Ratification of the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

2. A process whereby a licensee may obtain a compact privilege to practice in another member state. A licensee's primary state of residence is considered to be his or her home state, and any other member state in which the licensee seeks to practice is considered a remote state. A licensee providing occupational therapy in a remote state under a compact privilege is subject to that state's regulatory authority. A remote state may take action against a licensee's compact privilege in the remote state, and the licensee is then not eligible for a compact privilege in any state until certain criteria are met. If a licensee's compact privilege in any remote state is removed, the individual may lose his or her compact privilege in any remote state until certain criteria are met. However, a home state has the exclusive power to impose adverse action against a license issued by the home state. If a home state license is encumbered (i.e., suspended), the licensee's compact privilege in any remote state is deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the home state license. Member states may charge a fee for granting a compact privilege and may impose a jurisprudence requirement for granting a compact privilege that assesses an individual's knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of occupational therapy in a particular state.

3. The ability for member boards to conduct joint investigations of licensees and the ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other states.

4. The creation of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure, adverse action, and investigative information on all licensed individuals in member states. A member state must 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.

5. Various provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between the commission and member states and between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a state's membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the compact.

The compact becomes effective in this state upon enactment of the bill or upon enactment of the compact in ten states, whichever occurs later. The compact provides that it may be amended upon enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until six months after the effective date of that repeal.