                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

(EFFECTIVE PURSUANT TO § 14) SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT (§ 54.1-3709.4)

The General Assembly hereby enacts, and the Commonwealth of Virginia hereby
enters into, the Social Work Licensure Compact with any and all states legally
joining therein according to its terms, in the form substantially as follows:
		Social work licensure compact.
		§ 1. Purpose
		The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of Regulated
Social Workers by improving public access to competent Social Work Services. The
Compact preserves the regulatory authority of States to protect public health
and safety through the current system of State licensure.
		This Compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Increase public access to Social Work Services;

2. Reduce overly burdensome and duplicative requirements associated with holding
multiple licenses;

3. Enhance the Member States&#8217; ability to protect the public&#8217;s health
and safety;

4. Encourage the cooperation of Member States in regulating multistate practice;

5. Promote mobility and address workforce shortages by eliminating the necessity
for licenses in multiple States by providing for the mutual recognition of other
Member State licenses;

6. Support military families;

7. Facilitate the exchange of licensure and disciplinary information among
Member States;

8. Authorize all Member States to hold a Regulated Social Worker accountable for
abiding by a Member State&#8217;s laws, regulations, and applicable professional
standards in the Member State in which the client is located at the time care is
rendered; and

9. Allow for the use of telehealth to facilitate increased access to regulated
Social Work Services.
			&#xA7; 2.  Definitions.
			As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following
definitions shall apply:
			&#8220;Active Military Member&#8221; means any individual with full-time duty
status in the active armed forces of the United States including members of the
National Guard and Reserve.
			&#8220;Adverse Action&#8221; means any administrative, civil, equitable, or
criminal action permitted by a State&#8217;s laws which is imposed by a
Licensing Authority or other authority against a Regulated Social Worker,
including actions against an individual&#8217;s license or Multistate
Authorization to Practice such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring
of the Licensee, limitation on the Licensee&#8217;s practice, or any other
Encumbrance on licensure affecting a Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s
authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action.
			&#8220;Alternative Program&#8221; means a non-disciplinary monitoring or
practice remediation process approved by a Licensing Authority to address
practitioners with an Impairment.
			&#8220;Charter Member States&#8221; means Member States who have enacted
legislation to adopt this Compact where such legislation predates the effective
date of this Compact as described in &#xA7; 14.
			&#8220;Compact Commission&#8221; or &#8220;Commission&#8221; means the
government agency whose membership consists of all States that have enacted this
Compact, which is known as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission, as
described in &#xA7; 10, and which shall operate as an instrumentality of the
Member States.
			&#8220;Current Significant Investigative Information&#8221; means:

1. Investigative information that a Licensing Authority, after a preliminary
inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the Regulated Social
Worker to respond has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true,
would indicate more than a minor infraction as may be defined by the Commission;
or

2. Investigative information that indicates that the Regulated Social Worker
represents an immediate threat to public health and safety, as may be defined by
the Commission, regardless of whether the Regulated Social Worker has been
notified and has had an opportunity to respond.
			&#8220;Data System&#8221; means a repository of information about Licensees,
including, continuing education, examination, licensure, Current Significant
Investigative Information, Disqualifying Event, Multistate License(s), and
Adverse Action information or other information as required by the Commission.
			&#8220;Domicile&#8221; means the jurisdiction in which the Licensee resides
and intends to remain indefinitely.
			&#8220;Disqualifying Event&#8221; means any Adverse Action or incident which
results in an Encumbrance that disqualifies or makes the Licensee ineligible to
either obtain, retain, or renew a Multistate License.
			&#8220;Encumbrance&#8221; means a revocation or suspension of, or any
limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of Social Work licensed and
regulated by a Licensing Authority.
			&#8220;Executive Committee&#8221; means a group of delegates elected or
appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the
Compact and Commission.
			&#8220;Home State&#8221; means the Member State that is the Licensee&#8217;s
primary Domicile.
			&#8220;Impairment&#8221; means a condition(s) that may impair a
practitioner&#8217;s ability to engage in full and unrestricted practice as a
Regulated Social Worker without some type of intervention and may include
alcohol and drug dependence, mental health impairment, and neurological or
physical impairments.
			&#8220;Licensee(s)&#8221; means an individual who currently holds a license
from a State to practice as a Regulated Social Worker.
			&#8220;Licensing Authority&#8221; means the board or agency of a Member State
or equivalent that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of Regulated
Social Workers.
			&#8220;Member State&#8221; means a state, commonwealth, district, or
territory of the United States of America that has enacted this Compact.
			&#8220;Multistate Authorization to Practice&#8221; means a legally authorized
privilege to practice, which is equivalent to a license, associated with a
Multistate License permitting the practice of Social Work in a Remote State.
			&#8220;Multistate License&#8221; means a license to practice as a Regulated
Social Worker issued by a Home State Licensing Authority that authorizes the
Regulated Social Worker to practice in all Member States under Multistate
Authorization to Practice.
			&#8220;Qualifying National Exam&#8221; means a national licensing examination
approved by the Commission.
			&#8220;Regulated Social Worker&#8221; means any clinical, master&#8217;s or
bachelor&#8217;s Social Worker licensed by a Member State regardless of the
title used by that Member State.
			&#8220;Remote State&#8221; means a Member State other than the
Licensee&#8217;s Home State.
			&#8220;Rule(s)&#8221; or &#8220;Rule(s) of the Commission&#8221; means a
regulation or regulations duly promulgated by the Commission, as authorized by
the Compact, that has the force of law.
			&#8220;Single State License&#8221; means a Social Work license issued by any
State that authorizes practice only within the issuing State and does not
include Multistate Authorization to Practice in any Member State.
			&#8220;Social Work&#8221; or &#8220;Social Work Services&#8221; means the
application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the
professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or
biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups,
organizations, and communities through the care and services provided by a
Regulated Social Worker as set forth in the Member State&#8217;s statutes and
regulations in the State where the services are being provided.
			&#8220;State&#8221; means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of
the United States of America that regulates the practice of Social Work.
			&#8220;Unencumbered License&#8221; means a license that authorizes a
Regulated Social Worker to engage in the full and unrestricted practice of
Social Work.
			§ 3.  State Participation in the Compact.

   A. To be eligible to participate in the Compact, a potential Member State must
   currently meet all of the following criteria:

1. License and regulate the practice of Social Work at either the clinical,
master&#8217;s, or bachelor&#8217;s category.

2. Require applicants for licensure to graduate from a program that is:
			a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority;
			b. Accredited, or in candidacy by an institution that subsequently becomes
accredited, by an accrediting agency recognized by either:

   1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or its successor; or

   2. The United States Department of Education; and
   				c. Corresponds to the licensure sought as outlined in &#xA7; 4.

3. Require applicants for clinical licensure to complete a period of supervised
practice.

4. Have a mechanism in place for receiving, investigating, and adjudicating
complaints about Licensees.

   B. To maintain membership in the Compact a Member State shall:

1. Require that applicants for a Multistate License pass a Qualifying National
Exam for the corresponding category of Multistate License sought as outlined in
&#xA7; 4;

2. Participate fully in the Commission&#8217;s Data System, including using the
Commission&#8217;s unique identifier as defined in Rules;

3. Notify the Commission, in compliance with the terms of the Compact and Rules,
of any Adverse Action or the availability of Current Significant Investigative
Information regarding a Licensee;

4. Implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of
applicants for a Multistate License. Such procedures shall include the
submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants
for the purpose of obtaining an applicant&#8217;s criminal history record
information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible
for retaining that State&#8217;s criminal records;

5. Comply with the Rules of the Commission;

6. Require an applicant to obtain or retain a license in the Home State and meet
the Home State&#8217;s qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as
well as all other applicable Home State laws;

7. Authorize a Licensee holding a Multistate License in any Member State to
practice in accordance with the terms of the Compact and Rules of the
Commission; and

8. Designate a delegate to participate in the Commission meetings.

   C. A Member State meeting the requirements of &#xA7;&#xA7; 3 A and 3 B of this
   Compact shall designate the categories of Social Work licensure that are
   eligible for issuance of a Multistate License for applicants in such Member
   State. To the extent that any Member State does not meet the requirements for
   participation in the Compact at any particular category of Social Work
   licensure, such Member State may choose, but is not obligated to, issue a
   Multistate License to applicants that otherwise meet the requirements of
   &#xA7; 4 for issuance of a Multistate License in such category or categories
   of licensure.

   D. The Home State may charge a fee for granting the Multistate License.
   				&#xA7; 4.  Social Worker Participation in the Compact.

   A. To be eligible for a Multistate License under the terms and provisions of
   the Compact, an applicant, regardless of category must:

1. Hold or be eligible for an active, Unencumbered License in the Home State.

2. Pay any applicable fees, including any State fee, for the Multistate License.

3. Submit, in connection with an application for a Multistate License,
fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal
history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the
agency responsible for retaining that State&#8217;s criminal records.

4. Notify the Home State of any Adverse Action, Encumbrance, or restriction on
any professional license taken by any Member State or non-Member State within 30
days from the date the action is taken.

5. Meet any continuing competence requirements established by the Home State.

6. Abide by the laws, regulations, and applicable standards in the Member State
where the client is located at the time care is rendered.

   B. An applicant for a clinical-category Multistate License must meet all of
   the following requirements:

1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either:
			a. Passage of a clinical-category Qualifying National Exam; or
			b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the clinical category,
beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was required by the
Home State and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work licensure
thereafter, all of which may be further governed by the Rules of the Commission;
or
			c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements which
the Commission may determine by Rule.

2. Attain at least a master&#8217;s degree in Social Work from a program that
is:
			a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority;
and
			b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an
accrediting agency recognized by either:

   1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or

   2. The United States Department of Education.

3. Fulfill a practice requirement, which shall be satisfied by demonstrating
completion of either:
			a. A period of postgraduate supervised clinical practice equal to a minimum
of three thousand hours; or
			b. A minimum of two years of full-time postgraduate supervised clinical
practice; or
			c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing practice requirements which
the Commission may determine by Rule.

   C. An applicant for a master&#8217;s-category Multistate License must meet all
   of the following requirements:

1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either:
			a. Passage of a masters-category Qualifying National Exam;
			b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the master&#8217;s
category, beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was
required by the Home State at the master&#8217;s category and accompanied by a
continuous period of Social Work licensure thereafter, all of which may be
further governed by the Rules of the Commission; or
			c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements which
the Commission may determine by Rule.

2. Attain at least a master&#8217;s degree in Social Work from a program that
is:
			a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority;
and
			b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an
accrediting agency recognized by either:

   1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or

   2. The United States Department of Education.

   D. An applicant for a bachelor&#8217;s-category Multistate License must meet
   all of the following requirements:

1. Fulfill a competency requirement, which shall be satisfied by either:
			a. Passage of a bachelor&#8217;s-category Qualifying National Exam;
			b. Licensure of the applicant in their Home State at the bachelor&#8217;s
category, beginning prior to such time as a Qualifying National Exam was
required by the Home State and accompanied by a period of continuous Social Work
licensure thereafter, all of which may be further governed by the Rules of the
Commission; or
			c. The substantial equivalency of the foregoing competency requirements which
the Commission may determine by Rule.

2. Attain at least a bachelor&#8217;s degree in Social Work from a program that
is:
			a. Operated by a college or university recognized by the Licensing Authority;
and
			b. Accredited, or in candidacy that subsequently becomes accredited, by an
accrediting agency recognized by either:

   1. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor; or

   2. The United States Department of Education.

   E. The Multistate License for a Regulated Social Worker is subject to the
   renewal requirements of the Home State. The Regulated Social Worker must
   maintain compliance with the requirements of &#xA7; 4 A to be eligible to
   renew a Multistate License.

   F. The Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s services in a Remote State are subject
   to that Member State&#8217;s regulatory authority. A Remote State may, in
   accordance with due process and that Member State&#8217;s laws, remove a
   Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s Multistate Authorization to Practice in the
   Remote State for a specific period of time, impose fines, and take any other
   necessary actions to protect the health and safety of its citizens.

   G. If a Multistate License is encumbered, the Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s
   Multistate Authorization to Practice shall be deactivated in all Remote States
   until the Multistate License is no longer encumbered.

   H. If a Multistate Authorization to Practice is encumbered in a Remote State,
   the regulated Social Worker&#8217;s Multistate Authorization to Practice may
   be deactivated in that State until the Multistate Authorization to Practice is
   no longer encumbered.
   				&#xA7; 5.  Issuance of a Multistate License.

   A. Upon receipt of an application for Multistate License, the Home State
   Licensing Authority shall determine the applicant&#8217;s eligibility for a
   Multistate License in accordance with &#xA7; 4 of this Compact.

   B. If such applicant is eligible pursuant to &#xA7; 4 of this Compact, the
   Home State Licensing Authority shall issue a Multistate License that
   authorizes the applicant or Regulated Social Worker to practice in all Member
   States under a Multistate Authorization to Practice.

   C. Upon issuance of a Multistate License, the Home State Licensing Authority
   shall designate whether the Regulated Social Worker holds a Multistate License
   in the Bachelor&#8217;s, Masters, or Clinical category of Social Work.

   D. A Multistate License issued by a Home State to a resident in that State
   shall be recognized by all Compact Member States as authorizing Social Work
   Practice under a Multistate Authorization to Practice corresponding to each
   category of licensure regulated in each Member State.
   				&#xA7; 6.  Authority of Interstate Compact Commission and Member State
   Licensing Authorities.

   A. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed
   to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to
   enact and enforce laws, regulations, or other rules related to the practice of
   Social Work in that State, where those laws, regulations, or other rules are
   not inconsistent with the provisions of this Compact.

   B. Nothing in this Compact shall affect the requirements established by a
   Member State for the issuance of a Single State License.

   C. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed
   to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Member State to take
   Adverse Action against a Licensee&#8217;s Single State License to practice
   Social Work in that State.

   D. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed
   to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Remote State to take
   Adverse Action against a Licensee&#8217;s Multistate Authorization to Practice
   in that State.

   E. Nothing in this Compact, nor any Rule of the Commission, shall be construed
   to limit, restrict, or in any way reduce the ability of a Licensee&#8217;s
   Home State to take Adverse Action against a Licensee&#8217;s Multistate
   License based upon information provided by a Remote State.
   				&#xA7; 7.  Reissuance of a Multistate License by a New Home State.

   A. A Licensee can hold a Multistate License, issued by their Home State, in
   only one Member State at any given time.

   B. If a Licensee changes their Home State by moving between two Member States:

1. The Licensee shall immediately apply for the reissuance of their Multistate
License in their new Home State. The Licensee shall pay all applicable fees and
notify the prior Home State in accordance with the Rules of the Commission.

2. Upon receipt of an application to reissue a Multistate License, the new Home
State shall verify that the Multistate License is active, unencumbered, and
eligible for reissuance under the terms of the Compact and the Rules of the
Commission. The Multistate License issued by the prior Home State will be
deactivated and all Member States notified in accordance with the applicable
Rules adopted by the Commission.

3. Prior to the reissuance of the Multistate License, the new Home State shall
conduct procedures for considering the criminal history records of the Licensee.
Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other
biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an
applicant&#8217;s criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that State&#8217;s
criminal records.

4. If required for initial licensure, the new Home State may require completion
of jurisprudence requirements in the new Home State.

5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact, if a Licensee does not
meet the requirements set forth in this Compact for the reissuance of a
Multistate License by the new Home State, then the Licensee shall be subject to
the new Home State requirements for the issuance of a Single State License in
that State.

   C. If a Licensee changes their 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, then the Licensee shall be subject to the State requirements for the
   issuance of a Single State License in the new Home State.

   D. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with a Licensee&#8217;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, and only one
   Multistate License.

   E. Nothing in this Compact shall interfere with the requirements established
   by a Member State for the issuance of a Single State License.
   				&#xA7; 8.  Military Families.
   				An Active Military Member or their spouse shall designate a Home State
   where the individual has a Multistate License. The individual may retain their
   Home State designation during the period the service member is on active duty.
   				&#xA7; 9.  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 Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s Multistate
Authorization to Practice only within that Member State, and 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
Authority 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 Licensing Authority shall pay any witness fees, travel
expenses, mileage, and other fees required by the service statutes of the State
in which the witnesses or evidence are located.

2. Only the Home State shall have the power to take Adverse Action against a
Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s Multistate License.

   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 Regulated
   Social Worker who changes their Home State during the course of the
   investigations. The Home State shall also have the authority to take
   appropriate action(s) and shall promptly report the conclusions of the
   investigations to the administrator of the Data System. The administrator of
   the Data 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 Regulated Social Worker the costs of investigations and dispositions
   of cases resulting from any Adverse Action taken against that Regulated Social
   Worker.

   E. A Member State may take Adverse Action based on the factual findings of
   another Member 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
Social Work practice act 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 Multistate License
   of a Regulated Social Worker, the Regulated Social Worker&#8217;s Multistate
   Authorization to Practice in all other Member States shall be deactivated
   until all Encumbrances have been removed from the Multistate License. All Home
   State disciplinary orders that impose Adverse Action against the license of a
   Regulated Social Worker shall include a statement that the Regulated Social
   Worker&#8217;s Multistate Authorization to Practice is deactivated in all
   Member States until all conditions of the decision, order, or agreement are
   satisfied.

   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 and all other Member States of any Adverse
   Actions by Remote States.

   I. Nothing in this Compact shall override a Member State&#8217;s decision that
   participation in an Alternative Program may be used in lieu of Adverse Action.

   J. Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to demand the
   issuance of subpoenas for attendance and testimony of witnesses or the
   production of evidence from another Member State for lawful actions within
   that Member State.

   K. Nothing in this Compact shall authorize a Member State to impose discipline
   against a Regulated Social Worker who holds a Multistate Authorization to
   Practice for lawful actions within another Member State.
   				&#xA7; 10.  Establishment of Social Work Licensure Compact Commission.

   A. The Compact Member States hereby create and establish a joint government
   agency whose membership consists of all Member States that have enacted the
   compact known as the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. The Commission
   is an instrumentality of the Compact States acting jointly and not an
   instrumentality of any one State. The Commission shall come into existence on
   or after the effective date of the Compact as set forth in &#xA7; 14.

   B. Membership, Voting, and Meetings:

1. Each Member State shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate selected by
that Member State&#8217;s State Licensing Authority.

2. The delegate shall be either:
			a. A current member of the State Licensing Authority at the time of
appointment, who is a Regulated Social Worker or public member of the State
Licensing Authority; or
			b. An administrator of the State Licensing Authority or their designee.

3. The Commission shall by Rule or bylaw establish a term of office for
delegates and may by Rule or bylaw establish term limits.

4. The Commission may recommend removal or suspension of any delegate from
office.

5. A Member State&#8217;s State Licensing Authority shall fill any vacancy of
its delegate occurring on the Commission within 60 days of the vacancy.

6. Each delegate shall be entitled to one vote on all matters before the
Commission requiring a vote by Commission delegates.

7. A delegate shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the
bylaws. The bylaws may provide for delegates to meet by telecommunication,
videoconference, or other means of communication.

8. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional
meetings may be held as set forth in the bylaws. The Commission may meet by
telecommunication, video conference, or other similar electronic means.

   C. The Commission shall have the following powers:

1. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission;

2. Establish code of conduct and conflict of interest policies;

3. Establish and amend Rules and bylaws;

4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws;

5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this
Compact, the Commission&#8217;s Rules, and the bylaws;

6. Initiate and conclude 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. Maintain and certify records and information provided to a Member State as
the authenticated business records of the Commission, and designate an agent to
do so on the Commission&#8217;s behalf;

8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;

9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not
limited to, employees of a Member State;

10. Conduct an annual financial review;

11. 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&#8217;s personnel policies and programs
relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other
related personnel matters;

12. Assess and collect fees;

13. Accept any and all appropriate gifts, donations, grants of money, other
sources of revenue, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and receive,
utilize, and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the Commission
shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;

14. Lease, purchase, retain, own, hold, improve, or use any property, real,
personal, or mixed, or any undivided interest therein;

15. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise
dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed;

16. Establish a budget and make expenditures;

17. Borrow money;

18. 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;

19. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement
agencies;

20. Establish and elect an Executive Committee, including a chair and a vice
chair;

21. Determine whether a State&#8217;s adopted language is materially different
from the model compact language such that the State would not qualify for
participation in the Compact; and

22. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve
the purposes of this Compact.

   D. The Executive Committee:

1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the
Commission according to the terms of this Compact. The powers, duties, and
responsibilities of the Executive Committee shall include:
			a. Oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact
including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its
Rules and bylaws, and other such duties as deemed necessary;
			b. Recommend to the Commission changes to the Rules or bylaws, changes to
this Compact legislation, fees charged to Compact Member States, fees charged to
Licensees, and other fees;
			c. Ensure Compact administration services are appropriately provided,
including by contract;
			d. Prepare and recommend the budget;
			e. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission;
			f. Monitor Compact compliance of Member States and provide compliance reports
to the Commission;
			g. Establish additional committees as necessary;
			h. Exercise the powers and duties of the Commission during the interim
between Commission meetings, except for adopting or amending Rules, adopting or
amending bylaws, and exercising any other powers and duties expressly reserved
to the Commission by Rule or bylaw; and
			i. Other duties as provided in the Rules or bylaws of the Commission.

2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to eleven (11) members:
			a. The chair and vice chair of the Commission shall be voting members of the
Executive Committee; and
			b. The Commission shall elect five voting members from the current membership
of the Commission.
			c. Up to four (4) ex-officio, nonvoting members from four (4) recognized
national Social Work organizations.
			d. The ex-officio members will be selected by their respective organizations.

3. The Commission may remove any member of the Executive Committee as provided
in the Commission&#8217;s bylaws.

4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least annually.
			a. Executive Committee meetings shall be open to the public, except that the
Executive Committee may meet in a closed, non-public meeting as provided in
subsection F 2 below.
			b. The Executive Committee shall give seven (7) days&#8217; notice of its
meetings, posted on its website and as determined to provide notice to persons
with an interest in the business of the Commission.
			c. The Executive Committee may hold a special meeting in accordance with
subsection F.1.b. below.

   E. The Commission shall adopt and provide to the Member States an annual
   report.

   F. Meetings of the Commission:

1. All meetings shall be open to the public, except that the Commission may meet
in a closed, non-public meeting as provided in subsection F 2 below.
			a. Public notice for all meetings of the full Commission of meetings shall be
given in the same manner as required under the Rulemaking provisions in &#xA7;
12, except that the Commission may hold a special meeting as provided in
subsection F 1 b below.
			b. The Commission may hold a special meeting when it must meet to conduct
emergency business by giving 48 hours&#8217; notice to all commissioners, on the
Commission&#8217;s website, and other means as provided in the
Commission&#8217;s Rules. The Commission&#8217;s legal counsel shall certify
that the Commission&#8217;s need to meet qualifies as an emergency.

2. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the
Commission may convene in a closed, non-public meeting for the Commission or
Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission to receive legal
advice or to discuss:
			a. Non-compliance of a Member State with its obligations under the Compact;
			b. The employment, compensation, discipline, or other matters, practices, or
procedures related to specific employees;
			c. Current or threatened discipline of a Licensee by the Commission or by a
Member State&#8217;s Licensing Authority;
			d. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation;
			e. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods,
services, or real estate;
			f. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;
			g. Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or
confidential;
			h. Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a
clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
			i. Investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
			j. 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;
			k. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or Member State
law; or
			l. Other matters as promulgated by the Commission by Rule.

3. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed, the presiding officer shall
state that the meeting will be closed and reference each relevant exempting
provision, and such reference shall be recorded in the minutes.

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 therefor, 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 only by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a
court of competent jurisdiction.

   G. 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 as provided
in subsection C 13.

3. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each Member
State and impose fees on Licensees of Member States to whom it grants a
Multistate License 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 for Member States shall be
allocated based upon a formula that the Commission shall promulgate by Rule.

4. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the
funds 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 financial review and accounting procedures established under its bylaws.
However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Commission shall
be subject to an annual financial review by a certified or licensed public
accountant, and the report of the financial review shall be included in and
become part of the annual report of the Commission.

   H. Qualified Immunity, Defense, and Indemnification:

1. The members, officers, executive director, employees, and representatives of
the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, both personally and 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 paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from
suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the
intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person. The procurement of
insurance of any type by the Commission shall not in any way compromise or limit
the immunity granted hereunder.

2. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director,
employee, and 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 as determined by the Commission 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 their
own counsel at their own expense; and provided further, that the actual or
alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person&#8217;s
intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.

3. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer,
executive director, employee, and 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.

4. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the liability of any
Licensee for professional malpractice or misconduct, which shall be governed
solely by any other applicable State laws.

5. Nothing in this Compact shall be interpreted to waive or otherwise abrogate a
Member State&#8217;s state action immunity or state action affirmative defense
with respect to antitrust claims under the Sherman Act, Clayton Act, or any
other State or federal antitrust or anticompetitive law or regulation.

6. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign
immunity by the Member States or by the Commission.
			§ 11.  Data System.

   A. The Commission shall provide for the development, maintenance, operation,
   and utilization of a coordinated Data System.

   B. The Commission shall assign each applicant for a Multistate License a
   unique identifier, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.

   C. 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:

1. Identifying information;

2. Licensure data;

3. Adverse Actions against a license and information related thereto;

4. Non-confidential information related to Alternative Program participation,
the beginning and ending dates of such participation, and other information
related to such participation not made confidential under Member State law;

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

6. The presence of Current Significant Investigative Information; and

7. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this Compact or
the protection of the public, as determined by the Rules of the Commission.

   D. The records and information provided to a Member State pursuant to this
   Compact or through the Data System, when certified by the Commission or an
   agent thereof, shall constitute the authenticated business records of the
   Commission, and shall be entitled to any associated hearsay exception in any
   relevant judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative proceedings in a Member
   State.

   E. Current Significant Investigative Information pertaining to a Licensee in
   any Member State will only be available to other Member States.
   				It is the responsibility of the Member States to report any Adverse Action
   against a Licensee and to monitor the database to determine whether Adverse
   Action has been taken against a Licensee. Adverse Action information
   pertaining to a Licensee in any Member State will be available to any other
   Member State.

   F. 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. Any information submitted to the Data
   System that is subsequently expunged pursuant to federal law or the laws of
   the Member State contributing the information shall be removed from the Data
   System.
   				&#xA7; 12.  Rulemaking.

   A. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable Rules in order to effectively
   and efficiently implement and administer the purposes and provisions of the
   Compact. A Rule shall be invalid and have no force or effect only if a court
   of competent jurisdiction holds that the Rule is invalid because the
   Commission exercised its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the
   scope and purposes of the Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, or based
   upon another applicable standard of review.

   B. The Rules of the Commission shall have the force of law in each Member
   State, provided however that where the Rules of the Commission conflict with
   the laws of the Member State that establish the Member State&#8217;s laws,
   regulations, and applicable standards that govern the practice of Social Work
   as held by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Rules of the Commission
   shall be ineffective in that State to the extent of the conflict.

   C. The Commission shall exercise its Rulemaking powers pursuant to the
   criteria set forth in this Section and the Rules adopted thereunder. Rules
   shall become binding on the day following adoption or the date specified in
   the rule or amendment, whichever is later.

   D. If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States rejects a Rule or
   portion of 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.

   E. Rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the Commission.

   F. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule, the Commission shall hold a public
   hearing and allow persons to provide oral and written comments, data, facts,
   opinions, and arguments.

   G. Prior to adoption of a proposed Rule by the Commission, and at least thirty
   (30) days in advance of the meeting at which the Commission will hold a public
   hearing on the proposed Rule, the Commission shall provide a Notice of
   Proposed Rulemaking:

1. On the website of the Commission or other publicly accessible platform;

2. To persons who have requested notice of the Commission&#8217;s notices of
proposed rulemaking; and

3. In such other way(s) as the Commission may by Rule specify.

   H. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking shall include:

1. The time, date, and location of the public hearing at which the Commission
will hear public comments on the proposed Rule and, if different, the time,
date, and location of the meeting where the Commission will consider and vote on
the proposed Rule;

2. If the hearing is held via telecommunication, video conference, or other
electronic means, the Commission shall include the mechanism for access to the
hearing in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking;

3. The text of the proposed Rule and the reason therefor;

4. A request for comments on the proposed Rule from any interested person; and

5. The manner in which interested persons may submit written comments.

   I. All hearings will be recorded. A copy of the recording and all written
   comments and documents received by the Commission in response to the proposed
   Rule shall be available to the public.

   J. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing
   on each Rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the Commission at
   hearings required by this Section.

   K. The Commission shall, by majority vote of all members, take final action on
   the proposed Rule based on the Rulemaking record and the full text of the
   Rule.

1. The Commission may adopt changes to the proposed Rule provided the changes do
not enlarge the original purpose of the proposed Rule.

2. The Commission shall provide an explanation of the reasons for substantive
changes made to the proposed Rule as well as reasons for substantive changes not
made that were recommended by commenters.

3. The Commission shall determine a reasonable effective date for the Rule.
Except for an emergency as provided in § 12 L, the effective date of the Rule
shall be no sooner than 30 days after issuing the notice that it adopted or
amended the Rule.

   L. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider
   and adopt an emergency Rule with 48 hours&#8217; notice, with opportunity to
   comment, 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:

1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare;

2. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;

3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of a Rule that is established by federal
law or rule; or

4. Protect public health and safety.

   M. The Commission or an authorized committee of the Commission may direct
   revisions to a previously adopted Rule 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 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.

   N. No Member State&#8217;s rulemaking requirements shall apply under this
   compact.
   				&#xA7; 13.  Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and Enforcement.

   A. Oversight:

1. The executive and judicial branches of State government in each Member State
shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to
implement the Compact.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this Compact, 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. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the
selection or propriety of venue in any action against a Licensee for
professional malpractice, misconduct, or any such similar matter.

3. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any
proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the Compact and shall
have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to
provide the Commission service of process 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 provide written notice to the defaulting
State. The notice of default shall describe the default, the proposed means of
curing the default, and any other action that the Commission may take, and shall
offer training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.

2. The Commission shall provide a copy of the notice of default to the other
Member States.

   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
   delegates of the Member States, and all rights, privileges, and benefits
   conferred on that State 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&#8217;s legislature, the
   defaulting State&#8217;s State Licensing Authority and each of the Member
   States&#8217; State Licensing Authority.

   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. Upon the termination of a State&#8217;s membership from this Compact, that
   State shall immediately provide notice to all Licensees within that State of
   such termination. The terminated State shall continue to recognize all
   licenses granted pursuant to this Compact for a minimum of six (6) months
   after the date of said notice of termination.

   G. 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.

   H. 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 principal offices. The prevailing party shall be
   awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.

   I. 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.

   J. Enforcement:

1. By majority vote as provided by Rule, the Commission may initiate legal
action against a Member State in default in the United States District Court for
the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its
principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and
its promulgated Rules. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and
damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party
shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney
fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission.
The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or the
defaulting Member State&#8217;s law.

2. A Member State may initiate legal action against the Commission in the U.S.
District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the
Commission has its principal offices to enforce compliance with the provisions
of the Compact and its promulgated Rules. The relief sought may include both
injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary,
the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including
reasonable attorney fees.

3. No person other than a Member State shall enforce this compact against the
Commission.
			§ 14.  Effective Date, Withdrawal, and Amendment.

   A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute
   is enacted into law in the seventh Member State.

1. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene
and review the enactment of each of the first seven Member States
(&#8220;Charter Member States&#8221;) to determine if the statute enacted by
each such Charter Member State is materially different than the model Compact
statute.
			a. A Charter Member State whose enactment is found to be materially different
from the model Compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set
forth in &#xA7; 13.
			b. If any Member State is later found to be in default, or is terminated or
withdraws from the Compact, the Commission shall remain in existence and the
Compact shall remain in effect even if the number of Member States should be
less than seven.

2. Member States enacting the Compact subsequent to the seven initial Charter
Member States shall be subject to the process set forth in &#xA7; 10 C 21 to
determine if their enactments are materially different from the model Compact
statute and whether they qualify for participation in the Compact.

3. All actions taken for the benefit of the Commission or in furtherance of the
purposes of the administration of the Compact prior to the effective date of the
Compact or the Commission coming into existence shall be considered to be
actions of the Commission unless specifically repudiated by the Commission.

4. Any State that joins the Compact subsequent to the Commission&#8217;s initial
adoption of the Rules and bylaws shall be subject to the Rules and bylaws 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.

   B. Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute
   repealing the same.

1. A Member State&#8217;s withdrawal shall not take effect until 180 days after
enactment of the repealing statute.

2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing
State&#8217;s Licensing Authority to comply with the investigative and Adverse
Action reporting requirements of this Compact prior to the effective date of
withdrawal.

3. Upon the enactment of a statute withdrawing from this compact, a State shall
immediately provide notice of such withdrawal to all Licensees within that
State. Notwithstanding any subsequent statutory enactment to the contrary, such
withdrawing State shall continue to recognize all licenses granted pursuant to
this compact for a minimum of 180 days after the date of such notice of
withdrawal.

   C. Nothing contained in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or
   prevent any 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.

   D. 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.
   				&#xA7; 15.  Construction and Severability.

   A. This Compact and the Commission&#8217;s rulemaking authority shall be
   liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes, and the implementation
   and administration of the Compact. Provisions of the Compact expressly
   authorizing or requiring the promulgation of Rules shall not be construed to
   limit the Commission&#8217;s rulemaking authority solely for those purposes.

   B. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase,
   clause, sentence, or provision of this Compact is held by a court of competent
   jurisdiction to be contrary to the constitution of any Member State, a State
   seeking participation in the Compact, or of the United States, or the
   applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is
   held to be unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity
   of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any other
   government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

   C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this Section, the Commission may deny a
   State&#8217;s participation in the Compact or, in accordance with the
   requirements of &#xA7; 13.B, terminate a Member State&#8217;s participation in
   the Compact, if it determines that a constitutional requirement of a Member
   State is a material departure from the Compact. Otherwise, if this Compact
   shall be held to be 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.
   				&#xA7; 16.  Consistent Effect and Conflict with Other State Laws.

   A. A Licensee providing services in a Remote State under a Multistate
   Authorization to Practice shall adhere to the laws and regulations, including
   laws, regulations, and applicable standards, of the Remote State where the
   client is located at the time care is rendered.

   B. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of
   a Member State that is not inconsistent with the Compact.

   C. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Member
   State in conflict with the Compact are superseded to the extent of the
   conflict.

   D. All permissible agreements between the Commission and the Member States are
   binding in accordance with their terms.

HISTORY: 2024, cc. 690, 704.