2023 -- S 0291

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LC001071

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COUNSELING COMPACT

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Lawson, Acosta, Pearson, LaMountain, Miller,
Valverde, Lauria, Murray, and Euer

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings, purpose and intent.

     (1) The purpose and intent of this chapter is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed

professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling

services. The practice of professional counseling occurs in the state where the client is located at

the time of the counseling services. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to

protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure.

     (2) This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:

     (i) Increase public access to professional counseling services by providing for the mutual

recognition of other member state licenses;

     (ii) Enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety;

     (iii) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multistate practice for

licensed professional counselors;

     (iv) Support spouses of relocating active duty military personnel;

     (v) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information among

member states;

     (vi) Allow for the use of telehealth technology to facilitate increased access to professional

counseling services;

     (vii) Support the uniformity of professional counseling licensure requirements throughout

the states to promote public safety and public health benefits;

     (viii) Invest all member states with the authority to hold a licensed professional counselor

accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the client is located at the time

care is rendered through the mutual recognition of member state licenses;

     (ix) Eliminate the necessity for licenses in multiple states; and

     (x) Provide opportunities for interstate practice by licensed professional counselors who

meet uniform licensure requirements.

     SECTION 2. Title 5 of the General Laws entitled "BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 39.2

COUNSELING COMPACT

     5-39.2-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Counseling Compact".

     5-39.2-2. Definitions.

     For purposes of this compact, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

     (1) "Active duty military" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of

the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders

pursuant to 10 U.S. C. chapters 12301(d) and 12302.

     (2) "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted

by Rhode Island law which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a licensed

professional counselor, including actions against an individual's license or privilege to practice such

as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's

practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a licensed professional counselor's

authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action.

     (3) "Alternative program" means a non-disciplinary monitoring or practice remediation

process approved by a professional counseling licensing board to address impaired practitioners.

     (4) "Continuing competence or continuing education" means a requirement, as a condition

of license renewal, to provide evidence of participation in, and/or completion of, educational and

professional activities relevant to practice or area of work.

     (5) "Counseling compact commission" or "commission" means the national administrative

body whose membership consists of all states that have enacted the compact.

     (6) "Current significant investigative information" means:

     (i) Investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes

notification and an opportunity for the licensed professional counselor to respond, if required by

Rhode Island law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more

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than a minor infraction; or

     (ii) Investigative information that indicates that the licensed professional counselor

represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the licensed

professional counselor has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.

     (7) "Data system" means a repository of information about licensees, including, but not

limited to, continuing education, examination, licensure, investigative, privilege to practice and

adverse action information.

     (8) "Encumbered license" means a license in which an adverse action restricts the practice

of licensed professional counseling by the licensee and said adverse action has been reported to the

National Practitioners Data Bank (NPDB).

     (9) ''Encumbrance" means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and

unrestricted practice of licensed professional counseling by a licensing board.

     (10) "Executive committee" means a group of directors elected or appointed to act on

behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the commission.

     (11) "Home state" means the member state that is the licensee's primary state of residence.

     (12) "Impaired practitioner" means an individual who has a condition(s) that may impair

their ability to practice as a licensed professional counselor without some type of intervention and

may include, but are not limited to, alcohol and drug dependence, mental health impairment, and

neurological or physical impairments.

     (13) "Investigative information'' means information, records, and documents received or

generated by a professional counseling licensing board pursuant to an investigation.

     (14) "Jurisprudence requirement" means the assessment of an individual's knowledge of

the laws and rules governing the practice of professional counseling in a state.

     (15) "Licensed professional counselor" means a counselor licensed by a member state,

regardless of the title used by that state, to independently assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral

health conditions.

     (16) "Licensee" means an individual who currently holds an authorization from the state to

practice as a licensed professional counselor.

     (17) "Licensing board" means the agency of a state, or equivalent, that is responsible for

the licensing and regulation of licensed professional counselors.

     (18) "Member state" means a state that has enacted the compact.

     (19) "Privilege to practice" means a legal authorization, which is equivalent to a license,

permitting the practice of professional counseling in a remote state.

     (20) "Professional counseling" means the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of

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behavioral health conditions by a licensed professional counselor.

     (21) "Remote state" means a member state other than the home state, where a licensee is

exercising or seeking to exercise the privilege to practice.

     (22) "Rule" means a regulation promulgated by the commission that has the force of law.

     (23) "Single state license" means a licensed professional counselor license issued by a

member state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a privilege

to practice in any other member state.

     (24) "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States of

America that regulates the practice of professional counseling.

     (25) "Telehealth" means the application of telecommunication technology to deliver

professional counseling services remotely to assess, diagnose, and treat behavioral health

conditions.

     (26) "Unencumbered license" means a license that authorizes a licensed professional

counselor to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of professional counseling.

     5-39.2-3. State participation in the compact.

     (a) To participate in the compact, a state must currently:

     (1) License and regulate licensed professional counselors;

     (2) Require licensees to pass a nationally recognized exam approved by the commission;

     (3) Require licensees to have a sixty (60) semester-hour, or ninety (90) quarter-hour,

master's degree in counseling or, sixty (60) semester-hours, or ninety (90) quarter-hours, of

graduate course work including the following topic areas:

     (i) Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice;

     (ii) Social and cultural diversity;

     (iii) Human growth and development;

     (iv) Career development;

     (v) Counseling and helping relationships;

     (vi) Group counseling and group work;

     (vii) Diagnosis and treatment; assessment and testing;

     (viii) Research and program evaluation; and

     (ix) Other areas as determined by the commission.

     (4) Require licensees to complete a supervised postgraduate professional experience as

defined by the commission; and

     (5) Have a mechanism in place for receiving and investigating complaints about licensees.

     (b) A member state shall:

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     (1) Participate fully in the commission's data system, including using the commission's

unique identifier as defined in rules;

     (2) Notify the commission, in compliance with the terms of the compact and rules, of any

adverse action or the availability of investigative information regarding a licensee;

     (3) Implement or utilize procedures for considering the criminal history records of

applicants for an initial privilege to practice. These procedures shall include the submission of

fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an

applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the

agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records;

     (i) A member state shall fully implement a criminal background check requirement, within

a time frame established by rule, by receiving the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

record search and shall use the results in making licensure decisions.

     (ii) Communication between a member state, the commission and among member states

regarding the verification of eligibility for licensure through the compact shall not include any

information received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation relating to a federal criminal records

check performed by a member state under federal Pub. L. 92-544.

     (4) Comply with the rules of the commission;

     (5) Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the home state and meet the home

state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as all other applicable state laws;

     (6) Grant the privilege to practice to a licensee holding a valid unencumbered license in

another member state in accordance with the terms of the compact and rules; and

     (7) Provide for the attendance of the state's commissioner to the counseling compact

commission meetings.

     (c) Member states may charge a fee for granting the privilege to practice.

     (d) Individuals not residing in a member state shall continue to be able to apply for a

member state's single state license as provided under the laws of each member state. However, the

single state license granted to these individuals shall not be recognized as granting a privilege to

practice professional counseling in any other member state.

     (e) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state for

the issuance of a single state license.

     (f) A license issued to a licensed professional counselor by a home state to a resident in

that state shall be recognized by each member state as authorizing a licensed professional counselor

to practice professional counseling, under a privilege to practice, in each member state.

     5-39.2-4. Privilege to practice.

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     (a) To exercise the privilege to practice under the terms and provisions of the compact, the

licensee shall:

     (1) Hold a license in the home state;

     (2) Have a valid United States social security number or national practitioner identifier;

     (3) Be eligible for a privilege to practice in any member state in accordance with

subsections (d), (g) and (h) of this section;

     (4) Have not had any encumbrance or restriction against any license or privilege to practice

within the previous two (2) years;

     (5) Notify the commission that the licensee is seeking the privilege to practice within a

remote state(s);

     (6) Pay any applicable fees, including any state fee, for the privilege to practice;

     (7) Meet any continuing competence or continuing education requirements established by

the home state;

     (8) Meet any jurisprudence requirements established by the remote state(s) in which the

licensee is seeking a privilege to practice; and

     (9) Report to the commission any adverse action, encumbrance, or restriction on license

taken by any non-member state within thirty (30) days from the date the action is taken.

     (b) The privilege to practice is valid until the expiration date of the home state license. The

licensee shall comply with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section to maintain the

privilege to practice in the remote state.

     (c) A licensee providing professional counseling in a remote state under the privilege to

practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations of the remote state.

     (d) A licensee providing professional counseling services in a remote state is subject to that

state's regulatory authority. A remote state may, in accordance with due process and that state's

laws, remove a licensee's privilege to practice in the remote state for a specific period of time,

impose fines, and/or take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens.

The licensee may be ineligible for a privilege to practice in any member state until the specific time

for removal has passed and all fines are paid.

     (e) If a home state license is encumbered, the licensee shall lose the privilege to practice in

any remote state until the following occur:

     (1) The home state license is no longer encumbered; and

     (2) Have not had any encumbrance or restriction against any license or privilege to practice

within the previous two (2) years.

     (f) Once an encumbered license in the home state is restored to good standing, the licensee

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must meet the requirements of subsection (a) of this section to obtain a privilege to practice in any

remote state.

     (g) If a licensee's privilege to practice in any remote state is removed, the individual may

lose the privilege to practice in all other remote states until the following occur:

     (1) The specific period of time for which the privilege to practice was removed has ended;

     (2) All fines have been paid; and

     (3) Have not had any encumbrance or restriction against any license or privilege to practice

within the previous two (2) years.

     (h) Once the requirements of subsection (g) of this section have been met, the licensee shall

meet the requirements in subsection (a) of this section to obtain a privilege to practice in a remote

state.

     5-39.2-5. Obtaining a new home state license based on a privilege to practice.

     (a) A licensed professional counselor may hold a home state license, which allows for a

privilege to practice in other member states, in only one member state at a time.

     (b) If a licensed professional counselor changes primary state of residence by moving

between two (2) member states:

     (1) The licensed professional counselor shall file an application for obtaining a new home

state license based on a privilege to practice, pay all applicable fees, and notify the current and new

home state in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission.

     (2) Upon receipt of an application for obtaining a new home state license by virtue of a

privilege to practice, the new home state shall verify that the licensed professional counselor meets

the pertinent criteria outlined in § 5-39.2-4, via the data system, without need for primary source

verification except for:

     (i) A Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint based criminal background check if not

previously performed or updated pursuant to applicable rules adopted by the commission in

accordance with federal Pub. L. 92-544;

     (ii) Other criminal background check as required by the new home state; and

     (iii) Completion of any requisite jurisprudence requirements of the new home state.

     (3) The former home state shall convert the former home state license into a privilege to

practice once the new home state has activated the new home state license in accordance with

applicable rules adopted by the commission.

     (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this compact, if the licensed professional

counselor cannot meet the criteria in § 5-39.2-4, the new home state may apply its requirements for

issuing a new single state license.

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     (5) The licensed professional counselor shall pay all applicable fees to the new home state

in order to be issued a new home state license.

     (c) If a licensed professional counselor changes primary state of residence by moving from

a member state to a non-member state, or from a non-member state to a member state, the state

criteria shall apply for issuance of a single state license in the new state.

     (d) Nothing in this compact shall interfere with a licensee's ability to hold a single state

license in multiple states; however for the purposes of this compact, a licensee shall have only one

home state license.

     (e) Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a member state for

the issuance of a single state license.

     5-39.2-6. Active duty military personnel or their spouses.

     Active duty military personnel, or their spouse, shall designate a home state where the

individual has a current license in good standing. The individual may retain the home state

designation during the period the service member is on active duty. Subsequent to designating a

home state, the individual shall only change their home state through application for licensure in

the new state, or pursuant to the provisions in § 5-39.2-5.

     5-39.2-7. Compact privilege to practice telehealth.

     (a) Member states shall recognize the right of a licensed professional counselor, licensed

by a home state in accordance with § 5-39.2-3 and under rules promulgated by the commission, to

practice professional counseling in any member state via telehealth under a privilege to practice as

provided in the compact and rules promulgated by the commission.

     (b) A licensee providing professional counseling services in a remote state under the

privilege to practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations of the remote state.

     5-39.2-8. Adverse actions.

     (a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a remote state shall have the

authority, in accordance with existing state due process law, to:

     (1) Take adverse action against a licensed professional counselor's privilege to practice

within that member state, and

     (2) Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and

testimony of witnesses as well as the production of evidence. Subpoenas issued by a licensing board

in a member state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from

another member state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction,

according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings

pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage, and

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other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located.

     (3) Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against a licensed

professional counselor's license issued by the home state.

     (b) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state shall give the same priority and

effect to reported conduct received from a member state as it would if the conduct had occurred

within the home state. In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine

appropriate action.

     (c) The home state shall complete any pending investigations of a licensed professional

counselor who changes primary state of residence during the course of the investigations. The home

state shall also have the authority to take appropriate action and shall promptly report the

conclusions of the investigations to the administrator of the data system. The administrator of the

coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any adverse

actions.

     (d) A member state, if otherwise permitted by state law, may recover from the affected

licensed professional counselor the costs of investigations and dispositions of cases resulting from

any adverse action taken against that licensed professional counselor.

     (e) A member state may take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote

state; provided that the member state follows its own procedures for taking the adverse action.

     (f) Joint investigations:

     (1) In addition to the authority granted to a member state by its respective professional

counseling practice law or other applicable state law, any member state may participate with other

member states in joint investigations of licensees.

     (2) Member states shall share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materials in

furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact.

     (g) If adverse action is taken by the home state against the license of a licensed professional

counselor, the licensed professional counselor's privilege to practice in all other member states shall

be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the state license. All home state

disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against the license of a licensed professional

counselor shall include a statement that the licensed professional counselor's privilege to practice

is deactivated in all member states during the pendency of the order.

     (h) If a member state takes adverse action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the

data system. The administrator of the data system shall promptly notify the home state of any

adverse actions by remote states.

     (i) Nothing in this compact shall override a member state's decision that participation in an

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alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action.

     5-39.2-9. Establishment of counseling compact commission.

     (a) The compact member states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as

the counseling compact commission:

     (1) The commission is an instrumentality of the compact states.

     (2) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought

solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the

commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent

it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

     (3) Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.

     (b) Membership, voting, and meetings.

     (1) Each member state shall have and be limited to one delegate selected by that member

state's licensing board.

     (2) The delegate shall be either:

     (i) A current member of the licensing board at the time of appointment, who is a licensed

professional counselor or public member; or

     (ii) An administrator of the licensing board.

     (3) Any delegate may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the

state from which the delegate is appointed.

     (4) The member state licensing board shall fill any vacancy occurring on the commission

within sixty (60) days.

     (5) Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and

creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs

of the commission.

     (6) A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The

bylaws may provide for delegates' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of

communication.

     (7) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings

shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.

     (8) The commission shall by rule establish a term of office for delegates and may by rule

establish term limits.

     (c) The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

     (1) Establish the fiscal year of the commission;

     (2) Establish bylaws;

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     (3) Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;

     (4) Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this compact and

the bylaws;

     (5) Promulgate rules which shall be binding to the extent and in the manner provided for

in the compact;

     (6) Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission;

provided that the standing of any state licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law shall

not be affected;

     (7) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

     (8) Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to,

employees of a member state;

     (9) Hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such

individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the compact, and establish the

commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of

personnel, and other related personnel matters;

     (10) Accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies,

materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that, at all times

the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest;

     (11) Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold,

improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that, at all times the commission

shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;

     (12) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any

property real, personal, or mixed;

     (13) Establish a budget and make expenditures;

     (14) Borrow money;

     (15) Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members, state

regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and such other

interested persons as may be designated in this compact and the bylaws;

     (16) Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;

     (17) Establish and elect an executive committee; and

     (18) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the

purposes of this compact consistent with the state regulation of professional counseling licensure

and practice.

     (d) The executive committee:

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     (1) The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the commission

according to the terms of this compact.

     (2) The executive committee shall be composed of up to eleven (11) members:

     (i) Seven (7) voting members who are selected by the commission from the current

membership of the commission; and

     (ii) Up to four (4) exofficio, nonvoting members from four (4) recognized national

professional counselor organizations.

     (iii) The exofficio members will be selected by their respective organizations.

     (3) The commission may remove any member of the executive committee as provided in

the bylaws.

     (4) The executive committee shall meet at least annually.

     (5) The executive committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

     (i) Recommend to the entire commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to this

compact legislation, fees paid by compact member states such as annual dues, and any commission

compact fee charged to licensees for the privilege to practice;

     (ii) Ensure compact administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or

otherwise;

     (iii) Prepare and recommend the budget;

     (iv) Maintain financial records on behalf of the commission;

     (v) Monitor compact compliance of member states and provide compliance reports to the

commission;

     (vi) Establish additional committees as necessary; and

     (vii) Other duties as provided in rules or bylaws.

     (e) Meetings of the commission.

     (1) All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given

in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in § 5-39.2-11.

     (2) The commission or the executive committee or other committees of the commission

may convene in a closed, non-public meeting if the commission or executive committee or other

committees of the commission intend to discuss:

     (i) Non-compliance of a member state with its obligations under the compact;

     (ii) The employment, compensation, discipline or other matters, practices or procedures

related to specific employees or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel

practices and procedures;

     (iii) Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;

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     (iv) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real

estate;

     (v) Make a report to law enforcement and authorizes accusing any person of a suspected

crime or formally censuring any person;

     (vi) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or

confidential;

     (vii) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a

clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

     (viii) Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;

     (ix) Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf

of or for use of the commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or

determination of compliance issues pursuant to the compact; or

     (x) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or member state statute.

     (3) If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the

commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall

reference each relevant exempting provision.

     (4) The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed

in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons

therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection

with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting

shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court

of competent jurisdiction.

     (f) Financing of the commission.

     (1) The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of

its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

     (2) The commission may accept any and all appropriate revenue sources, donations, and

grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services.

     (3) The commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each member state

or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the commission

and its staff, which must be in a total amount sufficient to cover its annual budget as approved each

year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount

shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall

promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.

     (4) The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds

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adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the member states,

except by and with the authority of the member state.

     (5) The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The

receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting

procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled

by the commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the

report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.

     (g) Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification.

     (1) The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the

commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity,

for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by

or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against

whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of

commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that, nothing in this subsection shall

be construed to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or

liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

     (2) The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee or

representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any

actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment,

duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis

for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities;

provided that, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her

own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result

from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

     (3) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive

director, employee, or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or

judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission

that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such

person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment,

duties, or responsibilities; provided that, the actual or alleged act error, or omission did not result

from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.

     5-39.2-10. Data system.

     (a) The commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation, and

utilization of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and

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investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states.

     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law to the contrary, a member state shall

submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this compact is applicable

as required by the rules of the commission, including:

     (i) Identifying information;

     (ii) Licensure data;

     (iii) Adverse actions against a license or privilege to practice;

     (iv) Non-confidential information related to alternative program participation;

     (v) Any denial of application for licensure, and the reason(s) for such denial;

     (vi) Current significant investigative information; and

     (vii) Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact, as determined

by the rules of the commission.

     (c) Investigative information pertaining to a licensee in any member state will only be

available to other member states.

     (d) The commission shall promptly notify all member states of any adverse action taken

against a licensee or an individual applying for a license. Adverse action information pertaining to

a licensee in any member state will be available to any other member state.

     (e) Member states contributing information to the data system may designate information

that may not be shared with the public without the express permission of the contributing state.

     (f) Any information submitted to the data system that is subsequently required to be

expunged by the laws of the member state contributing the information shall be removed from the

data system.

     5-39.2-11. Rulemaking.

     (a) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently

achieve the purpose of the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the commission

exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the

compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the commission shall be invalid

and have no force or effect.

     (b) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth

in this section and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of

the date specified in each rule or amendment.

     (c) If a majority of the legislatures of the member states rejects a rule, by enactment of a

statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the compact within four (4) years of the date

of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any member state.

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     (d) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the

commission.

     (e) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and at

least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which the rule or rules will be considered and

voted upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking:

     (1) On the website of the commission or other publicly accessible platform; and

     (2) On the website of each member state professional counseling licensing board or other

publicly accessible platform or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish

proposed rules.

     (f) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include:

     (1) The proposed time, date, and location of the meeting in which the rule will be

considered and voted upon;

     (2) The text of the proposed rule or amendment and the reason for the proposed rule;

     (3) A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and

     (4) The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their

intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.

     (g) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit

written data, facts, opinions, and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.

     (h) The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule

or amendment if a hearing is requested by:

     (1) At least twenty-five (25) persons;

     (2) A state or federal governmental subdivision or agency; or

     (3) An association having at least twenty-five (25) members.

     (i) lf a hearing is held on the proposed rule or amendment, the commission shall publish

the place, time, and date of the scheduled public hearing. If the hearing is held via electronic means,

the commission shall publish the mechanism for access to the electronic hearing.

     (1) All persons wishing to be heard at the hearing shall notify the executive director of the

commission or other designated member in writing of their desire to appear and testify at the

hearing not less than five (5) business days before the scheduled date of the hearing.

     (2) Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who elects to comment

with a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.

     (3) All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording will be made available on

request.

     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule.

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Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this section.

     (j) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled

hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral

comments received.

     (k) If no written notice of intent to attend the public hearing by interested parties is

received, the commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule without a public

hearing.

     (l) The commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on the proposed

rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and

the full text of the rule.

     (m) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt

an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment, or hearing; provided that, the

usual rulemaking procedures provided in the compact and in this section shall be retroactively

applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the

effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be

adopted immediately in order to:

     (i) Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

     (ii) Prevent a loss of commission or member state funds;

     (iii) Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by

federal law or rule; or

     (iv) Protect public health and safety.

     (n) The commission or an authorized committee of the commission may direct revisions to

a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in

format, errors in consistency, or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted

on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a

period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the

revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing and delivered

to the chair of the commission prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the

revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not

take effect without the approval of the commission.

     5-39.2-12. Oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement.

     (a) Oversight.

     (1) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member

state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the

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compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated hereunder

shall have standing as statutory law.

     (2) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in any judicial or

administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to the subject matter of this compact which

may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the commission.

     (3) The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any such proceeding

and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service

of process to the commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this

compact, or promulgated rules.

     (b) Default, technical assistance, and termination.

     (1) If the commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of

its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the commission

shall:

     (i) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member states of the nature of

the default, the proposed means of curing the default and/or any other action to be taken by the

commission; and

     (ii) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

     (c) If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state may be terminated from

the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the member states, and all rights, privileges

and benefits conferred by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A

cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during

the period of default.

     (d) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means

of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given

by the commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's

legislature, and each of the member states.

     (e) A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and

liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend

beyond the effective date of termination.

     (f) The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default

or that has been terminated from the compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the

commission and the defaulting state.

     (g) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the U.S.

District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its

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principal offices. The prevailing member shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including

reasonable attorneys' fees.

     (h) Dispute Resolution.

     (1) Upon request by a member state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes

related to the compact that arise among member states and between member and non-member

states.

     (2) The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding

dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.

     (i) Enforcement.

     (1) The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the

provisions and rules of this compact.

     (2) By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District

Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the commission has its principal

offices against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact

and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and

damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing member shall be awarded

all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.

     (3) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The

commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.

     5-39.2-13. Date of implementation of the counseling compact commission and

associated rules, withdrawal and amendment.

     (a) The compact shall come into effect on the date on which the compact statute is enacted

into law in the tenth member state. The provisions, which become effective at that time, shall be

limited to the powers granted to the commission relating to assembly and the promulgation of rules.

Thereafter, the commission shall meet and exercise rulemaking powers necessary for the

implementation and administration of the compact.

     (b) Any state that joins the compact subsequent to the commission's initial adoption of the

rules shall be subject to the rules as they exist on the date on which the compact becomes law in

that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the commission shall have the full force

and effect of law on the day the compact becomes law in that state.

     (c) Any member state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the

same.

     (i) A member state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment

of the repealing statute.

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     (ii) Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's

professional counseling licensing board to comply with the investigative and adverse action

reporting requirements of this compact prior to the effective date of withdrawal.

     (d) Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any

professional counseling licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a member

state and a non-member state that does not conflict with the provisions of this compact.

     (e) This compact may be amended by the member states. No amendment to this compact

shall become effective and binding upon any member state until it is enacted into the laws of all

member states.

     5-39.2-14. Construction and severability.

     This compact shall be liberally construed in order to effectuate the purposes thereof. The

provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of

this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any member state or of the United

States or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held

invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any

government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be

held contrary to the constitution of any member state, the compact shall remain in full force and

effect as to the remaining member states and in full force and effect as to the member state affected

as to all severable matters.

     5-39.2-15. Binding effect of compact and other laws.

     (a) A licensee providing professional counseling services in a remote state under the

privilege to practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations, including scope of practice, of the

remote state.

     (b) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state that is not

inconsistent with the compact.

     (c) Any laws in a member state in conflict with the compact are superseded to the extent

of the conflict.

     (d) Any lawful actions of the commission, including all rules and bylaws properly

promulgated by the commission, are binding upon the member states.

     (e) All permissible agreements between the commission and the member states are binding

in accordance with their terms.

     (f) In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on

the legislature of any member state, the provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict

with the constitutional provision in question in that member state. The act also provides for the

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establishment of a commission which may promulgate rules, hire employees, purchase real estate

and fix their composition among other powers. The commission may levy on and collect an annual

assessment from each member state. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated

based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding

upon all member states. By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United

States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district court where the commission

has its principal office against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions

of the compact and its promulgated rules and by laws.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage by at least ten (10) states willing to

join as members of the compact.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- COUNSELING COMPACT

***

     This act would adopt a counseling compact for the interstate practice of licensed

professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling

services, by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses. This act would

further provide for the uniformity of professional counseling license requirements throughout the

United States to promote public safety and public health benefits and eliminate the necessity to

maintain licenses to practice in multiple states. The act would also provide for the establishment of

a commission which may promulgate rules, hire employees, and fix their compensation and

purchase real estate among other powers. The commission may levy on and collect an annual

assessment from each member state. The aggregate annual assessment amount would be allocated

based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which would promulgate a rule binding

upon all member states. By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United

States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district court where the commission

has its principal office against a member state in default to enforce compliance with the provisions

of the compact and its promulgated rules and by laws.

     This act would take effect upon passage by at least ten (10) states willing to join as

members of the compact.

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