BILL NUMBER: S5657
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to enacting the inter-
state medical licensure compact
 
PURPOSE::
To enact the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for physicians.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS::
Section 1: Amends the education law by adding a new article 169 to
establish the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for physicians.
Section 2: Sets Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION::
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is an agreement among
participating U.S. states designed to significantly streamline the
licensing process for physicians wishing to practice in multiple states.
This compact enables eligible physicians to obtain separate licenses
from each participating state in which they intend to practice. Current-
ly, 37 states, the District of Columbia, and the Territory of Guam are
part of the IMLC.
The IMLC was established to address the growing need for physicians to
provide care across state lines and to meet the increasing demand for
telemedicine services. This is particularly important for oncology
patients who require ongoing specialized care but face significant trav-
el burdens. Through participation in the IMLC, these patients would have
the ability to receive consultations and healthcare services via tele-
medicine, without the need to travel to see a physician in a particular
state.
This bill is a stand-alone version of Governor Hochul's Article VII
budget proposal, which seeks to establish the IMLC for physicians within
the Health and Mental Hygiene bill. It is imperative for New York to
join the IMLC to ensure that New York physicians can continue to uphold
and expand the high standard of care they provide to their patients.
Additionally, participation in the compact would help address the
current healthcare workforce shortage, further strengthening the state's
healthcare system.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New Bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS::
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately and shall be deemed to have been
in full force and effect on and after April 1, 2025.