing its governance structure, operational procedures, and rulemaking authority. The commission is empowered to adopt rules, including emergency rules in response to public health threats, and must hold public hearings for new rules to ensure community input. Additionally, the bill mandates that all licensure applicants undergo state and federal criminal history background checks, with the costs borne by the applicants. Member states retain the right to enact laws related to respiratory therapy, provided they do not conflict with the compact's provisions, and can withdraw from the compact under specified conditions.