The bill H. 4649 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by updating Article 3 of Chapter 63, Title 40 to align with the Social Work Interstate Compact model legislation. Its primary goal is to facilitate the interstate practice of regulated social workers, enhancing public access to social work services while maintaining state regulatory authority. The bill outlines objectives such as increasing access to services, reducing duplicative licensing requirements, and supporting military families, while also emphasizing the role of telehealth. It establishes specific criteria for member states, including licensing requirements, the necessity of passing a national exam, and mechanisms for investigating complaints.

Additionally, the bill creates the Social Work Compact Commission to oversee the implementation of the compact, detailing its governance structure, powers, and responsibilities. It allows member states to take adverse actions against a social worker's multistate authorization based on information from other states while ensuring that only the home state can act against a social worker's home state license. The bill also outlines the process for states to withdraw from the compact, the commission's rulemaking authority, and the establishment of a coordinated database for tracking licensure and adverse actions. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the licensure process for social workers while ensuring accountability and compliance with state laws.